I don't think any of us like to be reduced to just one label.
From Riz Ahmed
I have always been restless, had a lot of energy.
My music is a very personal reflection of me, whereas, acting a role, that's a reflection of another character.
I go to a lot of stand-up comedy. I find more inspiration from observational stuff than from rap.
The camera or the microphone in the booth is merciless. If you don't believe what you're saying, it hears it. If you don't believe it, it sees it in your eyes, it hears it in your voice that there isn't the conviction there.
What's interesting about the U.K. is that it celebrates an alternative voice. It's up for telling new stories.
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.
I'm always trying to slip out of those labels everyone tries to put round your neck. We all have multiple selves.
The fact is, I've been releasing records longer than I've been releasing films, or at least exactly as long.
'Post 9/11 Blues' is an observational satire about the surreal circus of fear at that time. It's a generational thing.
4 perspectives
3 perspectives
1 perspectives