Javine Hylton Praises Mum for Embracing Black Culture and Learning West Indian Cooking

When it comes to raising children in a mixed race family in the UK, love often means stepping outside your comfort zone to understand and embrace another culture. For British singer Javine Hylton, best known for her music career, her appearance in All Stars, and her public relationship with MC Harvey, this was exactly what her mother did.

In a recent Javine Hylton interview, she praised her mum for immersing herself in UK Black culture — learning to cook Caribbean food, figuring out how to care for mixed race hair, and even mastering how to cane row.

This story is about more than celebrity nostalgia. It’s about diversity in UK families, the everyday acts of cultural integration, and the kind of parenting that leaves a lifelong impact.

Javine Hylton: A Brief Background

Before diving into her family story, it’s worth remembering who Javine Hylton is. She rose to fame in the early 2000s after appearing on Popstars: The Rivals, narrowly missing a spot in Girls Aloud but launching a successful solo career instead. Her hit singles and appearances on television and in films like All Stars cemented her status as a household name in British pop culture.

Her personal life also attracted media attention — notably her relationship with MC Harvey, a member of the So Solid Crew. Yet away from the tabloids, Javine’s upbringing offers a much more inspiring narrative.

Growing Up in a Mixed Race Family in the UK

Javine grew up in a household that blended cultures. Her mother is white British, and her father is of West Indian heritage. Like many mixed race families in the UK, this came with both opportunities and challenges.

While society today is more open to multicultural families, the 1980s and 1990s still saw moments of prejudice and misunderstanding. Navigating identity wasn’t always easy, especially for children who were constantly asked, “Where are you from?” even when they were born and raised in Britain.

For Javine, her mum’s approach to parenting made all the difference.

A Mother Who Went All In: Embracing Black Culture

Rather than shying away from the cultural differences in the household, Javine’s mum leaned in — wholeheartedly. She didn’t just tolerate her daughter’s heritage; she embraced Black culture and made it part of everyday life.

This wasn’t a surface-level effort. Her mum:

• Learned to cook authentic West Indian dishes.
• Studied how to maintain and style mixed race hair.
• Encouraged Javine to connect with her Caribbean heritage through music, stories, and traditions.
• Made sure the family home was a space where diversity was celebrated, not sidelined.

Learning West Indian Cooking

One of the most tangible ways Javine’s mum connected with her daughter’s heritage was through food. Caribbean food in the UK has long been a source of comfort and identity for the West Indian community, and her mum decided to master it.

She learned recipes like:

• Jerk chicken – perfectly seasoned and smoky.
• Rice and peas – a Sunday dinner staple.
• Curry goat – slow-cooked and full of flavour.
• Ackee and saltfish – Jamaica’s national dish.

This wasn’t just about cooking; it was about creating a sensory link to culture. The smell of curry powder and thyme filling the house wasn’t just delicious — it told Javine, “Your heritage matters here.”

Mastering Mixed Race Hair Care

Anyone raising children with textured hair knows that mixed race hair care requires knowledge, patience, and the right products. Javine’s mum took the time to understand her daughter’s hair type, investing in moisturising creams, detangling sprays, and protective styles.

One of the most personal things she learned was how to cane row hair (known in some places as cornrows). For a white mum in the UK in the 1990s, this wasn’t common knowledge. It meant practising, making mistakes, and trying again — all to ensure her daughter’s hair was well cared for and that she felt confident in her appearance.

The Impact on Javine’s Identity

These actions had a profound effect on Javine. Growing up, she felt supported in both sides of her heritage, never having to choose between being “Black” or “British.” Her mother’s dedication showed her that identity is richer when all parts are valued.

In interviews, Javine has said that her mum’s commitment not only made her proud of her roots but also gave her the confidence to navigate an industry where image and identity are constantly under scrutiny.

Lessons for Other Mixed Race Families in the UK

While not every parent has the time or skill to perfect Caribbean food or style intricate braids, there are important lessons in how Javine’s mum approached parenting:

1. Educate Yourself on Culture

Read, watch, and listen to the music, literature, and history connected to your child’s heritage.

2. Learn Practical Skills

Hair care, traditional recipes, or even dance styles — these are tangible ways to connect.

3. Build Diverse Friendships

Having friends from the same cultural background as your child can provide extra support and perspective.

4. Make It Normal

Don’t treat cultural traditions as “special occasions” only — integrate them into daily life.

MC Harvey and Co-Parenting Dynamics

While Javine’s relationship with MC Harvey eventually ended, they share a child, and parenting in a mixed heritage family continues to be part of her life. The lessons she learned from her mum — about embracing culture rather than avoiding it — now influence how she raises her own daughter.

It’s a powerful example of how values can be passed down through generations, ensuring cultural traditions don’t fade.

The Broader Picture: Diversity and Integration in UK Families

Stories like Javine’s highlight an encouraging shift in British society. Diversity in UK families is more visible than ever, and integration isn’t just happening in public spaces — it’s happening in kitchens, living rooms, and school playgrounds.

But integration works best when it’s active, intentional, and full of curiosity. Simply “accepting” differences isn’t enough; embracing them is what builds truly inclusive homes.

All Stars, Fame, and Staying Grounded

Even as she moved into the public eye — from her singing career to appearing in the All Stars film cast — Javine’s upbringing kept her grounded. Fame often brings its own challenges with identity, but she never forgot the cultural lessons learned at home.

Her success serves as a reminder that when children grow up proud of their roots, they carry that confidence into every area of life.

Conclusion

The story of Javine Hylton and her mum isn’t just a sweet celebrity anecdote — it’s a blueprint for how to raise children in mixed race families in the UK with love, respect, and cultural pride.

From embracing Black culture to learning West Indian cooking, and from mastering mixed race hair care to passing down values about diversity, her mum’s actions are a reminder that cultural integration starts at home.

In a country where cultures continue to blend, the lesson is clear: the more we embrace each other’s traditions, the richer our shared story becomes.