What's That Song Playing When Monica Learns to Double Dutch on 'Heroes'?

'Boyz,' by M.I.A.

Monkey see, monkey do: That's pretty much sums up the superpower for one of the newest characters in NBC's prime-time hit 'Heroes' -- Monica is a muscle mimicker. If you suddenly had the ability to imitate any movement in the world, would you pick a normal playground activity? Probably not. But she did! So how do you amp up a scene that has the potential to flop? You compliment it with a song. The producers at 'Heroes' chose M.I.A.'s 'Boyz' to enhance Monica's jumping-rope scene on the playground. She never knew how to double dutch, but all she has to do is watch a few girls jump up and down ... and suddenly she's a master.

As for the song's creator, the London-born, Sri Lankan-raised ragga/rap/dancehall hipster popped into the music world when her second recording -- ever -- fell into Steve Mackey and Ross Orton's hands. In 2003, 500 vinyl copies of M.I.A's single 'Galang' were pressed, becoming a huge hit with DJs. In 2004, the combination of file-sharing and word of mouth spread her music worldwide, making her an international underground indie hit.

Born Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, M.I.A. is known for many things including crazy performances, ad-libbing political lyrics into her music and her song 'Sunshowers,' which was banned from MTV's video rotation because of lyrics making reference to the Palestine Liberation Organization. In May 2006, the British rapper was denied a United States work visa. She was planning to come to the States to record her most recent album, 'Kala,' but being that the U.S. was not going to permit that, she used the power of her MySpace blog to speak out about her anger toward the American government. That's just another reason M.I.A. made Spinner's list of women who rock right now.


Listen to the song!

Buy it on iTunes

Next: 'Grey's' Song

• Watch the video for 'Boyz'
• See photos of M.I.A. at CMJ 2007