Eunice Olumide’s ‘Secret Lives’ celebrates UK hip-hop’s founding fathers

Scottish-Nigerian model, activist, actor and media commentator Eunice Olumide recently announced her directorial debut, Secret Lives, a poignant documentary highlighting the conscious hip-hop movement in the UK.

The documentary shines a spotlight on the pioneers of the underground UK hip-hop scene, who knocked the door off its hinges for modern-day stars such as Stormzy and Little Simz to thrive. Olumide seeks to explore the legacy of British hip-hop’s founding fathers and why exactly they have seemingly been written out of history. Told through Olumide’s unique perspective, Secret Lives will feature interviews with key figures in the hip-hop community, archive footage, and a compelling narrative that captures the essence of the movement.

“Throughout my life as an Afro-Scot, it has been disparaging that most Black British history is told not only through an African American lens, but also using what happened in the USA to plug the gaping holes in our own archives,” Olumide says of the film. “This has meant that much of our history has been deemed irrelevant if it doesn’t come up on a quick Google search. I made this film in honour of those who paved the way in the underground, conscious, non-commercial music scene, who are missed but never forgotten.”

Prior to her directorial debut, Olumide’s decade-spanning modelling career saw her grace the runways of major fashion capitals and appear in campaigns for renowned brands such as Mulberry, Alexander McQueen, and Harris Tweed. Meanwhile, Olumide was awarded an MBE as part of the Queen’s Honours for services to broadcasting, charity, and the arts.

Olumide’s Secret Lives is set to debut tomorrow (the 22nd June) at the Windrush Caribbean Film Festival. Tickets are available here.