Sooner than later, the paradigm shift in the ‘music video industry’ in relation to the ‘Hip-hip music video model industry’ will be felt all over the world. Through the #hiphopmodelbusiness movement, models are coming together to discuss the prerequisites of their industry, empower potential models that will come through the ranks and also publicly take control of the industry narratives.

Words by Sesan Adeniji

This op-ed for Mystreetz Magazine from Oluwapelumi Akinyemi – one of the new generation video models popularly known as Lumie is a reflection of the new perception. As the 13th child of the family and last child of her mother, she grew interest for showbiz in line with her mum’s hustle at the time – who was a hair stylist and an ex dance performer to the famous Fela Kuti.

The 25 year old started out modeling as a hobby as she would stay glued to music television most days to watch and mimic the beautiful, fashionable, funny and happy hip-hop music video and commercial models she fell in love with. In 2015, after her graduation from Covenant University, she took up modeling professionally and does her hair job on the side.

She got her first video gig in 2016 but to her surprise, the career she envisioned and dreamt of was totally different from how it was perceived by others. In a quest for clarity, she’s standing up and speaking strongly in favour of all the sexy and sensual young women brimming with confidence despite surviving in an industry that underpays and under-value their crafts; she wrote this op-ed hoping for change in the coming months.

‘The experiences I’ve had between 2015 and now on set was far off what I
grew up gathering; There used to be so much to this craft, most times I
don’t even notice half of what the artist performs throughout the video, I
just paid attention to those amazing women, how they each had and owned
their styles. You could easily tell who was who sometimes, either from hind
views or shadow effects. It was original and had so much professionalism
attached to it.

I basically just wanted to make money off something I liked and enjoyed
doing, get me a good life, sort bills, invest in my hair art and explore
other channels of the industry, but as it is, the industry for Hip-hop music video models needs to do more  to become a mega brand. Models will need build their brands and also branch out to other sectors of the same industry. I just want a better industry for us. It’s time to own the hip-hop model business and make it better” – Lumie

Social –

Instagram – @lumiegram

Facebook – @Pelumi Ella Akinyemi