This time we’ve changed things up a bit. The Maytriarchy is proud to have photographer, Samantha Pierre, contribute this amazing profile of Hangaelle. Take a look at the intimate portraits and read all about Hangaelle’s journey.

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Hangaelle works in advertising during the day and DJs at night. She grew up in Mozambique and moved to Canada in 2009 for university – and has been here since.

Where were you born and raised?

I was born in Laval, Quebec – I’m a suburban island gyal by birth! We moved when I was 3 to South Africa, where we lived for 2 years, and then to Mozambique where I have lived all my life until coming to Toronto in 2009 for University. My father is from Montreal and my mother is from Mozambique.

What does Canada mean to you? Do you have a sense of home?

I grew up in Mozambique, where my mom was raised. Mozambique will always be home. Both my parents live there. I had visited Canada a few times growing up, which is where my father is from and where his side of the family lives. When we visited, Canada never felt like home but being with my father’s family did. When I moved here for university, I didn’t really feel like I was home even though I am half Canadian and had been here before. It was more so the feeling of being somewhere that’s familiar rather than it feeling like it was home. Today, having lived here a few years, I still consider Mozambique home and miss it all the time. However, Toronto is definitely my home away from home.

When did you start dating? Have you dated outside your race/culture? What did your family think about?

Officially at 16 but is high school dating even valid? Questionable lol. Let’s say 19. I dated someone outside my race and culture for the first time. My family isn’t privy to my dating life so they don’t/didn’t have any thoughts. However, they have never imposed any preferences on me, when it comes to the “ideal partner”, so I don’t think they would have any issues with who I chose to date regardless of race/culture.

What were your parents’ expectations of you? Do parents say “I love you” or “I am proud of you often?

After I graduated from university, I know at least my mother expected me to be a (insert socially acceptable profession as per African parents). I don’t think I have met their expectations yet, at least I don’t feel like I have but that’s maybe also because I haven’t met my own expectations. It’s also not something that’s been discussed so I don’t actually have any idea what they expected and how my reality compares to their expectations today. I hope either way they are happy with what I’ve accomplished thus far. My parents don’t really say “I love you” or “I am proud of you” that often.

When did you feel independent? Financially? Emotionally? Geographically? Was it important to you?

Really young, like maybe 8 years old or so. My parents trusted me to be responsible, and I had my own keys. Plus, being an only child definitely taught me to be independent. Financially, I felt independent when I was around 21. That’s when I started paying my rent, bills, expenses etc. It was a choice made on my part. Emotionally – I don’t know that I have ever been emotionally dependent on anyone. Geographically, from the age of 12 when I went to boarding school. Since then, I haven’t really lived at home cause I moved to Toronto after high school.

Talk about your experience as a DJ.

DJing has been a wild ride thus far. Every opportunity I get, I see as a blessing – no matter how big or small. When I started learning how to DJ, I didn’t have any intentions of being a DJ beyond my bedroom. I learnt because I love music and I was always intrigued by DJing and admired the skill and curation that goes into it. I then decided to throw myself in the fire, just to see what would happen, and started looking for gigs.

To date, I’ve had the opportunity to open for the legend that is Erykah Badu. I played at Bambii’s events - she is the DJ I idolize the most because she is just so bad ass and talented af; if I had any goals getting into DJing, having her think I was good enough to play at her party was my only real one. I also had the opportunity to DJ in Miami, The Bahamas and Seattle - places I never dreamed DJing would bring me to.

What audacity means to you?

What does Audacity mean to me? Audacity to me reflects a type of boldness someone embodies. A boldness that makes them take risks, do what they want without caring what someone may think or say. I aim to be more audacious in life – I am often caught up in my head and kind of hesitant to be my audacious authentic self. I definitely think DJing has helped me with that and in breaking out of my shell.

All photos by Samantha Pierre

Find Hangaelle on the internet at: @hangaelle