Singer M.I.A. has claimed that Jay-Z advised her to undergo plastic surgery when she signed with Roc Nation in 2012.
In a video obtained by Livebitez, she stated, “Even when I met Jay-Z and I signed to Roc Nation, the first thing he told me to do is get plastic surgery.” Emphasising her confidence, she added, “I’m not insecure because I would’ve got plastic surgery.”
The “Paper Planes” singer, whose full name is Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam, rejected suggestions that her decision not to undergo surgery stemmed from insecurity. She remarked, “Their argument of, ‘Maya’s f—king insecure, that’s why she needs to f—king massage her ego,’ fails. It fails because you turn around and ask … What women do you know who hasn’t had plastic surgery around [Jay-Z]? All of them have. I’m the only one who didn’t, which already proves the fact it’s not insecurity.”
M.I.A. joined Roc Nation management in 2012 for the release of her fourth album, Matangi, but left the label in December 2013 following a dispute over the release of a documentary trailer.
Her comments come as Jay-Z faces unrelated legal allegations in a revised lawsuit. In the suit, a plaintiff identified as Jane Doe accused the rapper and Sean “Diddy” Combs of assaulting her at a party in 2000. Jay-Z has strongly denied these allegations.
