Piracy Funds Terrorism
Encyclopedia
Piracy Funds Terrorism Volume 1, usually referred to simply as Piracy Funds Terrorism, is a mixtape
produced by British recording artist M.I.A.
and American DJ Diplo featuring vocal tracks intended for M.I.A.'s debut album Arular
mashed up
with samples of other recordings. The mixtape was produced by the two artists at Diplo's home studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. It was not officially released, but was distributed at M.I.A.'s live shows and via the internet to promote the release of her much-delayed debut album. Despite its unofficial status, several music publications included it in their listings of the best albums of 2004.
, the debut album by M.I.A.
, took place during 2003 and 2004, and the album was originally scheduled to be released in September 2004. Legal issues relating to the use of samples delayed this release, however, first to December and then into 2005. During the recording process, M.I.A. met DJ Diplo, and expressed an interest in working with him on a track for the album. Although their initial recording sessions together proved fruitless, Diplo conceived the idea of using the existing vocal tracks recorded for the album to produce a mixtape
which could be used to promote the delayed full-length album. M.I.A. extended her stay in the United States and the two artists produced the mixtape at his home studio.
The mixtape includes early mixes of the vocals intended for Arular, mashed up
with samples of tracks including "Walk Like an Egyptian
" by The Bangles
, "Big Pimpin'
" by Jay-Z
and "Push It
" by Salt-n-Pepa
. Tunes by Baby, dead Prez
, Missy Elliott
, Ciara
, LL Cool J
and Cutty Ranks
are also included. Necessary legal clearance for the use of these samples was not obtained, with the result that the mixtape could not be sold in record shops and could only be distributed by word of mouth
. In addition to pop
and hip hop
, global music styles are included in the mix. The track "Galang
" incorporates elements of reggaeton
, and three tracks consist of Brazilian baile funk
.
The cover features a photograph of M.I.A. wearing a T-shirt with the slogan "Complaints Department" placed above a picture of a hand grenade
. Arranged around the title are a series of smaller pictures depicting dancers, rioters and riot police. According to Diplo, the pressing was handled by a "little storefront-house" which specialises in producing mixtapes.
Though it was never released through any official channel, the mixtape was widely reviewed by music publications. Robert Christgau
, writing in The Village Voice
, gave it an A- grade, but stated that he was more interested in hearing M.I.A.'s own original music than a mashup:
Stylus Magazine
described it as "a genre-bending adventure in shattered preconceptions and club killing beats" and said that, based on the strength of the mixtape, M.I.A.'s first official album had a lot to live up to. Tom Breihan writing in The Village Voice
expressed relief that M.I.A.'s aesthetic and her debut album did not have much input from Diplo. Piracy Funds Terrorism achieved the number 23 spot on The Village Voices annual Pazz & Jop
poll of the best albums of the year, and number 12 on Pitchfork Media
's 2004 end-of-year list. Pitchfork also placed Piracy Funds Terrorism at number 103 on their list of top 200 albums of the 2000s.
For the third pressing, two tracks featuring beats created by Cavemen were replaced with new material due to legal issues.
Mixtape
A Mix Tape or Mixed Tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an audio Compact Cassette.A Mix Tape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a...
produced by British recording artist M.I.A.
M.I.A. (artist)
Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam , better known by her stage name M.I.A. , is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. M.I.A...
and American DJ Diplo featuring vocal tracks intended for M.I.A.'s debut album Arular
Arular
Arular is the 2005 debut album by British musician M.I.A. Originally set for a September 2004 release, the album was delayed due to problems obtaining permission to use samples. Arular was finally released in the US on 22 March 2005 and a month later in the UK with a slightly different track...
mashed up
Mashup (music)
A mashup or bootleg is a song or composition created by blending two or more pre-recorded songs, usually by overlaying the vocal track of one song seamlessly over the instrumental track of another...
with samples of other recordings. The mixtape was produced by the two artists at Diplo's home studio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. It was not officially released, but was distributed at M.I.A.'s live shows and via the internet to promote the release of her much-delayed debut album. Despite its unofficial status, several music publications included it in their listings of the best albums of 2004.
Recording
Recording sessions for ArularArular
Arular is the 2005 debut album by British musician M.I.A. Originally set for a September 2004 release, the album was delayed due to problems obtaining permission to use samples. Arular was finally released in the US on 22 March 2005 and a month later in the UK with a slightly different track...
, the debut album by M.I.A.
M.I.A. (artist)
Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam , better known by her stage name M.I.A. , is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. M.I.A...
, took place during 2003 and 2004, and the album was originally scheduled to be released in September 2004. Legal issues relating to the use of samples delayed this release, however, first to December and then into 2005. During the recording process, M.I.A. met DJ Diplo, and expressed an interest in working with him on a track for the album. Although their initial recording sessions together proved fruitless, Diplo conceived the idea of using the existing vocal tracks recorded for the album to produce a mixtape
Mixtape
A Mix Tape or Mixed Tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an audio Compact Cassette.A Mix Tape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a...
which could be used to promote the delayed full-length album. M.I.A. extended her stay in the United States and the two artists produced the mixtape at his home studio.
Music and artwork
Mashup (music)
A mashup or bootleg is a song or composition created by blending two or more pre-recorded songs, usually by overlaying the vocal track of one song seamlessly over the instrumental track of another...
with samples of tracks including "Walk Like an Egyptian
Walk Like an Egyptian
"Walk Like an Egyptian" is a number-one hit from the album Different Light by The Bangles in 1986.-Origin:Liam Sternberg wrote the song after seeing people on a ferry walking awkwardly to keep their balance, which reminded him of figures in Ancient Egyptian reliefs. The opening lyrics state, "All...
" by The Bangles
The Bangles
The Bangles are an American all-female band that originated in the early 1980s, scoring several hit singles during the decade.-Formation and early years :...
, "Big Pimpin'
Big Pimpin'
"Big Pimpin" is the last single from rapper Jay-Z's fourth album Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter. It features rapping by Southern hip hop group UGK as well as production by Timbaland....
" by Jay-Z
Jay-Z
Shawn Corey Carter , better known by his stage name Jay-Z, is an American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over $450 million as of 2010...
and "Push It
Push It (Salt-N-Pepa song)
"Push It" is a song by the group Salt-N-Pepa, released as a single in 1986. It peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1987 and has been certified Platinum by the RIAA...
" by Salt-n-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa
Salt-N-Pepa is an American hip hop trio from Queens and Brooklyn, New York, that was formed in 1985. The group, consisting of Cheryl "Salt" Renee James, Sandra "Pepa" Denton, and Deidra "DJ Spinderella" Roper, was one of the first all-female rap crews....
. Tunes by Baby, dead Prez
Dead Prez
Dead Prez stylized as dead prez is a hip hop duo from the United States, composed of stic.man and M-1, formed in 1996 in New York City, New York. They are known for their confrontational style, combined with socialist lyrics focused on both militant social justice and Pan-Africanism...
, Missy Elliott
Missy Elliott
Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one...
, Ciara
Ciara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
, LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
and Cutty Ranks
Cutty Ranks
Philip Thomas, , better known as Cutty Ranks is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist.-Biography:Thomas was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1965. He began his career as a reggae artist at the age of 14 with the Gemini sound system, before moving on to work with Tony Rebel's Rebel Tone and Papa Roots,...
are also included. Necessary legal clearance for the use of these samples was not obtained, with the result that the mixtape could not be sold in record shops and could only be distributed by word of mouth
Word of mouth
Word of mouth, or viva voce, is the passing of information from person to person by oral communication. Storytelling is the oldest form of word-of-mouth communication where one person tells others of something, whether a real event or something made up. Oral tradition is cultural material and...
. In addition to pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
and hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
, global music styles are included in the mix. The track "Galang
Galang
"Galang" is the first single from M.I.A.'s album Arular. It is written by Maya Arulpragasam , Justine Frischmann, Ross Orton and Steve Mackey. The word 'galang' comes from the Jamaican patois for 'go on'. The first time Arulpragasam released "Galang", in 2003, it was released on an indie label,...
" incorporates elements of reggaeton
Reggaeton
Reggaeton is a form of Puerto Rican and Latin American urban and Caribbean music. After its mainstream exposure in 2004, it spread to North American, European and Asian audiences. Reggaeton originated in Puerto Rico but is also has roots from Reggae en Español from Panama and Puerto Rico and...
, and three tracks consist of Brazilian baile funk
Funk carioca
Funk carioca , favela funk and, elsewhere in the world, baile funk, is a type of dance music from Rio de Janeiro, derived from Miami bass....
.
The cover features a photograph of M.I.A. wearing a T-shirt with the slogan "Complaints Department" placed above a picture of a hand grenade
Hand grenade
A hand grenade is any small bomb that can be thrown by hand. Hand grenades are classified into three categories, explosive grenades, chemical and gas grenades. Explosive grenades are the most commonly used in modern warfare, and are designed to detonate after impact or after a set amount of time...
. Arranged around the title are a series of smaller pictures depicting dancers, rioters and riot police. According to Diplo, the pressing was handled by a "little storefront-house" which specialises in producing mixtapes.
Release and reception
An initial pressing of 1,000 copies of the mixtape was produced and given to M.I.A.'s record label. The label began sending the copies out as promotional recordings, prompting Diplo to ask for the remaining copies to be returned so that he could distribute them at shows and in clubs, which he felt was a more appropriate method of distribution for the mixtape. He stated that around 2,000 copies of the recording were produced in total.Though it was never released through any official channel, the mixtape was widely reviewed by music publications. Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau is an American essayist, music journalist, and self-proclaimed "Dean of American Rock Critics".One of the earliest professional rock critics, Christgau is known for his terse capsule reviews, published since 1969 in his Consumer Guide columns...
, writing in The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
, gave it an A- grade, but stated that he was more interested in hearing M.I.A.'s own original music than a mashup:
- "I find more fascination—and pleasure, if not variety—in M.I.A. juxtaposed against herself than in, for instance, favela funk juxtaposed against 'Walk Like an Egyptian'. Which isn't to deny I also find all these good things in favela funk juxtaposed against 'Walk Like an Egyptian'."
Stylus Magazine
Stylus Magazine
Stylus Magazine was an online music and film magazine launched in 2002. It featured long-form music journalism, four daily music reviews, movie reviews, a number of different podcasts, an MP3 blog, and a text blog....
described it as "a genre-bending adventure in shattered preconceptions and club killing beats" and said that, based on the strength of the mixtape, M.I.A.'s first official album had a lot to live up to. Tom Breihan writing in The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
expressed relief that M.I.A.'s aesthetic and her debut album did not have much input from Diplo. Piracy Funds Terrorism achieved the number 23 spot on The Village Voices annual Pazz & Jop
Pazz & Jop
The Pazz & Jop critics' poll is a poll of music critics run by The Village Voice newspaper. It is compiled every year from the top ten lists of hundreds of music critics...
poll of the best albums of the year, and number 12 on Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
's 2004 end-of-year list. Pitchfork also placed Piracy Funds Terrorism at number 103 on their list of top 200 albums of the 2000s.
Track listing
The first pressing of Piracy Funds Terrorism had an incorrect track listing, which was fixed for the second pressing, the track listing for which is as follows:| # | Title | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Galang Galang "Galang" is the first single from M.I.A.'s album Arular. It is written by Maya Arulpragasam , Justine Frischmann, Ross Orton and Steve Mackey. The word 'galang' comes from the Jamaican patois for 'go on'. The first time Arulpragasam released "Galang", in 2003, it was released on an indie label,... aton" (Diplo Mix) |
2:02 |
| 2 | "Galang Galang "Galang" is the first single from M.I.A.'s album Arular. It is written by Maya Arulpragasam , Justine Frischmann, Ross Orton and Steve Mackey. The word 'galang' comes from the Jamaican patois for 'go on'. The first time Arulpragasam released "Galang", in 2003, it was released on an indie label,... " Featuring Li'l Vicious |
2:57 |
| 3 | LL Cool J LL Cool J James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor... /Cavemen - "Two Bit Rhythm" (M.I.A. Mix) |
2:39 |
| 4 | "Fire Bam" (Diplo Mix) | 2:40 |
| 5 | "Fire Fire" | 3:33 |
| 6 | M.I.A./Missy Missy Elliott Melissa Arnette "Missy" Elliott , is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and actressA five-time Grammy Award winner, Elliott, with record sales of over seven million in the United States, is the only female rapper to have five albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one... - "One for the Head Skit" |
1:37 |
| 7 | "Amazon" (Diplo Mix) | 3:32 |
| 8 | The Clipse Clipse Clipse is a Virginia Beach, Virginia-based hip hop duo. Formed in 1992 by brothers Malice and Pusha T , the group is heavily affiliated with production team The Neptunes and signed to Star Trak Entertainment.- Exclusive Audio Footage :The Thornton brothers were born in The Bronx, New... - "Definition of a Roller" |
3:14 |
| 9 | "M.I.A./Cutty Ranks Cutty Ranks Philip Thomas, , better known as Cutty Ranks is a Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist.-Biography:Thomas was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1965. He began his career as a reggae artist at the age of 14 with the Gemini sound system, before moving on to work with Tony Rebel's Rebel Tone and Papa Roots,... " |
3:23 |
| 10 | "M.I.A." | 3:10 |
| 11 | "You're Good" (Diplo Mix) | 3:04 |
| 12 | "Pop" | 2:35 |
| 13 | "Sunshowers Sunshowers "Sunshowers" is a song by British musician M.I.A. from her critically acclaimed debut album Arular . It was written and produced by Maya Arulpragasam, Ross Orton, Steve Mackey, August Darnell and Stony Jr. Browder with additional production by Nesreen Shah and Anthony Whiting. The song includes a... " (Diplo Mix) |
3:00 |
| 14 | "Baile Funk One" | 2:15 |
| 15 | "Bucky Done Gun Bucky Done Gun "Bucky Done Gun" is the third single from M.I.A.'s critically acclaimed album Arular. It is written by Maya Arulpragasam and Wesley Pentz and produced by Diplo, with additional production by A. Brucker, P. Byrne and Wizard... " |
2:45 |
| 16 | "Baile Funk Two" | 1:44 |
| 17 | "China Girl" (Diplo Mix) | 2:08 |
| 18 | "Baile Funk Three" | 1:24 |
| 19 | "Lady Killer" (Diplo Mix) | 3:22 |
| 20 | "U.R.A.Q.T." (Diplo Mix) | 2:45 |
| 21 | "Bingo" (Diplo Mix) | 3:19 |
For the third pressing, two tracks featuring beats created by Cavemen were replaced with new material due to legal issues.
Personnel
The only credits on the cover are as follows:- Hollertronix/Wes Gully (Diplo) - executive production
- Maya Arul (M.I.A.M.I.A. (artist)Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam , better known by her stage name M.I.A. , is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, painter and director of Sri Lankan Tamil descent. Her compositions combine elements of hip hop, electronica, dance, alternative and world music. M.I.A...
) - "executive mish mash" - Knox Robinson - worldwide A&RA&RArtists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
External links
- Piracy Funds Terrorism, Volume 1 at Discogs.comDiscogsDiscogs, short for discographies, is a website and database of information about audio recordings, including commercial releases, promotional releases, and bootleg or off-label releases. The Discogs servers, currently hosted under the domain name discogs.com, are owned by Zink Media, Inc., and are...