M.I.A. joins people like Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and, um, the Twitter Guys on TIME's 2009 list of the most influential people in the world. She matters! There's a corny interview video on TIME's website to prove it and everything. I remember the days when she was funding (aural) terrorism for a handful of internet dorks-- she's come a long way. Amazing what a trailer for a stoner movie can do nowadays. Check out the M.I.A. write-up by director Spike Jonze here.
Other musicians on the list include Chinese classical pianist Lang Lang, John Legend, and Indian superstar A.R. Rahman (aka the Slumdog Millionaire composer that M.I.A. collaborated with on the Oscar-nominated "O...Saya"). Elsewhere, Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis gets a sweet tribute courtesy of Coldplay's Chris Martin, Lou Reed lavishes praise on South African artist William Kentridge, and Rick Astley reflects on the Rickroll phenomenon in his piece about 4chan.org creator moot.
Finalists Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Prince, T-Pain, and (ahem) Pitchfork Founder/President Ryan Schreiber didn't make the final cut this year. Maybe next time, guys. Then again, Rush Limbaugh and Bernie Madoff did make the list, so there is such a thing as a bad influence.
