“I was never meant to be a proper little white girl,” reflects Pauline Black, the vocalist of the ska band the Selecter, who has an incredible personal narrative to share. Her story includes her upbringing as an adopted mixed-race child in a predominantly white family during the 1960s in Romford, situated in east London, and her role as the effortlessly stylish frontwoman of the Selecter. Black is known for her candidness and sharp humor, as illustrated by her amusing anecdote about her open marriage in the liberated 70s: “I did get irritated one time when I returned home to find her using my frying pan.” (She remains happily married to her husband.)

Adopted at birth, Black faced pervasive racism in Romford during her early years. “It hit you like a slap,” she recalls. Even within her family, she remembers an uncle who praised Enoch Powell. At the age of 10, Black experienced sexual abuse at the hands of a neighbor, and her parents’ response was shockingly inadequate. These tumultuous experiences fostered a deep mistrust in her; while feeling isolated and disconnected, she devoted countless hours to playing the piano and reading. In 1979, while employed as a radiographer in Coventry, the Selecter gained traction, prompting her to change her name from Pauline Vickers to Pauline Black. (“I doubt my family ever truly forgave me.”)

Although the Selecter were not the largest act on 2-Tone Records, they were trailblazers, with six out of seven members identifying as people of color and featuring a female lead vocalist. DJ Don Letts recognizes Black as the pioneering lady of 2 Tone, and she continues to embody the 70s rude girl aesthetic with her sharp suits and pork pie hats. After a three-year stint with the band, she ventured into acting and TV hosting until the Selecter reunited. Black co-wrote this documentary and, while she may exert considerable influence over its direction, it’s understandable given her rich personal history that she wishes to narrate her own tale.

Pauline Black: A 2-Tone Story airs on Sky Arts and Now on April 16.