Freedun

## *A.I.M.* Chronology

**Freedun** is a song by the English rapper *M.I.A.*, and is released on her fifth studio album, *A.I.M.*. The album was released on September 9, 2016. Zayn Malik appears on the track as a featured artist. The single premiered on the *Annie Mac* BBC Radio One show on 1 September 2016, and was officially released the next day.

## Background

The song was co-written by M.I.A., alongside Keisha Hollins and Polow da Don. Production of the song was handled by Polow da Don. M.I.A. initially contacted Zayn via the instant messaging client WhatsApp. Levi Lennox, who produced "Borders" from *AIM*, also produced Zayn's debut single "Pillowtalk".

M.I.A. told *EW*, “We have the same publishers and they wanted me to demo some songs for Zayn. Before I started writing properly my own stuff [for *A.I.M.*], I was thinking maybe I’ll write for other people instead. I really wanted to write a song for Zayn….We had a couple people in common. And that’s how it came about. I didn’t really approach him for my own record until later on. First, I thought I wanted to try writing a song for him.”

## Lyrics

**[M.I.A.]**

I'm a swagger man

Rolling in my swagger van

From the People's Republic Of Swagistan

Free-da-da-dum, free-dun

Free-da-da-dum, free-dun

Free-da-da-dum, free-dun

I'm M.I.A., ay

I don't need any audition

I just got my own little mission

A crew bigger than a politician

Yeah, history is just a competition

Do you wanna sign my petition?

It's for the people with dedication

Some people fuck it up take vacations

Refugee learn about patience

Sometimes I have many visions

I don't even need a religion

I'm a new frontier on horizons

Yeah, sail this ship to the thousands

Even aliens see the presentation

Yeah, tune up the dial on the station

And think of me sort of like Tarzan

And I'm swinging this beat, salvation

**[Zayn]**

All the stars are still shining

But you're the only one I see

I can feel when your heart beats, yeah

Babe, you can't keep your eyes off me

**[M.I.A.]**

Free-da-da-dum, free-dun

Free-da-da-dum, free-dun

Free-da-da-dum, free-dun

Free-da-da-dum, free-dun

Download it on the DVD, download it on the phone

If you don't catch them, then baby I'm gone

Send me your money, and I will send you my song

What you get is perfect to turn me life-long

Lara Croft is soft when it comes my stuff

She’s made up, I’m real, that's enough

Dinosaurs died and I'm still strong

A little bit of fun, yeah, I don't see the wrong

This song is so good, yeah I waited too long

I rate that button just to play this song

Whose world is this?

The world is mine so bring it on

**[Zayn]**

All the stars are still shining

But you're the only one I see

I can feel when your heart beats, yeah

Babe, you can't keep your eyes off me

**[M.I.A.]**

Free-da-da-dum, free-dun

Free-da-da-dum, free-dun

Free-da-da-dum, free-dun

Free-da-da-dum, free-dun

Free-da-da-dum, free-dun

Free-da-da-dum, free-dun

Free-da-da-dum, free-dun

Free-da-da-dum, free-dun

**[Zayn]**

(Harmonizing)

**[M.I.A.]**

Are you gonna sing my song?

Are you gonna sing my song tonight?

Tonight, you’re gonna sing my song?

Are you gonna sing my song tonight?

Ee-ah-ah-ah, ee-ah-ah

Ee-ah-ah-ah-ah, ee-ah-ah, It’s M.I.A.

Ee-ah-ah-ah, ee-ah-ah

Ee-ah-ah-ah-ah, ee-ah-ah

Aah, oh, I’m M.I.A., ay

Are you gonna sing my song?

Oh, oh

## Critical Response

The song has been met with mixed response from music critis. While some gave it favorable reviews, others called it "disappointingly generic" and a "misstep". Nonetheless, *New Musical Express* and *The Independent* picked the song as a highlight on the album.

## Music Video

M.I.A. has filmed a music video for the song in the Himalayas in Nepal. During filming, she needed the aid of an oxygen tank because of the lack of oxygen in the mountains. She was also not able to film it with Zayn because he could not leave the USA due to his commitments and she was denied visa to enter the country.

## Controversy

Fans had been left fuming over one particular line that is rapped by M.I.A. In the track, she raps: “I rate that button just to play this song.” The phrase is about hitting the replay button on YouTube, but many devotees misheard the word as “rape” and feared the stars were making light of sexual assault.

Fans have taken to Twitter to criticize Zayn over the song lyric, with one declaring she is “disgusted” with the pop star.

The user tweeted: “M.i.a used the word rape and I’m disgusted zayn agreed to collaborate on that song.. it’s trash anyway. Get him out!”

Another wrote: “Why would zayn agree to collaborate on a song where the word rape is used ew.”

One fan posted: “I can’t believe MIA used the phrase “rape the replay button” on Freedun.

“Mum, u r not in 2009. Get it together. Luv u and Zayn.”

M.I.A. eventually cleared out the controversy by sharing a picture of the lyrics on her official instagram.

## References

1. ↑ M.I.A. Enlists Zayn Malik for New Song “Freedun”
2. ↑ MIA has scores to settle
3. ↑ Video Commentary with M.I.A. - Vevo UK
4. ↑ Freedun Lyrics