M.I.A. began work on " Paper Planes " with American producer Diplo and English DJ Switch in London . Diplo came up with the idea of sampling English rock band the Clash 's 1982 song " Straight to Hell " and produced the instrumental track with assistance from Switch . As a result , all members of the Clash were credited as co-writers . M.I.A. drew inspiration for the lyrics from her own troubles gaining a work permit to the US , complaining that the issue was probably " them thinking that I might '' sic '' to fly a plane into the Trade Center " . From her frustration with US immigration policy , M.I.A. developed " Paper Planes " as a satire of American perception of immigrants from war-torn countries
fly a plane into the Trade Center
September 11 attacks
Paper Planes (M.I.A. song)