Nina Hagen: “When I’m in heaven, I’ll start a super group with my gospel sisters”
Nina Hagen has led a five-decade career as a punk, pop, and reggae diva, with a love for Rick James and Nana Mouskouri. Her music ventures have never been conventional. As she releases a gospel album, let’s look back at the records that shaped her life.
By Odile de Plas – Published on March 29, 2026, at 15:00
Nina Hagen – Punk Queen Turned Gospel Siren
Nina Hagen, often dubbed the “mother of punk,” disputes the claim. She arrived in London during the punk explosion at 22, joining in as an observer. Her mother, Eva-Marie Hagen, a renowned East German actress, often brought Nina on stage for musicals, planting the seeds of her musician path.
Throughout her career, Nina embraced transformation and genre fusions, channeling her rebellious spirit. Despite her punk persona, Nina’s LSD-induced near-death encounter at 17 led her to find solace in Christianity, a belief she now professes through her gospel album, “Highway to Heaven.”
From her early days in the Berlin underground scene to her international acclaim, Nina Hagen has stayed true to herself, charting her unique course in the music industry.
Read more about Nina Hagen’s musical journey and influences: – Nina’s first East German record store purchase: The Beatles and Phoebe Snow – Childhood soundtrack courtesy of her mother: Mahalia Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nana Mouskouri – Bertolt Brecht’s theater influence on her artistic development – Departure from East Germany: Iggy Pop’s “The Passenger” and early days in West Berlin clubs – Nina’s spiritual journey and gospel inspirations – Nina’s tribute to her musical influences and plans for a heavenly choir reunion
Nina Hagen’s latest release, “Highway to Heaven,” is a testament to her enduring musical legacy.
Join Nina Hagen in her eclectic musical journey, where punk meets reggae, artistry marries activism, and rebellion dances with faith.
