Riz Ahmed On 'Hamlet,' British Hip Hop, James Bond, & Gen Z American Slang | Complex News

Why It Matters

Ahmed’s culturally‑grounded Hamlet shows how classic works can engage diverse, younger audiences, while his cross‑disciplinary approach signals a shift toward more inclusive storytelling in film and television.

Key Takeaways

• Ahmed sees Shakespeare as lyrical, akin to rap flow.
• Modern Hamlet set in British South Asian family adds cultural relevance.
• Film uses first‑person shooter style to make Shakespeare feel like thriller.
• Ahmed blends acting and music, breaking compartmentalized identity barriers.
• New series “Bait” explores audition anxiety and James Bond fantasy.

Summary

In a Complex News interview, Oscar‑winner Riz Ahmed discusses his new film‑stage hybrid of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, his upcoming series Bait, and his dual career as actor and rapper.

Ahmed argues that Shakespeare’s poetry works like rap lyrics, emphasizing musicality and flow. He says the play’s themes of alienation and gaslighting resonate with today’s Gen‑Z anxieties, and the director’s first‑person‑shooter visual language turns the tragedy into a modern thriller.

He notes that setting Hamlet within a British South‑Asian family makes the story’s concerns about honor, arranged marriage and ancestral ghosts feel authentic. Ahmed also links the plot to the ancient myth that inspired both Hamlet and the Bhagavad‑Gita, underscoring its universal roots.

The conversation highlights how Ahmed is using his platform to dissolve cultural barriers, merge his rap and acting identities, and offer representation that speaks to multicultural audiences, while Bait explores the performative pressures of modern life and the allure of iconic roles like James Bond.

Original Description

Riz Ahmed is taking over the big screen as the world’s latest 'Hamlet.' In this interview with Riz, he opens up to Complex News' Mami Tiff about his introduction to the Shakespeare play, and how he knew at some point in his life he would need to star as Hamlet. Riz discusses the connection between the story of Hamlet, and the British South Asian family experience.

Beyond his latest film, Riz also talks about his series 'Bait,' which opens up the conversation to if he would want to be the next James Bond, and how he marries his love of rap music with acting, and working with Jorja Smith on the soundtrack from the series.

Mami Tiff also looks back on Riz's rap career over the years, and Riz talks about British Hip Hop and some legends in the game you need to know. They also discuss the state of current British Hip-Hop from EsDeeKid to Dave and more.

The two then wrap up in a speed round where Mami Tiff has Riz try to define Gen Z American slang.

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