I'm working it out, man. I'm working through some stuff, trying to find my way like everyone.
Riz AhmedI go to a lot of stand-up comedy. I find more inspiration from observational stuff than from rap.
Riz AhmedYou know 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.
Riz AhmedI think creativity is something that best happens when you have clear parameters. If you're not confined by anything then it's meaningless. You've got to rap over the beat, or you've got to color within your canvas. You pick the canvas size first. That makes most sense to me.
Riz AhmedThe 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.
Riz AhmedFirst, you have stereotypes, and that will be the black drug dealer, the east Asian kung fu master, the Middle Eastern terrorist in 'True Lies.' Then you have stuff that takes place on culturally specific terrain, that engages with it, but actually subverts assumptions. 'Smashes' stereotypes. That's where I've come into the game.
Riz Ahmed