MIA addresses 'neo-Nazi' criticism of her latest music video

The self-directed music video which depicts the migrant crisis has stirred controversy

M.I.A recounts her first-hand experience of being a refugee (Youtube)

M.I.A has spoken out about the "neo-Nazi" criticism over her latest music video for the song "Borders".

The British musician's self-directed video tackles the refugee crisis and includes graphic scenes of migrants climbing barbed wire fences and travelling across the sea on makeshift rafts.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, she said: “The reaction has been extreme as always, with most of my work. It has weeded out a lot of hate with neo-Nazi groups and people thinking that it's causing white genocide, and that's what I'm promoting.”

Although the London-based singer has been subject to criticism, she says her fans have remained supportive throughout.

“Obviously, on the other side, I have had a tremendous amount of support from my fans and other people who feel that it's important for artists and musicians to speak about current affairs, and things that actually affect our society," she said.

Having fled from war-torn Sri Lanka to West London with her family when she was nine-years-old, M.I.A has first-hand experience of being a refugee.

The singer, whose full name is Mathangi Arulpragasam, told Al Jazeera how "positive" her experience was.

“I think integration is a positive thing … I’m a product of that. It has valuable contribution to culture. Creativity especially has thrived out of something like that,” she explained. “When I first came out as a musician, I always championed the concept of multiculturalism”.

Alluding to the current refugee crisis facing Europe, she added: “I just felt that I as a refugee wasn’t really in a position to turn around to all of these people and say ‘Don’t come’”.