The rising star talks new film, 'City of Tiny Lights,' & being one half of hip-hop duo Swet Shop Boys.
You had an amazing year last year – have you had to fight really hard to get to this point, or has it been a long time coming?
“There are no overnight successes. I’ve been lucky to be a part of some really successful films, but I judge my success more on, ‘Have I done the best I could possibly do, and have I contributed something fresh?’ Sometimes yes and sometimes no.”
Are you now at the stage where you can be picky about what projects you pursue?
“Out of stupidity, I’ve always been picky. I’ve always felt if I’m going to take time out of doing music – which is an opportunity for me to say exactly what I want and for people hear it on my terms – then it needs to be for something I believe in and would stand by, just like I’d stand by my own voice when I write a song. I guess there’s just more stuff that comes my way now and so it’s more tempting to do it.”
Your 2006 song ‘The Post 9/11 Blues’ helped you get a role in 2010’s hilarious – but has your politics ever hindered you?
“I don’t see it as ‘my politics’. It’s just me trying to be creative and talk about my personal experiences. That’s what storytelling and art is about, right? My experience has involved some weird stuff you sometimes see in the headlines; that’s all I’m doing. Loads of people talk about their own experience but because they’re not the subject of news specials or big exclamatory tabloid headlines, they’re not seen as political. Really I’m just trying to tell my story. If it contributes to something fresh, then cool, if people are interested in it, cool. It’s hard to be seen as anything other than a political artist if you’re born into a certain body and a certain place and time. I don’t want to run from that. If you want to call me a political artist, cool – I’ll take it as a compliment – but that’s not the thought process in my head.”
You’ve been vocal about Trump on Twitter. How are you feeling about the next four years?
“I don’t think it matters how we feel. If you think there’s work to be done to change the situation and try and pull us back from the brink of conflict and division then there’s work to be done. Doesn’t matter if you feel good about yourself after going on a march. Doesn’t matter if you feel depressed watching the news. Are you doing the thing that needs to be done? That’s it, really.”
What’s next for you?
“I’m going out to tour with the Swet Shop Boys to Coachella, LA and New York. We’re releasing an EP for Record Store Day, and recording the next album while we’re out there. A month of solid music – then releasing the album, touring, doing a play, writing a TV show and filming three or four things.”
Can I ask what any of those are?
“You can ask, I just can’t tell you…”
The post Riz Ahmed: How he reached the top doing things is own way appeared first on NME.
Keep up to date with all the best music and entertainment happenings by visiting our News page.
