Riz Ahmed
Riz Ahmed
Rizwan "Riz" Ahmed, also known as Riz MC, is an English actor and rapper. He is known for his acclaimed work in films such as The Road to Guantanamo, Shifty, Four Lions, Trishna, Ill Manors and Nightcrawler...
NationalityBritish
ProfessionMovie Actor
Date of Birth1 December 1982
exactly releasing
The fact is, I've been releasing records longer than I've been releasing films, or at least exactly as long.
What's interesting about the U.K. is that it celebrates an alternative voice. It's up for telling new stories.
labels multiple round slip tries trying
I'm always trying to slip out of those labels everyone tries to put round your neck. We all have multiple selves.
across classes films grown insider liked music naturally outsider puts terms
In terms of negotiating a career - I've always grown up being an insider and an outsider to different worlds, across different classes and cultures, so I have always naturally liked making films or music that puts things in unexpected places.
lots narrow nor played range work
I don't feel that any kind of narrow stereotypes are representative of the work I've done, nor the range of the audience that work has found. I've played lots of different roles, and they've connected with lots of different people.
I don't think any of us like to be reduced to just one label.
people role themselves
My parents, man, they're just the most loving, encouraging... They're like those people who define themselves through their role as parents before people in their own rights.
acting music personal
My music is a very personal reflection of me, whereas, acting a role, that's a reflection of another character.
subvert whether
Bandwagons roll through our lives. It's up to you whether you jump on them unquestioningly or jump on them to overturn them and subvert them.
best fit people trying worried
I'm not trying to project any persona. Often people don't know where to put me. I don't fit comfortably under banners, and that's fine. I'm not worried about not making sense to people. That's probably my best asset.
almost bit caught
I like the idea of being caught between things, always being a bit of an outsider, having an outside eye on things - almost like a Shakespearean fool.
people doubt acting
The only people who have doubts about the sincerity of my music are people who come to it relatively late, off the back of having seen me in a film. Acting is about being other people, and music is about being myself.
rap inspiration stuff
I go to a lot of stand-up comedy. I find more inspiration from observational stuff than from rap.
weekend winning thinking
I think that with piracy and tighter funds being around, people are realising that the game to play is to try and win people's respect with bold film making and then win a special place in people's collections, rather than just having the biggest opening weekends.