M.I.A. preforms during Sunday's Grammy Awards ceremony.

Credit: AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

HitFix has learned from two independent sources that Hip-Hop artist M.I.A., who impressed many across the world by performing while pregnant on Sunday's Grammy Awards ceremony on her due date, has given birth.  HitFix has reached out to Interscope Records for a comment, but has not recieved word at publication date.  So, it is unclear whether M.I.A. has delievered boy or a girl, but more importantly: Will she make her scheduled Oscar appearance?

Best known for her hit "Paper Planes," the UK rapper, and singer, who was born Maya Arulpragasam, is an Oscar nominee this year for her collaboration with A.R. Rahman on the "Slumdog Millionaire" Best Original Song nominee "O Saya."

M.I.A. had planned to perform at the ceremony in a mixmash medley that will also feature "Slumdog's" other nominee, "Jai Ho" and "Down to Earth" from "WALL-E." "Earth" songwriter Peter Gabriel made news earlier this week by bowing out of the production when he protested the short time his composition was getting in the show.  A collective response of: "Who is Peter Gabriel?" was heard from coast to coast from under 30-year-old moviegoers at the announcement. 

If M.I.A. decides not to perform -- and don't put it past her to try -- who will replace her in the show?  Crazy ass Lil' Kim? Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah (also slated to appear during another show segment) or Eve?  Could MC Lyte be making a comeback?  Or, perhaps the Academy will trek Ms. Dynamite or Lady Sovereign over from the U.K.?  Or, maybe underexposed M.I.A. buddy Kayne West will take a shot at it?  

One thing is for sure, don't count on double threat and Lonely Island collaborator Natalie Portman. She's busy.

Look for predictions, analysis, red carpet photos and the latest winners as HitFix goes inside the Academy Awards all next week.

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