Controversial Videos of 2012: ‘Bad Girls,’ M.I.A.

Sri Lankan rapper M.I.A. stole our breath and the breath of countless others when she released her uber-violent ‘Born Free’ video two years ago; to say this latest one (originally released from her ‘Vicki Leekx’ mixtape) is a bit tamer would be an understatement. Still, the media was quick to characterize the clip as a middle finger to the Arab world and the way it treats its women. Dances in the desert, drifting and spinning in white street cars, a general we-don’t-give-a-f--- attitude -- the video does push the point. In truth, though, M.I.A.’s middle finger at this year’s Super Bowl was a bit more entertaining.