Episode 6 – Hagen Engler

THIS 10-PART SERIES IS MADE POSSIBLE WITH FUNDING SUPPORT FROM MUSIC IN AFRICA FOUNDATION, THE GERMAN FEDERAL FOREIGN OFFICE, SIEMENS STIFTUNG AND GOETHE-INSTITUT.

Hagen Engler is a word artist, a singer, a guitarist, a spoken word performer, a writer, the author of a book called The Trustees, frontman for a band called The Feel So Strongs. He’s also known as Inspector Ras. And he’s a dad.

In this episode we talk about co-parenting (and finding practical ways to make it work), leaving a lasting legacy, stressful experiences as fuel for creative material (and relaxing as a form of self-love!), understanding your own work through fresh eyes, the importance of prolonging a musicians career and the rich, nuanced art that comes with age.

Bonus Content

Listen to the growing Spotify playlist of the artists featured in this special series of interviews.

About Music In Africa Live

Thousands of African musicians have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic which has introduced unprecedented lockdowns and restrictions across the continent. African musicians and professionals traditionally make a living from live performances, and now they find themselves in extreme difficulty. The main goals of Music In Africa Live is to support the African Music industry by enabling musicians earning opportunities from digital live performances at a time when many of them have lost their usual income due to the pandemic; to develop critical skills among professionals to enable them to navigate challenges occasioned by the pandemic and lastly to support Music advocacy activities on the continent. The project is supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institut.

About the Music In Africa Foundation

The MIAF is a pan-African, non-profit organisation based in Rosebank, Johannesburg, with satellite offices in East, West and Central Africa. The MIAF’s mission is to support the African music sector through promoting knowledge exchange and creating opportunities and capacity for music professionals. The foundation does this in two ways: digitally via the Music In Africa website and offline through training programmes, artist mobility programmes, workshops, concerts, lobbying, conferences and other related initiatives.