M.I.A. Releases 'Matahdatah Scroll 01 Broader Than a Border,' The First in Her Audio-Film Series

For M.I.A.'s upcoming album, "Matahdatah," the artist released the first in her new audiovisual project.

Released on Apple Music, "Matahdatah Scroll 01 Broader Than a Border," is a compilation of two songs and a video.

The rapper wanted to explore the meaning of borders. The videos are directed by her. Each one will be filmed in a different country. They will all come together when she releases "Matahdatah," which will be an audio-film. The two songs are "Warriors," from her 2013 album: "Matangi," and new song, "Swords.""Swords" combines elements of South Indian classical music, M.I.A.'s distinct lyrics, and occasional sounds of swords being struck together.

The video is around six minutes long and features both songs. The footage used was filmed in Western India and Cote d'Ivorie. "Swords" features a display of South Indian girls sword and fire wielding. M.I.A. spends a scenes meditating in a Temple. "Warriors" mainly features a spiritual dancer, dressed in yellow and red. The dancer in which M.I.A. tweeted about when asking fans opinions on cultural appropriation.

During the press release, M.I.A. said:

"My new song 'Swords' was filmed in a Temple in India and we recorded the clang of the metal to make the beat at the same time as shooting these incredible girls. 'Warriors' was shot in Cote d'Ivoire with a guy I saw in a youtube video doing the most incredible dancing. I tracked down that exact guy, flew out there and played him the 'Warriors' track. He did his thing for me. He is a spiritual warrior and communicates through dancing. It's a lifelong commitment for him to be the designated spiritual body that channels that dance."