Rapper. Mother. Activist. Now M.I.A. has a new title to add to her résumé: World’s Most Influential Person. The Sri Lankan artist lands on TIME magazine’s TIME 100 list for the first time, among Barack Obama and Brad Pitt.

“It’s funny to think of M.I.A. as influential, because I don’t think she ever set out to be influential,” says director Spike Jonze. “The great thing about her is that she doesn’t have some global plan. She just has things she cares about and is interested in, from all over the world.”

Watch her interview below.

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Lil Wayne has traded in his street cred for a new title: World’s Most Influential Person.

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Before attending the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Utah Jazz game with Polow Da Don in L.A. on Sunday, Kanye West took in M.I.A.’s post-baby performance at Coachella in Indio, Calif. That desert heat will make anyone look a hot, sweaty mess.

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Despite her preference for the tent, M.I.A. tackled the main stage at the 2009 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival over the weekend. Watch her perform “Paper Planes” for thousands of sweaty fans in the desert.

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M.I.A. returned to work for her first show since giving birth to her son in February.

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M.I.A.’s 18-year-old protégée Rye Rye made her Hollywood debut at Cinespace on Tuesday. The petite Baltimore rapper performed several songs, one of which was her M.I.A.-assisted single “Bang.”

The ’87 Stick Up Kids opened, followed by a brief set from DJ Blaqstarr, but despite whisperings that M.I.A. would make a surprise appearance, the Sri Lankan mama was M.I.A. Insiders tell Rap-Up.com that she was there, but felt too sick to perform.

Rye Rye will release her debut album Go! Pop! Bang! on M.I.A.’s N.E.E.T. imprint with Interscope Records.

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Although M.I.A.’s protégée Rye Rye hasn’t had the chance to see her fellow “Bang” collaborator’s newborn, Ikhyd, up close and personal just yet, she says a photo she received proves he resembles his mama because “they got the same nose.” The 18-year-old MC also exclusively tells Rap-Up.com her thoughts on the kind of parent M.I.A. will be to her son.

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The real name of M.I.A.’s baby boy has been uncovered…and it’s not too far off from what was originally reported.

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M.I.A.’s 18-year-old protégée Rye Rye is filling in for the Sri Lankan mama while she’s on maternity leave. The Baltimore MC will release her debut album Go! Pop! Bang! on M.I.A.’s N.E.E.T. label this June. Her Blaqstarr-produced street single “Bang” features the “Paper Planes” hitmaker and even has that signature M.I.A. swagga.

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