Arular

Have you heard the one about Sean Carter and Maya Arulpragasam, better known as rapper turned Def Jam Records President Jay-Z, and political refugee turned London-based musician, M.I.A., respectively? One of the more fascinating and pleasantly surprising rumors currently circulating pop culture would have to be Jay-Z’s apparent excitement over the release of Maya’s genre-meshing debut album, Arular. Could there be a better endorsement for a new artist in music right now than from Beyonce’s fiance? It’s practically the same as President Bush volunteering to change the oil in My Man Mitch’s sport utility vehicle. (That never happened, for the record, and won’t.) 

You can’t blame Sir Elton for trying time and time again to attach his name to whoever the current up-’n’-comer may be. After all, it does keep his name near the vanguard of piano pop. Jay-Z, on the other hand, has never come cheap. Collaborators and girlfriends aside, Arular marks the first Hova-endorsement that seems genuine. Now you might be saying, “He’s a rapper, right?” or “He did an album with freaking Linkin Park!” Nonetheless, he’s a responsible, intelligent man with judicious taste.

Rooted in dance/electronic (but don’t call it techno) music, Arular is an addictive blend of pop, reggae, dance hall, world, soul and hip-hop music, typically all at once. Maya’s backstory, as hinted at earlier, provides much of the fuel for her always political, albeit wonderfully frisky lyrics. Born in Sri Lanka, Maya and the Arulpragasam family were forced to flee to London due to her father’s now eminent revolutionary work in 80s. Spending most of her formative years in London, Maya became interested in music, eventually going on to work with a gang of famed electronic musicians, including her now-beau, and producer of the moment, Diplo.

I’ve never been too attentive to techno or dance music. At times, it’s provided me a good diversion when I’ve been forced to dance (completely sober), but never on my own (again, sober) time have I listened to an Aphex Twin or Daft Punk album. Arular might be a dance album at heart, but it’s not made for fans of techno, electronica, house, etc.; M.I.A.’s ambition with her audience is much more sprawling than anything a genre can communicate to you. I figure that if she can get me, someone who admits to not ever understanding the appeal of techno music, to love her music, then she just might be able to get you (or you, and you).

Balancing her politics with a penchant for partying, M.I.A. sings, raps and churns her way through nine irresistible songs, adding three equally catchy, hilarious skits along the way. Much like the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Karen O, M.I.A. wins over listeners with her unusual vocal approach and attention to detail in her music. While it may not be the most compelling description of all time, it seems somewhat necessary to liken M.I.A.’s work to that of R&B star Kelis, specifically her recent hit song, “Milkshake,” which was, without a doubt, one of the typical whatzup reader’s most hated songs ever. Just imagine a brainy version of “Milkshake” heard through the ears of a Neu! fan. Really though, Arular is just flat out hard to explain with words, thus the need for vile analogies.

If an album as unique and creative as Arular hits again in 2005, it’ll be a miracle. If an album as catchy and fun as Arular hits again in 2005, it’ll be a marvel. If Maya Arulpragasam (and Jay-Z) don’t somehow push the album to some sort of fickle, Mtv2 fame, it’ll be a shame. Arular needs to be heard, just ask Hovito.     9/10

Written by G. William Locke