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Music’s Dirty Secrets: Women Fight Back

For many women, working in the music industry is a dream come true - but behind the glamour there lies a dark secret. Tamanna Rahman investigates.

For many women, working in the music industry is a dream come true - but behind the glamour there lies a dark secret. From inappropriate messages and unwanted sexual advances to violence and rape, reporter Tamanna Rahman explores why women in music have remained silent for so long.

In an exclusive interview, Hana, former girlfriend of hotly tipped rapper Octavian, reveals why she decided to go public on social media with claims of physical abuse at his hands. Her Instagram post led, in November last year, to the artist and his long-awaited debut album being cancelled by his record label, Black Butter, part of Sony Music. Tamanna explores why Hana felt she had to go public with her allegations.

Questions are also asked about the relationship between Island Records, a subsidiary of Universal, and one of music’s most dangerous men, Solo 45. Today the grime star is in jail for 30 years for raping and torturing women. But before Island handed him a deal, he served six months in prison in Cyprus for domestic violence. Was this taken into consideration before the label invested in his music?

In November 2023 the Met Police and Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Octavian Lanoire would face no further action over Hana’s allegations

44 minutes

Last on

Tue 16 Feb 2021 23:45
BBC One Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland HD only

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:13

    Korn

    Rotting In Vain

  • 00:33

    Octavian

    Build

  • 00:36

    Octavian

    Party Here

  • 00:42

    Solo 45

    Feed Em To The Lions

This episode is not available on BBC iPlayer

Programmes are unavailable for a number of reasons including legal, contractual or technical issues.

Broadcasts

  • Tue 16 Feb 2021 22:45
    BBC One except Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland HD, Scotland & Scotland HD
  • Tue 16 Feb 2021 23:20
    BBC One Scotland & Scotland HD only
  • Tue 16 Feb 2021 23:45
    BBC One Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland HD only

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