M.I.A. has slammed the MTV Video Music Awards as “racist” after her music video for Borders missed out on a nomination.
The British singer, whose real name is Mathangi Arulpragasam, lashed out on Thursday in a series of posts on Twitter.
Singer M.I.A. poses for photographs in 2009 (Matt Sayles/AP)
She tweeted: “MIA – Borders is not included in the VMAs #hahahahhaahahhaha!! Racism sexism classism elitism #dontwantyourlane!”
MIA – BORDERS is not included in the VMAs #hahahahhaahahhaha!! Racism sexism classism elitism #dontwantyourlane!
— M.I.A (@MIAuniverse) July 28, 2016
BORDERS came representing people outside US showing 🌍. This is a perfect example of "allowed" voice vs excluded voices .Even if U direct it.
— M.I.A (@MIAuniverse) July 28, 2016
not here 4 EGO or Accolades but know before you tell other 🌍 artists they have the same platform as major US artists coz they don't #🌍
— M.I.A (@MIAuniverse) July 28, 2016
MIA ended her diatribe by insisting: “#F–ktheVMAs. We don’t need their recognition!”
The hard-hitting video, directed by M.I.A., shows refugees trying to climb up a huge fence. They are then depicted on the sea in a boat.
Last year, Nicki Minaj also hit out at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Twitter after the video for Feeling Myself, featuring Beyonce, did not receive a nomination.
Lol u guys did we miss the deadline?? #MTV? https://t.co/5yUtYZZn3m
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
She also appeared to throw some shade in the direction of video choices.
If your video celebrates women with very slim bodies, you will be nominated for vid of the year 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) July 21, 2015
This year, Adele will go head-to-head with Beyonce at the VMAs as the singers battle it out for the top prizes.
The British singer received a video of the year nomination for her smash-hit single Hello, while Beyonce was nominated for her Black Lives Matter-themed video Formation.
The women will compete against Drake’s video Hotline Bling, Justin Bieber’s Sorry and Kayne West’s controversial video Famous, which features nude waxworks of himself, his wife Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift.
Kanye and Taylor at the VMAs in 2015 (Matt Sayles/AP)
Adele and Beyonce received the most nominations over all, with Adele picking up eight and Beyonce 11.
The MTV VMAs will take place on August 28 at Madison Square Garden in New York.
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