XXXO

"XXXO" was written by M.I.A., Charles Smith and Cherry Byron-Withers, and produced by Rusko and Blaqstarr. The single was premiered on BBC Radio 1 as Zane Lowe's "Hottest Record in the World" on 11 May 2010.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/zanelowe/2010/05/hottest_record_mia_xxxo.html |title=Zane Lowe's Hottest Records blog: Hottest Record – MIA – XXXO |publisher=BBC |access-date=16 March 2012}}

"XXXO" is a synth-pop{{cite web |last=Zaleski |first=Annie |url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/2010/jul/14/mia/ |title=M.I.A. |work=Las Vegas Sun |publisher=Greenspun Media Group |date=14 July 2010 |access-date=13 July 2015}} song that draws heavily from M.I.A.'s trademark percussion and clap beats in each bar and incorporates a folk style melody.{{cite web|url=http://www.ascap.com/playback/2010/07/ACTION/MIA.aspx |title=M.I.A.'s Sri Lankan Graffiti |publisher=ASCAP |date=1 July 2010 |access-date=16 March 2012}} "XXXO" is considered the most pop-influenced song on the album, with M.I.A. describing the song as showcasing her "cheesy pop side".{{cite magazine|magazine=Dazed & Confused|first=Tim|last=Noakes|date=July 2010|issue=87|page=85|title=Shock to the System}} "XXXO" is performed in a tempo of 120 beats per minute. Written in common time, the song is in verse-chorus form with a bridge before the fourth and final chorus repeating as the coda. The song's instrumentation is simple and minimal, consisting of electro keyboard synths, marching band percussion, beeps and bloops. Charles Aaron of Spin noted that the song was one of M.I.A.'s most plainspoken tracks, reminiscent of the "data-dazed R'n'B" of the song "Space" on the album.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V7_Ar8QHqxcC&q=MIA+XXXO&pg=PA84 |title=Spin |access-date=16 March 2012|date=June 2010 }} Ann Powers of the Los Angeles Times compared the song's chorus vocals favourably to those of Robyn and that her vocal style resembled a girlish coo of early 1980s new wavers, about a seduction that was artistic and not sensual.{{cite news| url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/07/there-are-so-many-ways-to-say-i-love-you-and-if-youre--singing-it-can-be-hard-to-say-anything-else--it-often.html | work=Los Angeles Times | title=Pop & Hiss}}

"XXXO" is a portmanteau of "XXX", which most commonly represents pornography, and "XOXO", which implies kisses and hugs; a slant on teenage girls' charm, naivety, and their attempts to appeal to boys. "XXXO" is also meant to be a pun to "Excess Sex Oh", which expresses disapproval of the overly manifested sexuality of modern media. Lyrically, the song concerns the making of a sex symbol, and consists of M.I.A pulling a switcheroo on a pop template. The song's lyrics contain textspeak, and reference iPhones and Twitter.{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=140&title=new_m_i_a_track_xxxo_what_do_you_think&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 |title=New M.I.A. Track, 'XXXO' – What Do You Think? |work=NME |access-date=16 March 2012}}{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/07/there-are-so-many-ways-to-say-i-love-you-and-if-youre--singing-it-can-be-hard-to-say-anything-else--it-often.html|title=Album review: M.I.A.'s MAYA album|first=Ann|last=Powers|date=7 July 2010|access-date=8 July 2010 |work=Los Angeles Times}} The bridge features the lyrics "Upload your photo / see below / you like what you see, you can download and store / we can find ways / just scan what you know / I can be that actress, you be Tarantino." A writer for Rap-Up describes the song as an angry love letter, noting how the singer laments over an overbearing boyfriend who is "tweeting [her] like Tweety Bird on [his] iPhone" before giving him the cold shoulder in the chorus "You want me be somebody who I'm really not."{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2010/05/10/new-music-mia-xxxo/ |title=New Music: M.I.A. – 'XXXO' [CDQ] |work=Rap-Up |access-date=16 March 2012}} According to Powers, the male in her picture is Tarantino, less likely a lover than a producer trying to turn her big ideas into something more containable. The bridge features the lyrics "I can be that actress" but as the reviewer notes "she really can't. She's all push and pull; like her fellow 'post-feminist' art star Karen O, she understands that something's gotta break – either the role designed for her, or herself."

File:Miamayaalbumo2brixton2010b.jpg]]

The song was premiered on BBC Radio 1 on 10 May 2010 in the UK.{{cite web | url=http://pitchfork.com/news/38755-new-mia-xxxo/ | title=New M.I.A.: "XXXO" | author=Tom Breihan | work=Pitchfork Media | date=10 May 2010 | access-date=10 May 2010 }} It was released as a digital download on 11 May 2010 with the physical release of the single the following day. On 18 July 2010 it reached number 26 on the UK Singles Chart. "XXXO" was danced to by contestants Robert Roldan and Courtney Galliano of So You Think You Can Dance in 2010.

"XXXO"'s official remixes included contributions from Riton, SBTRKT and a dirty mix by Blaqstarr appearing on the UK 12-inch single released by XL Recordings. A red transparent 7-inch single was released featuring the main song and Blaqstarr dirty mix. An official main mix features rapper Jay-Z who previously appeared on a remix of the M.I.A. single "Boyz" from the How Many Votes Fix Mix EP. This main mix leaked onto the Internet on 10 June 2010. The US CD single features various official remixes including the Jay-Z main mix, two remixes of this mix by Fulton Yard with Walt Boogie and Rieces Pieces and those remixes by Riton and SBTRKT. Two digital EPs of these remixes to the song were released separately by her labels in June 2010 in 12-inch single, CD and download formats. XL Recordings and Interscope Records released XXXO (The Remixes) on 15 June 2010 and XXXO The Remixes Part 2 on 29 June 2010. DJ Qness and Mujava created their own remix which was circulated on the Internet, fusing South African Kwaito, house music and M.I.A.'s pop vocal alignment.{{cite web|author=guitar switches says |url=http://www.thefader.com/2010/07/26/mia-xxxo-dj-mujava-and-dj-qness-remix-mp3/ |title=MIA, "XXXO (DJ Mujava and DJ Qness Remix)" MP3 « The FADER |publisher=Thefader.com |date=26 July 2010 |access-date=16 March 2012}} On 15 June 2010, Zane Lowe made the Jay-Z remix his "Hottest Record in the World", a month following bestowing the single the same accolade.{{cite web|author=Producer Kat |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/zanelowe/2010/06/hottest_record_mia_xxxo_jayz_r.html |title=Zane Lowe's Hottest Records blog: Hottest Record – M.I.A – XXXO (Jay-Z Remix) |publisher=BBC |access-date=16 March 2012}} "XXXO" was released in the UK on 28 June 2010.{{cite web | url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003K3YRY4 | title=Xxxo: M.I.A. | website=Amazon | access-date=10 May 2010 }} Revealing her surprise that Jay-Z liked and decided to appear on the album version of "XXXO" and not Blaqstarr's dirty mix which was more "urban" sounding to the songwriter, M.I.A noted "It was interesting he liked the one with the crazy synths and stuff. It's more sort of [an] electro vibe ... and his verse is so great. It was good to hear him say the word 'metrosexual.' "{{cite web|last=Baron |first=Zach |url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2010/07/mia_collaborate.php |title=M.I.A. Collaborates With Nicki Minaj, Talks Jay-Z's "XXXO" Remix: "It Was Good to Hear Him Say the Word 'Metrosexual' " – New York Music – Sound of the City |publisher=Blogs.villagevoice.com |date=6 July 2010 |access-date=16 March 2012}}

M.I.A. performed "XXXO" at the Sound Academy in Toronto in late 2009. On the red carpet to the Spike TV 2010 Scream Awards she wore the "XXXO Burka", a black burka – a traditional Islamic garment – printed with lyrics, the graphic "XO I Love You" inside a heart and artwork to the song and album, and revealing teal eye shadow, studded stilettos and yellow nail polish.{{cite web|author=Caitlin Petreycik|url=http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/10/mia_wore_a_fashion_burqua.html?mid=partnerfeed|title=M.I.A. Fashioned an 'XXXO' Burka for Herself|date=18 October 2010|access-date=14 December 2011}} The singer went with a different ensemble for her onstage performance later in the night, sporting a blue-turquoise wig, yellow sequined blouse, pink pants and green shoes to sing "Teqkilla."{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/953482/mia-wears-a-burqa-on-scream-awards-red-carpet |title=M.I.A Wears a Burqa on Scream Awards Red Carpet |magazine=Billboard |date=18 October 2010 |access-date=16 March 2012}} Time magazine placed the "XXXO Burka" at number two on its list of the "Top Ten Fashion Statements of 2010", stating "there was a sharp intake of breath when singer M.I.A. turned up at an awards event this year in one of the most controversial garments of our era: a burqa. For many, it's a symbol of oppression, representing the systematic silencing of female voices. For others, it's a symbol of liberation, freeing the women who wear it from oversexualization or objectification of the female form. Either way, at least we know it's versatile" before concluding that it was difficult to be offended by the friendly piece.[https://web.archive.org/web/20101213000247/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2035319_2034464_2034439,00.html #ixzz1gYiv2eQ3]

{{music ratings

|rev1=Rolling Stone

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"XXXO" was acclaimed by music critics. Brad Wete of Entertainment Weekly had concerns about M.I.A.'s third album after listening to previous single "Born Free", but said with "XXXO" his worries had been eased. Wete wrote, "this techno-tinged dance record is what we hoped for from our Sri Lankan anti-pop star. It's an aggressive but friendly love cut dressed up with playful lyrics [...] It's the fun, naughty stuff we like."{{cite magazine|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2010/05/11/m-i-a-xxxo/|title=M.I.A.'s new single, 'XXXO': Now this is more like it|first=Brad|last=Wete|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=11 May 2010|access-date=12 May 2010}} Rolling Stone's reviewer characterised the song as a "futuristic, tribal jam", revolving around "little more than reverb-dunked marching-band beat and M.I.A.'s tweaked-to-the-max vocals", before concluding "you have to admire her for always pushing her sound and art forward. When M.I.A. sings, "You want me be somebody who I'm really not", she does it with her middle finger raised high, pointing squarely at your face."{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/;kw%3d%5b13193%2c149603%5d|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514110953/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/;kw=%5B13193,149603%5D|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 May 2010|title=M.I.A. Unveils New Futuristic Tribal Track "XXXO"|last=O'Donnell|first=Kevin|date=11 May 2010|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=12 May 2010}} PopMatters described the song as being "catchy, relatively straightforward dance pop", shedding the "Technicolor excesses" and world-music hybridity that listeners had come to expect from the rapper.{{cite web|last=Pan |first=Arnold |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/post/125552-m.i.a.-xxxo-single-mp3 |title=M.I.A. – "XXXO" single (stream) |publisher=< PopMatters |access-date=16 March 2012}}

"XXXO" debuted on the UK Singles Chart on 18 July 2010 at number 26, following the release of Maya. "XXXO" marks M.I.A.'s second top 40 single and second most successful single after "Paper Planes" reached number 19 in 2009. The single also debuted at number two on the UK Indie Chart behind Example's "Kickstarts", as well as number 12 on the UK R&B Chart.

The song was listed at number two on the NME's best tracks of 2010.{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/photos/75-best-tracks-of-2010/198421/1/1#75 |title=Pictures of 75 best tracks of 2010 – Photos |work=NME |date=24 November 2010 |access-date=16 March 2012}} The song placed number 101 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2010, a list of the most popular songs of the year as chosen by listeners of Australian radio station Triple J.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/kingsmill/playlist/s3134992.htm |title=triple j : New music with Richard Kingsmill |publisher=ABCnet.au |access-date=16 March 2012}} In October 2011, NME placed it at number 70 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/list/150-best-tracks-of-the-past-15-years/248648/page/9 |title=150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years |work=NME |date=6 October 2011 |access-date=16 March 2012}} The music video was nominated for the "Best Video" award at the 2011 UK Asian Music Awards.

The official music video was released on 11 August 2010 on her official Vevo account, following an announcement by M.I.A. on her Twitter feed that read "WORLD PREMIA XXXO XXXO XXXO VIDEO!!!YO!".{{cite web|url=http://www.factmag.com/2010/08/11/m-i-a-drops-video-for-xxxo/#more-22603 |title=M.I.A. drops video for 'XXXO' – FACT magazine: music and art |publisher=Factmag.com |date=11 August 2010 |access-date=16 March 2012}} The music video was to be directed by Hype Williams, but M.I.A. eventually directed the video.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1641333/jayz-remix-mias-xxxo-hits-net.jhtml |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907145523/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1641333/jayz-remix-mias-xxxo-hits-net.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 September 2012 |title=Jay-Z Remix Of M.I.A.'s 'XXXO' Hits The Net – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV |date=11 June 2010 |access-date=16 March 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.interscope.com/artist/player/default.aspx?meid=6017&aid=555 |title=M.I.A. :Video : XXXO |publisher=Interscope |date=11 August 2010 |access-date=7 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127121829/http://interscope.com/artist/player/default.aspx?meid=6017&aid=555 |archive-date=27 January 2011 }} The quirky, playful visuals, evolved from animated web graphics based on M.I.A.'s own designs for the album cover and booklet.{{cite web | url=http://www.rap-up.com/2010/05/08/mias-new-album-pushed-to-july-single-to-premiere-this-week/ | title=M.I.A.'s new album pushed to July, single to premiere this week |work=Rap-Up | date=8 May 2010 | access-date=10 May 2010 }} The video features shots filmed on M.I.A.'s flipcam.{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2010/07/07/mia-shoots-xxxo-video-on-flip-cam/ |title=M.I.A. Shoots 'XXXO' Video on Flip Cam |work=Rap-Up |date=7 July 2010 |access-date=16 March 2012}} The video for "XXXO" references several online social networking sites and resembles online GIFs and animations that are popular on Arabic-language Internet forums, blogs, and social/dating websites. It features M.I.A. in a number of headshots amongst glittery floral graphics, resembling those made on Blingee. At one point in the clip, four white unicorns gallop across the screen. Golden Arabic-style calligraphy spells out her name and, at another point, the phrase "click here to download", written in a similar font, scrolls diagonally across the screen. The YouTube screenshots featured on the cover of the Maya's album also appear in the video, in various video feedback sequences. The video ends with the MySpace refrain "Thank you for adding me."{{cite web|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2010/08/11/video-mia-xxxo/#more-53979 |title=Video: M.I.A. – 'XXXO' |work=Rap-Up |access-date=16 March 2012}}

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{{col-2}}

• ;Digital single

1. "XXXO" (Album Version) – 2:58

• ;UK 12" single

:A1. "XXXO" – 2:58

:A2. "XXXO" (Riton ReRub) – 3:48

:B1. "XXXO" (SBTRKT Remix) – 3:33

:B2. "XXXO" (Blaqstarr Dirty Mix) – 3:03

• ;UK digital single{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/xxxo-single/378106636 |title=XXXO – Single by M.I.A. |date=12 July 2010 |publisher=iTunes Store (GB). Apple |access-date=4 January 2014}}

1. "XXXO" – 2:54
2. "XXXO" (Riton ReRub) – 3:49
3. "XXXO" (SBTRKT Remix) – 3:33
4. "XXXO" (Blaqstarr Dirty Mix) – 3:04
5. "XXXO" (Various Remix) – 3:02

• ;US red transparent 7" single

:A. "XXXO" (Album Version) – 2:58

:B. "XXXO" (Blaqstarr Dirty Mix) – 3:03

{{col-2}}

• ;US CD single

1. "XXXO" (Fulton Yard/WaltBoogie Remix) featuring Jay-Z – 3:04
2. "XXXO" (Fulton Yard/Rieces Pieces Remix) featuring Jay-Z – 2:56
3. "XXXO" (Main Mix) featuring Jay-Z – 2:53
4. "XXXO" (SBTRKT Remix) – 3:33
5. "XXXO" (Various Remix) – 3:01
6. "XXXO" (Riton ReRub) – 3:48

• ;US digital EP – The Remixes{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/xxxo-the-remixes-ep/id377468020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624055055/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/xxxo-the-remixes-ep/id377468020 |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 June 2010 |title=XXXO (The Remixes) – EP by M.I.A. |publisher=iTunes Store (US). Apple |access-date=4 January 2014}}

1. "XXXO" (Main Mix) featuring Jay-Z – 2:53
2. "XXXO" (Fulton Yard/WaltBoogie Remix) featuring Jay-Z – 3:04
3. "XXXO" (Fulton Yard/Rieces Pieces Remix) featuring Jay-Z – 2:56

• ;US digital EP – The Remixes Part 2{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/xxxo-the-remixes-vol-2-ep/id378505719 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704083259/http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/xxxo-the-remixes-vol-2-ep/id378505719 |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 July 2010 |title=XXXO (The Remixes, Vol. 2) – EP by M.I.A. |publisher=iTunes Store (US). Apple |access-date=29 July 2010}}

1. "XXXO" (SBTRKT Remix) – 3:33
2. "XXXO" (Various Remix) – 3:01
3. "XXXO" (Riton ReRub) – 3:48

{{col-2}}

{{col-end}}

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Maya.{{cite AV media notes |title=Maya |type=CD liner notes |others=M.I.A. |year=2010 |publisher=N.E.E.T Recordings |id=XLCD497}}

• M.I.A. – vocals, songwriting
• Ben H. Allen – mixing
• Blaqstarr – production, songwriting
• Cherry Byron-Withers – songwriting
• Robert Gardiner – mix assistance
• Rusko – production

{{Reflist}}

{{M.I.A.}}

{{Jay-Z songs}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Xxxo}}

Category:2010 singles

Category:2010 songs

Category:Interscope Records singles

Category:M.I.A. (rapper) songs

Category:British synth-pop songs

Category:XL Recordings singles

Category:Songs written by Blaqstarr

Category:Songs written by M.I.A. (rapper)