E-mail a friendJanuary 28, 2009
Newly-appointed Illinois U.S. Sen. Roland Burris comments on whether he's the best person to hold on to the senate seat in two years. Grammy- and Oscar-nominated hip-hop artist M.I.A. describes the conflict taking place in her native Sri Lanka.
Sen. Roland Burris
Sen. Roland Burris
Illinois senator offers his take on what is happening to Gov. Blagojevich. (1:47)
Full interview. (10:37)
Prior to his appointment as Illinois' junior U.S. Senator, Roland Burris had a history of firsts. He was the first African American elected to statewide office in Illinois—as comptroller—and the first African American national bank examiner for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. His public service also includes state attorney general. A native of the state, Burris studied International Law at the University of Hamburg in Germany as an exchange student and holds a J.D. from Howard University School of Law.
M.I.A.
M.I.A.
Hip-hop artist shares her feelings about her Oscar-nominated song from the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack. (1:22)
Full interview. (12:21)
With her politically edgy lyrics, British-born, Sri Lankan-raised M.I.A. has gone from underground artist to commercial success. The songwriter, producer, rapper and graphic designer's debut CD, "Arular," was released to critical acclaim, and Rolling Stone named her sophomore effort, "Kala," best album of '07. Her "Paper Planes" single, featured on the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack, is nominated for a Grammy, and she received a best song Oscar nod for 'O Saya." She also has her own fashion line and a music label, N.E.E.T.