Music on TV This Week: M.I.A.

By Drake Lelane

July 12, 2010 / 8:48 AM

The Sri Lankan born, London-raised artist M.I.A. has been a lightning rod from the beginning of her career, so it should come as no surprise that her latest,

///Y/ (spelling out her name MAYA, out this week), has been talked about in controversial tones for months now.

From the shocking Ginger holocaust of a first video for "Born Free" to all the hullabaloo surrounding The New York Times Magazine piece from proverbial pot-stirrer Lynn Hirschberg, M.I.A. hasn't shied away from the target she's painted on herself. The proof is in the pudding, though, and ///Y/ is sure to generate even more discussion. Longtime producer and collaborator Diplo worked on just three tracks, and hasn't been shy about what he thinks of the rest of the album.

M.I.A. will be performing current single "XXXO" Tuesday on Letterman and then all bets are off for her Late Night with Jimmy Fallon performance on Wednesday, as The Roots are bound to lend a hand to whatever she chooses to do.

Elsewhere this week, Letterman managed to score a couple of rare televised appearances from two legendary artists. First comes Wednesday in the form of the mulitmedia artist Laurie Anderson, whose first studio release in 10 years (Homeland) finds her fired up about our country's handling of war overseas. Then, on Thursday, it's 62-year old reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, who recently played to raving reviews at the 2010 Bonaroo Music Festival.

Playlist: Picks for the week

Monday, July 12

ABC: Jimmy Kimmel Live: Sublime with Rome (REPEAT)

FUEL: The Daily Habit:

NBC: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Tracy Bonham

NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Big Boi

NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: Angels & Airwaves (REPEAT)

Tuesday, July 13

CBS: Late Show With David Letterman: M.I.A.

IFC: Dinner With the Band: Light Speed Champion

NBC: Late Night With Jimmy Fallon: Kelis

NBC: Last Call With Carson Daly: The Morning Benders (REPEAT)