Riz Mc is the stage name of Riz Ahmed, an MC and actor from Wembley, United Kingdom. Born in 1982, he comes from a London pirate radio background and is associated with HalfLife.

Career

He begins recording and performing as a UK hip-hop and grime artist with a style that combines sharp observational lyricism with a wide musical range. His work is linked to underground hip-hop, grime and dubstep, and it draws on both electronic production and orchestral string arrangements.

Debut and early attention

His debut single, Post 9/11 Blues, appears in 2006 and is temporarily banned from British radio. This follows his detention by British Intelligence after acting in Michael Winterbottom's film Road to Guantanamo. He also appears in the BAFTA-winning television film Britz.

Live work and appearances

He performs across a wide range of venues and events, including support slots for Jazzy B of Soul II Soul at Wembley Arena, showcases at Glastonbury and the BBC Electric Proms, and a Radio 1 Maida Vale session. He also performs at The Warehouse Project with Dizzee Rascal, plays at a prison with Billy Bragg, and joins a US showcase tour alongside Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip, The Rascals, Pigeon Detectives, Fuck Buttons and Laura Marling.

Massive Attack choose him as support for the opening performance of their 2008 Meltdown Festival appearance, and his live shows receive strong attention from blogs and music press. He is described as an artist whose music moves between pounding electronic beats and more orchestral arrangements.