The only reason to care about Travis Scott’s “Franchise” is M.I.A.

It is a shame that a living legend can only get a US #1 by pandering to mediocrity, but she’s earned our indulgence

Let us start by stating the obvious: Travis Scott’s latest big hit sucks! It is lazy, bland and doesn’t even sound good… for the most part. While we’re at it, here’s an admission of guilt: we worship M.I.A. Not to the point of praising her bad work–never!–but at least to be forgiving of a faux pas or two.

M.I.A. is, without hyperbole, one of the most important artists of the 21st century. We can easily get distracted from this review and gush about all the reasons why, but let’s focus. It is true that her releases have been few and far between lately, and that none have matched the brilliance of her first few years. She more than made up for it, however, by releasing a documentary of her life’s work last year, which did a great job explaining why she is so vital, without boasting or self-aggrandising.

There is nothing but boasting and self-aggrandising on “Franchise”, and none of it is interesting, including M.I.A.’s bit. But when she finally takes the mic to deliver the closing verse it is such a pleasure to hear her flow and typically bonkers words that we can’t stop listening. That pleasure is heightened by watching the clip while she raps: in contrast to the bling-fest that precedes her, M.I.A. has chosen to spit her bars surrounded by dozens of sheep in the English countryside, clad in a suit of real flowers. Yep, you heard that right! This has to be our favourite image of 2020!

“Franchise” has made it all the way to the top of the Billboard charts, making it M.I.A.’s first ever number one hit. She has deserved it so many times before that if it takes collaborating with Travis Scott (and let’s not forget Young Thug, who seems to just float by) to get it at last we won’t hold it against her. All those sheep around her probably have some sort of deeper meaning, but we’ll leave it to you to interpret as you please.