click a star to vote
Jul 29th 2009!⃝It definitely is a sociocritical and in a way ironical song.
She is dealing with the stereotypes, prejudices and generalizations many people have against foreigners respectively immigrants e.g. That they are criminal, violent etc. as she is a british woman with sri lankan roots herself.
Another speculated interpretation:
In her refrain she condemns the american foreign policy
Explanation:
All I wanna do is [start a war] -> (BANG BANG BANG BANG!)
And [rob your ressources, oil, whatever] -> (KKKAAAA CHING!)
And take your money [this is literally]
There are many other assumptions - probably only M.I.A. Herself can doubtlessly explain what she is singing about ;)
p.s.: You're right, in the video she is selling subs, no drugs, but just look at the shape... I think its supposed to appear like a giant joint or maybe even well wrapped drugs. The scene is redolent of the video "because I got high" by afroman, who is selling drugs out of a ice cream truck as well. The jamaican-looking fellow next to her might even support this thesis, because I think everyone knows what they are renowned for ;)
