Riz Ahmed - Once Kings [Video]

Photography by Sharif Hamza

Rapper and actor Riz Ahmed releases ‘Once Kings’ along with visuals featuring clips from the critically acclaimed, recently released movie, ‘Mogul Mowgli’, which features Ahmed in its starring role.

Directed by Myriam Raja and edited by Chloe Hardwick, the video for this revelatory and deeply expressive track also features archive footage from Riz’s childhood, a reflection of the song’s personal content. It’s a strong follow up to the passionately powerful album ‘The Long Goodbye’ that impressed critics upon its release last March. ‘Once Kings’, produced by Ben Khan and CID RIM, is a more intimate offering, set over mesmerising production and soft beats where Riz shows us his skill for storytelling in softly spoken vocals, which grow louder and more impassioned as the song moves forward. The effect is mesmerising and potent. In Riz’s words: “This is the most personal track I have ever made, drawn from the same experiences that inspired the film ‘Mogul Mowgli’. It’s about events forcing you to face what really matters; fame or family, success or spirituality, the pressure and desire to represent your people or the need to preserve your own health and well being.”

You can watch the spellbinding visuals for Riz Ahmed’s ‘Once Kings’, here:

CREDITS

Director - Myriam Raja

Editor - Chloe Hardwick

Creative Director - Andrea Gelardin