Amelia Hamilton is (as far as she knows) the only female stand-up rap comedian in the UK. A regular across the UK comedy circuit, she has performed everywhere, from the Komedia in Brighton to The Stand, making her mark in rooms up and down the country. A finalist in the 2023 Musical Comedy Awards, Amelia was also the runner-up in the prestigious Komedia New Comedy Awards in 2024 and a BBC New Comedy Awards Nominee in the same year. She is bringing her debut show ‘Forget Me Not’ to the Fringe in August. We spoke to Amelia about the show, her melding of stand-up and rap, and her hopes and expectations for August.

Can you tell us about ‘Forget Me Not’?

It’s an explosive hour of stand-up and rap. My whole generation was told we can be anything. ‘Forget Me Not’ is an exploration of the repercussions.

For those unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe your comedy style and approach to performance?

I’d say my style is very high energy and playful. That’s actually a big part of my approach to performance. Play. Whenever I feel myself getting nervous, I always tell myself, it’s play. Just go and play. That removes any pressure I feel and gives me permission to go and have fun. That’s literally why we’re all in the room.

I think there is definitely a cerebral element to my comedy too. There is a lot of underlying meaning to stuff I write if you want to find it. You don’t have to. It is just top line funny too. For example, a topic on pet names is a social commentary on the pervasive yet almost invisible sexism embedded in language but I also imply you’re fucking your nan so you can also just laugh at that if you want.

When did you first decide to combine rap and comedy? Were you already doing both simultaneously, or did one expand into the other?

I did rap before I got into comedy, but when I first started stand-up, I focused purely on doing straight sets — no rap. As soon as I brought rap into the equation it felt very instinctive. I think adding in rap helped me find my voice more clearly. I’m proud of how I use rap, and I stick to the rule that if it isn’t funny without music, it isn’t funny with it. There are jokes in every line and it doesn’t follow traditional song structure. It’s why I didn’t think anyone would want to listen to the raps again. They are not designed for a second listen because if you’ve heard the joke why would you want it repeated? But I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the demand for it and I have now laced the tracks with double meanings, foreshadowing and sly references so you can listen to this album again and again and hopefully keep finding new things.

How is that album coming along, and how much does it crossover with the show?

The album is finished! The album has the tracks from the show (bar a couple which require a little more context) plus a few extra just straight rap tracks that aren’t comedy. These extra tracks are the playlist for when the audience enters before the show and while they leave. Lately I’ve been running and listening to my own rap which feels pretty badass.

‘Forget Me Not,’ is your debut Edinburgh show. What are your hopes and expectations for the month?

To have the best time and learn loads and hang out with friends and meet new people and test my mettle and ideally have lots of material success but you can only control what you can control right? So I’m trying to focus on all the things in my power and not let the variables I can’t control take up too much brain space.

Apart from ‘Forget Me Not’, is there anything you’re particularly looking forward to (or dreading) about the Fringe?

I can’t wait to see everyone. I feel like as a comedian on the circuit there are certain people you end up seeing all the time and others that are like ships in the night. Edinburgh is basically where all those ships dock and we get to hang out in the harbour. So I can’t wait to watch my friends be brilliant and have lots of fun.

Beside your show, can we expect to see you performing elsewhere during August?

Yes I will be doing lots of compilation bills and spots in other shows but one place you will definitely see me is at Stand Up Philosophy. It’s one of my favourite gigs to do. Run by Alex Farrow (great comedian and brilliant director of my show), it involves comedians performing a set on a philosophy-based theme and then the audience gets to ask questions after. The format makes it one of the most reciprocal relationships I’ve seen emerge between audience and comic. For me it feels like a cross between stand up, a seminar and therapy. It’s on every day of the Fringe and you can catch some brilliant comedians there.

Are there any other acts at the Fringe that you would recommend audiences see?

Yes, and here is where you now make me feel so guilty and not be able to get to sleep at night because I miss brilliant people off the list. I can’t do an exhaustive list. I’m sweating at the thought. Can I just give you two groups? Firstly, the Impatient roster. I feel so lucky to be grouped together with an incredible gang of shows. All of them are well worth a watch. Secondly, my fellow debuts. I want to start listing people but my anxiety is climbing at the thought of missing someone. Just go and see all the other acts doing their debut show. I’m thrilled to be part of such a brilliant, varied and kind group of people. Oh and funny. All of these shows I’ve teased in a non-specific, cagey way are SO FUNNY.

‘Forget Me Not‘ is at Pleasance Courtyard – Attic from Wed 30 Jul to Sun 24 Aug 2025 at 21:45