Biography

Riz Ahmed, an Oxford graduate with a London pirate radio background, had his 2006 debut single “Post 9/11 Blues” temporarily banned from British airwaves, within months of being detained by British Intelligence for acting in Michael Winterbottom’s multi-award winning film ‘Road to Guantanamo’ (outside of music, he is an actor)… He also starred in BAFTA winning TV film ‘Britz’… Here is a seriously versatile UK talent, winning plaudits by word of mouth across a diverse range of audiences. The reasons for this are simple - he’s a fantastic performer holding a distinctive voice with something to say, said over a fresh and bold musical palette.

His recent and upcoming gig listing is a testament to his rare ability to win a following across such diverse crowds: supporting Jazzy B (Soul II Soul) at Wembley Arena, showcases at Glastonbury, BBC Electric Proms, and a Radio1 Maida Vale session, playing his second year at the BBC Electric Proms with Sinden, The Warehouse Project with Dizzee Rascal, and a prison with Billy Bragg.

He was then snapped up for a US showcase tour alongside Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip, The Rascals, Pigeon Detectives, Fuck Buttons, Laura Marling, and others. Returning with rave reviews from blogs to broadsheets (“holy shit”, “sensational”, “pick of SXSW”), Massive Attack chose him as their support act for the opening performance of their 2008 Meltdown Festival.

Renowned for biting and wry observational lyricism, and described as “Mos Def meets the Prodigy”, his musical canvas ranges from banging electronic beats to orchestral string arrangements.