M.I.A. ego much?

[Michelle*s_Farm]

M.I.A. has a couple of great LP's under her belt and has been indirectly and directly linked to Beastie Boys for the last couple of years. However her recent twitter blog entry reveals that her ego is, well to state it bluntly, out of control:

Upset M.I.A. writes, "I ORIGINALLY BOOKED ON SHOWS COZ BEASTIES WERE HEADLINERS (sic)... CANT BELIEVE THEY REPLACED BEASTIES WITH TENACIOUS D?????????????????????? AND IF I PULL OUT THEY SUE! SO REALLY? TENACIOUS D AFTER ME?"

See original article on the outburst here. (http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/story/mia-upset-about-beastie-boys-festival-replacement_1113822)

I would like to contrast her behaviour to Beastie Boys' at Lollapalooza in 1994 when Smashing Pumpkins headlined and Beastie Boys played just before them. They did not complain. Even if they did not like Smashing Pumpkins they would not complain as in the big scheme of things it should be trivial.

[Micodin]

1. I'm not really sure how is ego is directly out of control. She has always been pretty outspoken about anything and everything. I appreciate her honesty. I'd was bummed when they replaced the Beasties with Tenacious D myself.

2. Who cares, really? It's just the same boring drama shit people like to talk about because their own lives are a bit lackluster.

3. And, I'm not trying to be a jerk here... But, this thread probably should be in Other Music.

[Michelle*s_Farm]

1. I'm not really sure how is ego is directly out of control. She has always been pretty outspoken about anything and everything. I appreciate her honesty. I'd was bummed when they replaced the Beasties with Tenacious D myself.

I meant out of control in terms of her ego on this issue. The word megalomanic comes to mind. Honesty is important but to be full of oneself
is not cool.


3. And, I'm not trying to be a jerk here... But, this thread probably should be in Other Music.

I do not think you are being a jerk but I do disagree with you on this issue. I think it is relevant to General Beastie Boys Discussion because M.I.A.'s sense of self-importance is in direct contrast to Beastie Boys' apparent views of themselves (they are humble and respectful toward others). Even if some of the people on the BBMB have not had a chance to meet them, I hope fans have noticed that Adam, Adam and Michael are genuinely nice guys in an industry with few. I can think of another example (and do not get me wrong I like M.I.A.'s music): Once she remarked that Diplo is not in anyway responsible for her musical contributions. I cannot imagine Beastie Boys saying such a thing publically about their past collaborators. I see this thread as a potential discussion of Beastie Boys' characters which for well-known musical performers does set them apart from the traditional inflated egos of many popular artists.

[Kid Presentable]

You don't know the Beasties and their view of themselves, M.

M.I.A is speaking her mind, good on her.

[Michelle*s_Farm]

You don't know the Beasties and their view of themselves, M.

I cannot pretend to know how someone feels about their own self -- I am not even sure I know how I feel about my own self. However based on band interviews (when they are not goofin' around), commentaries and personal encounters I have had, I think it is reasonable to assert that the band is not full of itself (an affliction common to a lot of artists). But hey I am just speculating that Beastie Boys are not egomaniacs (i.e., full of themselves and their own self-importance in the world). Although I should point out that if a person thought that someone like Adam Yauch was an egomaniac (full of himself) I think they would have a hard time making the case.

Hurricane unplugged the Smashing Pumpkins at the 96 TFC, and said "Enough of this shit!". Beasties charge like a quarter mill to play AU festivals.

Well I did not know these things (sources would be nice though). I think Hurricane's behaviour is not the behaviour of Adam, Adam and Michael. I must admit the Smashing Pumpkins sucked when they headlined over the Beasties in 1994 for Lollapalooza (I would have been tempted to pull the plug as well).

Wow $250,000 to play an Australian festival sounds like a lot -- nothing wrong with getting paid for your work! That money is probably divided up in multiple ways leading to a much smaller amount for each band member (e.g., possibly less than 50,000 per band member after taxes for a few weeks work). I am not sure if that is a lot of money to ask (I have no idea what is involved in making such a trip with equipment, people, sound check, performance, food etc. to Australia from North America -- sounds like a right pain in the ass to me).

M.I.A is speaking her mind, good on her.

Nothing wrong with speaking one's mind either. I just do not think that being an egomaniac looks good on her or any other performer (or person for that matter). Think about the broke fans that travel to these shows; meanwhile she is moaning that Tenacious D is ahead of her in the line-up? Her mind would be better spent speaking out on political issues as she often does (that does look good on her).

[skra75]

The big difference here is Tenacious D is a comedy act and MIA is a serious artist. I'd be pissed too. The Beastie Boys at least are good composers when they aren't rapping.

Sucks to be here bc she'd be lumped with other niche acts, which kinda isn't fair. She's way more talented than tenacious-d, me even typing that right now is sorta annoying.

[Micodin]

I cannot pretend to know how someone feels about their own self -- I am not even sure I know how I feel about my own self.

I can see that.

Not for nothing. This is this most petty and nonsensical thread I've seen in while. Oh M.I.A. is upset because she has to perform before Tenacious D! Her ego is out of control! Boo Hoo!

Seriously? What is this, Perez Hilton?

More importantly. Who cares? It's a non-issue. She was excited to do a show a the Beasties, now she's doing a show with Jack Black. I'd be disappointed too. Case closed.

[Michelle*s_Farm]

I guess this is what bugs me about her behaviour since everyone knows that Tenacious D are not serious (i.e., it is a comedy routine probably better than Sprinal Tap) what is the big deal to her? Will her fans look down on her because she played in a festival with Tenacious D headlining? That is nuts as I like her music and could care less that she is playing with "The D". During Beck's Mutations LP he toured with Tenacious D -- did not hurt his career one bit.

I think we are going off the topic. The point was that M.I.A. does not seem to be in the same league as the Beastie Boys when it comes to character. And despite the quality of her music she seems persistent (almost as bad as Eminem in this regard) to make ridiculous comments publically (like a teenager stoned for the first time). That is a shame (I think) because she has class potential (long haul potential in terms of making lasting music for a long period of time). Character (after you have some talent) is a key ingredient
to success. Beastie Boys have these padlocked. So when M.I.A. wrote in Fire Fire

"Swinging out to swing beat
Laying low and jacking-up to Lou Reed
Chasin out to Pixies and the Beasties"

and her assertions that there is "competition coming up now", I just do not think she has what it takes (as of yet) to achieve the level of success that the Beastie Boys have. I think her own ego could get in the way of her future success. It is a shame really.

[Michelle*s_Farm]

More importantly. Who cares? It's a non-issue. She was excited to do a show a the Beasties, now she's doing a show with Jack Black. I'd be disappointed too. Case closed.

You are being oversimplistic regarding the intention of this thread. I think it is an interesting idea that due to the personal integrity of Beastie Boys they will always be considered leagues above artists like M.I.A. Stated another way I think the success of Beastie Boys is due in part to their integrity of character. That is not gossip but a positive message to us all regardless of what career paths we choose. If you do not want to discuss the characters of the people who make up your favourite band and how their personalities contributed to their success it is your choice.

[Micodin]

I agree. In the past 5 years she's only put out 2 highly acclaimed records, toured the world, nominated for two Grammy Awards and an Academy Award, won the Mercury Award, put on Time Magazine 100 list of "World's Most Influential People", etc...

Who does she think she is? Her ego is out of control. How dare her to speak her mind. If she keeps this up her future success is in jeopardy.

M.I.A. needs to C.H.I.L.L. O.U.T.!

[Micodin]

Stated another way I think the success of Beastie Boys is due in part to their integrity of character.

Your talking about the same Beasties that had a inflatable penis on stage and poured beer on the audience when they first toured, correct? The same Beasties that rapped about smoking dust, shooting people, and made fun of homosexuals. Those Beasties?

The same Beasties that don't perform a lot of their earlier songs because they are embarrassed about the content, or change up the lyrics to make them more acceptable? The same Beasties that have publicly apologized to the Gay Community for their lyrics on Licensed To Ill? Those guys?

If your going to compare the first four years of M.I.A.'s carreer vs. The Beastie Boys. I'm not sure you want to compare their integrity.

Yes, the Beasties have more than made up for their past through the years. But, I wouldn't start slagging off new upcoming artists for a stupid Twitter quote. I mean, your talking about the group that almost had the debut LP called "Don't Be A Faggot".

[Michelle*s_Farm]

Your talking about the same Beasties that had a inflatable penis on stage and poured beer on the audience when they first toured, correct? The same Beasties that rapped about smoking dust, shooting people, and made fun of homosexuals. Those Beasties?

The same Beasties that don't perform a lot of their earlier songs because they are embarrassed about the content, or change up the lyrics to make them more acceptable? The same Beasties that have publicly apologized to the Gay Community for their lyrics on Licensed To Ill? Those guys?

If your going to compare the first four years of M.I.A.'s carreer vs. The Beastie Boys. I'm not sure you want to compare their integrity.

Yes, the Beasties have more than made up for their past through the years. But, I wouldn't start slagging off new upcoming artists for a stupid Twitter quote. I mean, your talking about the group that almost had the debut LP called "Don't Be A Faggot".

I disagree with the emphasis you have placed on that historical account of the band (although there are some truly funny lines in your post). I hope new fans do not take that account seriously at all as it is misleading. Yauch went to no nukes demostrations when he attended Brooklyn Friends (a Quaker School) before the band formed. Also you completely ignore their hardcore beginnings, interest in the Clash, Ratcage Records, and association with bands that had a social conscience. These early beginnings are important and if you are trying to suggest that the band only became political later in their career that is incorrect.

They have made a conscious choice to change others' perceptions of the band over the years. They decided to be clear about their intentions and not make jokes at others' expense (that is a good thing because people kept misunderstanding the band and their intentions or lack thereof). This is an entirely different thing than M.I.A.'s 'prima donna' behaviour. Or at least it seems different to me.

[RoryMC]

MIA may be a "serious artist" but I guarantee Tenacious D have sold more records than her and are probably in the same crowd-drawing category as the Beastie Boys, hence the decision to replace them with the duo.

If MIA seriously thinks she has a chance of headlining a festival, she is seriously deluded.

[Micodin]

This just in!

Upset Micodin writes, "I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M GOING BACK AND FORTH ON THE BEASTIE BOYS MESSAGEBOARD ABOUT M.I.A.'S FUCKING TWITTER TWEETS. AIN'T THIS SOME BULLSHIT??????????????? I'M GOING TO GO OUTSIDE AND ENJOY THE NICE PHILADELPHIA SUNSHINE INSTEAD OF READING THESE GODDAMN POST'S BY MR. MICHELLE. PEACE!!!!! I'M AUDI 500!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RoryMC]

Have a larbage, pick up your garbage.

[Michelle*s_Farm]

good idea i am going outside as well but in my case it will probably be sunshowers :)

[YoungRemy]

at Voodoo Fest 2004, Green Day had the headlining slot and Beastie Boys were billed to play right before them. Billie Joe went to the festival organizers and said he would rather open up for the Beastie Boys rather than vice versa.

respect.

[Thunder D]

During that 94 lolla, I remember reading that the Beasties' said the George Clinton should have been the true headliner. At both shows I went to, it was fun to see all the people walk out on the Pumpkins set. At one point Billy even asked if the crowd if they wanted more Beasties.
I was also at that 95 Tibet show in SF. I dont blame Hurra one bit. If you have seen their set, they went on and on with some fuzzed out instrumental BS that lasted 10+ minutes to end their set. It was like finger nails on a chalk board. It had been a long hot day, so "thank you Hurra".

[Brother McDuff]

Neither M.I.A. or Tenacious D should be headlining any festival.

M.I.A. definitely made a tasteless remark and should show a bit more class, but I don't think it's worth discussing to this extent.

[Michelle*s_Farm]

at Voodoo Fest 2004, Green Day had the headlining slot and Beastie Boys were billed to play right before them. Billie Joe went to the festival organizers and said he would rather open up for the Beastie Boys rather than vice versa.

respect.

cool story.

[Michelle*s_Farm]

During that 94 lolla, I remember reading that the Beasties' said the George Clinton should have been the true headliner. At both shows I went to, it was fun to see all the people walk out on the Pumpkins set. At one point Billy even asked if the crowd if they wanted more Beasties.


I remember hearing that. It was great to see George Clinton and the P-Funk Allstars at the same festival as the Beasties in 1994. Tribe Called Quest played as well. One big happy family of great bands and class acts :)

Beasties were on the money when they played that festival. Although I must say their live performance skills keep getting better and better. I was just watching a performance they did in 2004 on MTV (I think) and wow it was smooth. Looking forward to when they get back to playing some live shows in support of the new LP. The new vids will be fun to watch as well.

[Micodin]

I don't think it's worth discussing to this extent.

Cosign!

[Michelle*s_Farm]

Cosign!

lol. I hope you had some nice weather out there. Listen I do not want to discuss M.I.A in any great depth anyway. I care even less about twitter or gossip. However I would like to discuss how great the Beasties are as people. Things they have done for other artists, charities, political causes, film, this board, whatever...

We all know the band deserves respect, not just as innovators and fantastic creative artists (these things are obviously important to critics and fans) but perhaps more importantly in the big picture as good natured people. I do not mean to be all hippie about this because as we all know hippies steal shit (http://mic-to-mic.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-08-04T15%3A22%3A00-04%3A00&max-results=4).

[spacemac9000]

yo !

YOU GUYS THINK THAT TENACIOUS D IS GONNA COVER A BUNCH OF BEASTIES SONGS SICNE THEY ARE FILLING IN FOR THEM ? ? ?

not that i even care to hear jack black sing beasties songs personally