British rapper M.I.A., known for her provocative and boundary-pushing artistry, has unveiled a new venture: a conspiracy-laden clothing line called Ohmni, designed to protect wearers from radiowaves and nanoparticles. The announcement was fittingly made on the infamous right-wing conspiracy website Infowars, run by Alex Jones.
Silver ponchos and conspiracy theories
M.I.A., whose real name is Mathangi ‘Maya’ Arulpragasam, introduced the brand Ohmni, claiming that its silver ponchos can shield wearers from what she described as “evil dust” or nanoparticles. In a statement to Dazed, she explained the protective qualities of the clothing line. Jones, a well-known conspiracy theorist, praised the collection, calling it “pure genius” and adding, “The CIA is obsessed with style and fashion, that’s how they control culture.”
Ohmni’s mission: Privacy and autonomy
Ohmni’s mission statement addresses various contemporary issues such as “smart cities, digital crypto, and internal body data harvesting,” positioning the clothing line as essential for preserving privacy, autonomy, and rights over one’s body and data. “This is not your artist foray into fashion. This is a necessity,” the statement reads. The clothing is described as “the armour of the modern knight” in a time when homes are likened to “digital battlefields.” “If the conspiracy theorists are wrong, good for you, you own some beautiful clothes made with pure silver and precious metals. But, if they are right, you just might have saved the future of humanity,” the statement concludes.
Details of the clothing line
The official Instagram for Ohmni elaborates on the clothing’s design, including the “full protection poncho,” made with 48% pure copper-nickel, which purportedly renders the wearer invisible to thermal imaging, drones, and UAVs. The poncho claims to block 99.99% of Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, 5G, Bluetooth, RFID, GPS, satellite, and EMF radiation. Additionally, a “tin foil hat” provides “100% brain coverage” with similar protective claims.
M.I.A.’s history of controversial views
This is not the first instance of M.I.A., 48, expressing her conspiracy-fueled viewpoints. In 2022, she sparked controversy by tweeting in support of Alex Jones, who was ordered to pay nearly $1 billion to the families of Sandy Hook mass shooting victims for claiming the attack was staged. M.I.A. questioned, “If Alex Jones pays for lying shouldn’t every celebrity pushing vaccine pay too?” In the same year, during an interview with The Guardian, M.I.A. shared her scepticism about vaccines, stating, “I know three people who have died from taking the vaccine and I know three people who have died from Covid. This is in my life, in my experience.” Despite scientific consensus and official statements from Pfizer indicating that heart issues related to the vaccine are rare and that there have been no signs of DNA mutation or vaccine-induced cancer, M.I.A. remains vocal about her concerns.
Earlier this year, the rapper, who received an MBE, took to social media to blame President Biden for her difficulties in obtaining a U.S. visa for her 14-year-old son, Ikhyd. M.I.A.’s latest album, “Mata,” coincided with these bold statements, further highlighting her commitment to using her platform to challenge mainstream narratives and advocate for her controversial beliefs.
