M.I.A. uses "Paper Planes" to adopt the persona of the very stereotype people fear: the "dangerous" immigrant.
The song is built on a notable sample of by the British punk-rock band The Clash . Producers Diplo and Switch layered this with a lazy, downtempo beat that famously features the sounds of gunshots and a cash register in its chorus. Lyrical Meaning and Satire M.I.A – Paper Planes
: The jarring use of gunshot sounds accompanied by a cash register ring ("All I wanna do is [bang bang bang] and take your money") is a mocking take on the "immigrants take our jobs and money" narrative. Cultural Impact and Controversy M.I.A – Paper Planes
: This line directly pokes fun at the paranoia surrounding document forgery. M.I.A – Paper Planes