“Well I finished my degree, got a scholarship to go to drama school. Since then, I’ve been writing, acting, and rapping, I acted in a film ‘Road to Guantanamo’, a play ‘Prayer room’, some US television, wrote the raps for a Universal pictures film about uk hip hop, and right now I’m working on ‘Gadaffi the Opera’ at the English National Opera with the Asian Dub Foundation.”

Yes Riz, hows things going for you these days?

Not bad – just never enough time… hope things cool with you? I’m well thanks man.

So what have you been up to since your days of promoting Hit&Run in Oxford?

Oi – gimme my full credit man I founded Hit&Run, not just promoted it…hahaha. Well I finished my degree, got a scholarship to go to drama school. Since then, I’ve been writing, acting, and rapping, I acted in a film ‘Road to Guantanamo’, a play ‘Prayer room’, some US television, wrote the raps for a Universal pictures film about uk hip hop, and right now im working on ‘Gadaffi the Opera’ at the English National Opera with the Asian Dub Foundation. And trying to pimp my music.

I’ve had the good fortune to check some of the clips of you at The Jump Off. How did that get hooked up and how did you do in the end?

Well I try to generally rap about more than people’s mums, but MC battling is the ultimate cerebral extreme sport, keeps you sharp – also the exposure was something we could all do with as rappers in this overcrowded undernourished uk scene – so I did The Jump Off. I’d already won the ONEMUSIC/ BATTLESCARS special competition live on Ras Kwame’s show on Radio1, and Bobby Friction and Nihal’s ‘BOMBAY BRONX’ competition, but Jump Off is just sooo damn raw…that crowd are evil man! I went down to the last three at the Spin the Mic competition. The crowd boo’ed me cos they though I was being racist – I was in fact responding to my opponents racist comments. What can you do…went over their heads.. People seem to agree I had the best lines on the night – see for yourself

You clearly have your battling down to a fine art, you got any tunes out there that people need to hear?

Right now people need to check out my tune ‘The Post-9/11 Blues’ it’s a family-guy style satire, people really like the tongue-in-cheek style it’s a refreshing change from angry-man MC’s. But its about getting it heard – Xfm and Radio1 dj’s are loving it, but aren’t allowed to play it cos of the content…The Independent newspaper are doing a piece on it too….so if your reading this, please please download it and email it to all your mates.

I peeped your Myspace to listen to Post 9/11 Blues. Was this track inspired off the back of your leading role in Road To Guantanamo?

Not really if I’m honest it was more general than that. It was inspired by the insane climate we’re all living in – from the constant news reality TV drama of death and fear – the way 9/11 has become an industry for shows like 24 or West Wing, almost a lifestyle choice and a brand we’re being sold - right wing political views are the new puffer jackets. Also, I got illegally detained and insulted/interrogated/fucked with by really [deleted for a reason - Ed] ‘Intelligance Officers’ at Luton airport on the way back from the Berlin Film Festival where the Road To Guantanamo won the Silver Bear…so ironic…I just thought right, gotta get this tune out there now!…

You seem to be ridiculously busy right now. I think me and most people who know you and your music want to know where we can next catch Confidential Collective. Have you got any dates coming up?

Yes we do! 28th April – Corpus Christi Ball, Oxford 29th April – Anti-Nuclear Rally, South Parks, Oxford 30th April – Sankeys Soap, Manchester and we got an amazing new lead vocalist too…come down and support goddammit!

Ok, ok, time for the serious part of the interview – Whats the favourite meal for Riz?

Nihaari – a special curry with dough water stewed overnight – most restaurants too scared to even try and make it but my mummy does it the bestest!

What were the last 3 albums you copped?

New Sector Movements – Turn it up Dangerdoom – The Mouse and the Mask …erm, I don’t really buy music, I try my hardest to steal it where possible. God Bless Limewire.

Lastly, where can we, the general public, find out more from your good self?

If I’m lucky and things get better then imdb.com, if they get worse, probably on BBC News 24 live from Belmarsh prison admitting to having once farted in the same northwesterly direction as Osama bin Laughing. And obviously here at Blunted!! Brrrraaaap! For more info: www.myspace.com/rizmc