Bold and independent, trembling in her voice professing the principles of freedom, despising canons and social stereotypes - Nina Hagen has always been distinguished by a decisive character. Stun and surprise, awakening people from full hibernation - these are her favorite activities. In the skill of shocking, she surpassed herself.
Childhood and youth
On March 11, 1955, in the eastern part of Berlin, a daughter was born to Eva Maria Hagen, who later became a legend of German punk culture.
Eva Maria herself was an actress, her husband Wolf Birman was a political songwriter. Parents of little Nina were famous personalities.
Stepfather performed songs permeated with the spirit of freedom and independence. Mom played in the theater, gaining fame among the general public.
The girl was destined to inherit family genes and go on a creative path.
Stepfather was her idol. Absolutely not recognizing any authority, he was a very charismatic and extraordinary person. Nina always listened to his advice and wanted to follow in his footsteps … Well, or in my mother's.
Her mother’s work was also presented to the girl in pink and attracted more and more obvious every year. Hagen was a difficult teenager. She got a strong and independent character, more typical of the stronger sex than girls. She always had her own point of view on everything. And even if she differed from the majority opinion, she still did not stop to defend her.
The first school scandal with her participation occurred when the girl was thirteen years old. Together with a team of like-minded people, she went to a rally, which was subsequently dispersed by local authorities. That was in 1968. And in the summer of that year, when the parents sent the teenager girl to a pioneer camp, she was caught in a very unseemly occupation. Nina took psychotropic pills, great changes in consciousness. By decision of the school, Hagen was expelled from the pioneer ranks.
This incident became a key in the future life of Nina. She absolutely lost interest in the school, considering her a "system that enslaves the minds."
She never reached the graduation ball, leaving the school in the ninth grade. Then she was at a crossroads - a huge world with infinite possibilities carefully stretched out her hands to her. Where to start?
Since childhood, having a liking for the skills of her mother, Nina tried herself as an actress. But to her great disappointment she didn’t. She just did not go through the casting and was terribly upset about this.
First steps in music
Deciding not to rush things, she took a timeout and went to Poland to relax and think about what to do next.
There she met with local street musicians and somehow unexpectedly for herself joined their ranks.
For the public’s needs, they sang bold revolutionary songs, speaking to working youth. We can say that these were the first steps of Hagen as a singer.
Street talents quickly gained their first fans, becoming widely known in narrow circles. Of course, it was just pampering and childishness. But Nina was impressed by such a way of life and the atmosphere surrounding him. Friends, music, freedom, grateful admirers of her talent. What else does a teenager need?
And she really liked to sing. Hagen, driven by the desire to become a real singer, took part in the contest of young talents and, to her surprise, won it. She left with a victory - she was awarded the first place.
This triumph inspired her. She had a clear feeling that she finally knows what she wants. As if the meaning of life and destiny, which had eluded her earlier, returned to her life again.
With the support of her mother, Nina decided to star in two youth films, thereby declaring herself. The general public began to slowly recognize it.
1976 brought Nina an unpleasant surprise. Her beloved stepfather was expelled from the country for his freethinking songs. The girl was shocked. How so? For what? She could not just leave this thing.
Hagen, not accustomed to giving in to difficulties, wrote an appeal to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, announcing her decision to leave the country. She said that she did not want to stay in such a cruel country, where they treated so unfairly the best of her citizens.
The government responded to her complaint, but, of course, did not consider it necessary to fulfill the whims of the young girl. No one was going to beg her to stay. Hagen was given four days to train and was asked to forcibly leave the GDR.
Nina moved to London. In this bone-free city, Hagen met with Johnny Rotten and other heroes of the punk scene. The punk scene took possession of her completely, literally swallowing her headlong. Having gained experience and looked at the concert kitchen from the inside, Hagen decided to create her own group. It was a desperate and bold act. Punk music was persecuted, it was never for the majority, always carrying a protest and bold anti-state ideas.
Upon returning home, Nina organized a group, which, correcting her modesty, was called the Nina Hagen band.
Having recorded the first disc, the guys went on a tour of West Germany. With their creativity, they caused a real public outcry. They shocked as they could, and this did not go unnoticed.
They talked about them, they were discussed, they were admired. Overnight, the guys became famous.
The album thundered to the whole world and brought them unprecedented fame. Critics strongly supported young people in their quest to bring something new to people.
Nina Hagen starred in no dozen films, on her account 19 bright and eccentric albums, imbued with the spirit of love and freedom.
