M.I.A Claims Beyoncé and Jay-Z Pressured Her Into 'Satanic Rituals' and Plastic Surgery in Viral Video

M.I.A has reignited controversy after a resurfaced viral video showed her making a series of explosive allegations against Beyoncé, Jay-Z and their Roc Nation label, claiming she faced plastic surgery pressure and was pushed towards what she described as 'occult rituals' during her time with the company.

The video, originally posted in 2024 and recently reposted across social media platforms, has triggered renewed debate over power imbalance in the music industry and the broader issue of artist autonomy and consent.

While the allegations remain unverified, the video has drawn intense scrutiny from fans and critics, placing Roc Nation back at the centre of a conversation about control, image and influence.

Allegations Surface: Rituals, Surgery and Control

M.I.A. (real name Mathangi 'Maya' Arulpragasam) says in the video that Jay-Z told her to get plastic surgery as soon as she signed with Roc Nation in 2012.

She rejected the proposal, stating she was confident in her appearance: 'If I was insecure I would have got plastic surgery.'

'That was barely the beginning', she alleges. Later, according to M.I.A., she was forced to take part in rituals involving blood, 'black goo,' and other occult-style imagery, which were purportedly guaranteed as a contractual prerequisite for success.

She recounted feeling misled, stating that the demands highlighted a darker side of the music industry where image control, symbolism, and power overshadowed creativity.

These allegations have no independent verification, and no corroborating evidence has been presented. The claims remain based solely on M.I.A's personal account in the video.

From Roc Nation Deal to Public Break

Before releasing her album Matangi in 2012, M.I.A. signed with Jay-Z's Roc Nation label.

By December 2013, barely a year later, she announced her departure, citing artistic differences. Given her disclosures, many industry observers now see this exit as more than just a business decision.

Her career later slowed compared with the commercial trajectory many had projected. Some fans and insiders speculate that the resignation might have been motivated by an unwillingness to comply with the conditions she detailed in light of these claims. These interpretations, however, are speculative and not supported by published industry documentation.

Public Reaction: Outrage, Scepticism, and Debate

Online responses to the video's resurfacing have been overwhelming. Some fans and critics reacted with shock and sorrow, calling M.I.A.'s admissions brave and shedding light on potential abuses in the entertainment industry.

Others raised caution, noting M.I.A.'s history of outspoken and controversial utterances. There are pleas for evidence, few accept her allegation at face value, and no reliable confirmation has yet emerged. Among sceptics, some fear the claims could amount to a 'character attack,' presumably founded in personal issues.

Yet the fierceness of the reaction reveals a bigger concern: the culture of silence and power imbalance in the music business. For many, the allegations, if true, would expose a terrible betrayal of trust by two of the world's most prominent musicians.

Silence from Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Roc Nation

As of this writing, neither Beyoncé nor Jay-Z nor their representatives have publicly replied to M.I.A.'s fresh allegations. Roc Nation hasn't said anything either.

Industry insiders inform reporters that a formal response is unlikely and that legal teams would advise against answering, particularly given the dearth of hard evidence thus far.

That silence, however, has not quieted the rumours. Many people become even more suspicious and irritated when there is no counterargument.

What It Means for the Music Industry At Large

Whether M.I.A.'s charges are factual or not, the debate emphasises bigger issues of power, image, and consent in the music world. Fundamentally, it raises unsettling questions about how female artists, particularly women of colour, may feel pressured to meet unattainable and potentially hazardous norms.

Allegations such as these underscore the risks artists may face in a setting where success is frequently determined by compliance, visibility, and adherence to branding. Additionally, they demand greater agency, better protection, and openness for performers who may be torn between obligation and ambition.

The claims are still unverified, but M.I.A. has ensured the discussion won't end anytime soon.