Sign up to our newsletter and become a Club Huck member.

Stay informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture

M.I.A. takes aim at West's refugee failure with 'Borders'

  • Text by HUCK HQ
Borders. What's up with that? — Musical provocateur's self-directed video for new track Borders follows refugees' hazardous journey to Europe.

M.I.A is never one to keep silent.

The singer fired her volley into the migration crisis debate by taking us on on a journey with refugees in her new self-directed video for ‘Borders,’ the first track off her new album. The British-born singer offers up images of a tide of humanity headed Westward — undeterred by tall barbed wire fences or perilous seas. Her lyrics, meanwhile, slam governments for failing to act.

The video once again demonstrates, M.I.A.’s remarkable ability to filter political debate in pop culture.

What’s your take on the video? Let us know here on Huck’s Facebook page.

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter

 


You might like

Music

Celebrating the art of making out on tour with Tove Lo

The Kiss Book — In the wake of the pandemic, photographer Kenny Laubbacher travelled around several countries with the Swedish pop star, capturing the joy and desire of kissing fans.

Written by: Zoe Whitfield

Music

The dreamy, surfy sounds of Cactus for Breakfast

Vitamin B — The Berlin-based band blends eclectic lyrics and influences spanning The Ventures, King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard and Fela Kuti into a swirl of garage psych. We caught up with them as they brought their jubilant live show to Huck’s showcase on the final night of SXSW London.

Written by: Roxana Diba

Music

Huck's SXSW gig was a sweat-soaked rager

Huck it's so hot: At Village Underground for SXSW London’s final night, Huck co-curated a bill featuring Honey I’m Home, Cactus For Breakfast, Master Peace and shame – here's what went down.

Written by: Ella Glossop

Music

Analogue Appreciation: Balming Tiger

Gongbu — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, it’s K-pop experimentalists Balming Tiger.

Written by: Balming Tiger

Ika Schwander ‘Two of Swords’, Apolemia © Julien Janssens
Music

Horst Festival is a blueprint for a creative, collective future

Hymn — Highlighted by an engrossing performance directed by Fallon Mayanja, the 2026 edition was a showcase of ASIAT Park’s ever-evolving space as an incubator for art, music and creativity.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Music

Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien: “Technology’s evolution on the human psyche is a massive problem”

Blue Morpho — With the release of his second solo album, the songwriter and guitarist explores analogue rawness, spirituality and pulling himself out of a dark place. D’Arcy Doran caught up with him at SXSW to find out more.

Written by: D’Arcy Doran

You've read articles this month Thanks for reading

Join Club Huck — it's free!

Valued Huck reader, thank you for engaging with our journalism and taking an interest in our dispatches from the sharp edge of culture, sport, music and rebellion.

We want to offer you the chance to join Club Huck [it's free!] where you will receive exclusive newsletters, including personal takes on the state of pop culture and media from columnist Emma Garland, culture recommendations, interviews and dispatches straight to your inbox.

You'll also get priority access to Huck events, merch discounts, and more fun surprises.

Already part of the club? Enter your email above and we'll get you logged in.