It’s not often you hear a rapper with a really fresh, attention-grabbing style these days. Too many poor imitations of a pre-existing archetype, artists reverting to dull clichés or just generally failing to keep it particularly “real”. Good thing then that this young British Indian upstart is doing a fine job of offering something different, with an almost poetic style flow and lyrics that are clear to comprehend and are both incisive and rib-tickling.

He’s been grabbing headlines from the off, with his first single Post 9/11 Blues in 2006 getting banned from British airplay due to the “political sensitivity” of its satirical lyrics, and since then he’s been chosen as a BBC Introducing artist (playing Glastonbury and the Electric Proms in 2007 as a result), opened Meltdown Festival in London with Massive Attack, made some impressive headway in the world of acting, and found favour with everyone from breaks merchants Air to Damian Lazarus (with stunning new track Radar just out on his Crosstown Rebels label). Oh and he’s got a degree in PPE from Oxford. Not your average rapper then…

How and when were you first infected by dance music?

There were a lot of bootlegs and remix cassettes in the shops round my area, I used to listen to them before I was old enough to go raving and got obsessed. It was hip-hop and garage, mixed with bhangra and Indian films. Then it was jungle raves – seeing the MCs. I went home and started writing lyrics straight away. I knew I wanted to be up there doing that.

When did you start [writing], and how long was it before you started making tracks that you were really happy with?

I wrote my first rave MC lyrics at about 14 or 15. I carried on down that road for a while and did parties and pirate slots, but I wasn’t confident performing my more song-based stuff that had a bit more depth to it until a few years later. I think the turning point was when I started combining the vibe of the two approaches, and so my new stuff is the first I’m really happy with. It’s my own style - no-one is really doing what I’m doing.

What have been your personal favourite productions so far?

Own – Lazersonic has nailed what I wanted to do and brought his own crispy edge to it, we work well together. My favourite track of my own is Radar. There’s nothing out there that sounds like it – and I really feel the vibe of it reflects who I am, and what I want to do musically – write songs with substance and make genuinely fresh tracks that cut through genres. 

Where does your name come from?

It’s my actual name. I was MC Rizla for a while at the start. But what I do is all about being honest and putting myself out there, so Riz MC is the obvious choice.

Who would you most like to work with?

Jonnie Greenwood form Radiohead.

What have you got in store for the coming months?

I’ve been gigging a lot – with Massive Attack, Dizzee Rascal, and at fabric and stuff, so I’m looking forward to going into hibernation, getting obsessive finishing my album. While I do that, Radar / People Like People is out now on Crosstown Rebels in Novemeber. Then the next single next year. I’ve also got a drama out on US. TV that’s just been nominated for an Emmy, and a couple of films out in cinemas early next year. 

What can we expect from one of your [live] sets?

A lot of energy, and proper communication. I jump all over the place and like giving a real performance. It helps to take it to the crowd and genuinely talk to them. And if you’re going for it on stage, so are they.

If you weren’t an [MC], what would you be?

A very grumpy and bitter person…actually I think I’m that anyway.

Which other producers and DJs do you really rate?

As live DJs I love the Plumps. I rate Switch, and his stuff with M.I.A. and Santogold. 4hero for just reinventing and always staying solid. I like versatile people like Zero dB, and James Ford. And in general I’m feeling Caspa, Chase & Status, Rustie. Coming up I’m watching and rooting for Sukh Knight and Kidnappa.

As far as lyricists or MCs go at the moment I really rate Mike Skinner, Alex Turner, and Durrty Goodz.
 
Radar is out now on Crosstown Rebels with a tasty Loco Dice remix (hint: you need to hear it on a big system). Check out the video for Radar below: