Hannah Olarewaju

This interview with Hannah Olarewaju explores her journey into the music industry, her role in developing live music culture in Milton Keynes, and her wider work in community building and inclusion. Born in London in 1994 and raised in Peckham within a close-knit Nigerian community, she moved to Milton Keynes as a young teenager, finding the contrast striking due to the town’s quieter, less diverse environment at the time.

Her passion for music began early as a fan of music videos and performance, but she initially did not realise there were careers beyond being an artist. After university, she worked in IT but quickly became dissatisfied and began interviewing emerging musicians, posting content on her own blog. This led to opportunities writing for magazines and attending events and festivals. She later secured a role in e-commerce at Universal Music’s distribution office in Milton Keynes, which gave her insight into the business side of the industry and how music functions as a commercial product.

Her most significant contribution to the local scene came through founding The Music Room (TMR) in 2018. Frustrated by the lack of local R&B, hip-hop and Afrobeats events, she decided to create a platform herself. The first event was small, with only a handful of attendees, but she remained committed. Over time, TMR grew into a respected creative space hosted at MK Gallery, supporting emerging artists and offering performance opportunities across multiple genres.

The project evolved from an open mic into a curated live music platform with rehearsals, workshops and themed shows. It became a hub for musicians, particularly rappers and singers, to develop confidence, collaborate and connect with audiences. Hannah emphasised the importance of community-building, consistency and providing safe spaces for creatives and audiences alike.

Despite its success, organising TMR largely alone led to burnout, and the project concluded in 2023 after several years of growth, including a final festival-style event. Its legacy continues through artists who performed there and went on to create their own events and collectives.

Alongside her work in music, Hannah now works as a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant, delivering training and advocating for representation and fairness. She believes Milton Keynes has developed a stronger creative identity over time but still lacks accessible venues and infrastructure for emerging artists. She sees hip-hop culture, with its focus on storytelling and lived experience, as a powerful force for connection, empathy and community.