Global 2024
From September 24 to October 5th, 2024, ten Hip Hop artists traveled to Washington, D.C. and New York City as part of the Next Level program.
MC White da Poet (Nigeria), Beatmaker Phazehop (Nigeria), MC Light (Costa Rica), MC Kenyari (Costa Rica), Asaph Afrika (Zimbabwe), Beatmaker Leemzy Beatz (Zimbabwe), MC Nineworld (France), Aerosol Artist Miaoutoo (France), Dr. Chao (Taiwan), and DJ Bread (Taiwan), came together to collaborate on Next Level Global’s first album, to delve into the history and roots of Hip Hop, and to promote cross-cultural creative exchange and conflict transformation.
The first week of the program, which was held in Washington, D.C., focused on entrepreneurship and professional development, conflict transformation, community building, and cultural preservation. Daily programming was held at Meridian International Center but also included visits to a Hip Hop Studies class at Howard University as well as to the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, a guided tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and a support grant pitch session at the Department of State.
During the New York City residency, the visiting artists collaborated with Next Level alum Mazzi (Team Portugal), Dirty Digits (Team Thailand), and Danielle Mastrion (Team Dominican Republic and France) to create an album and album cover. These artists were also joined by Hip Hop legend and guest speaker Grand Wizzard Theodore, Chief Marketing Officer at BeatStars Dev Tejwani, and Universal Music Group Record Executive Steve Carless. The two weeks culminated with the Next Level Mixer and cypher at Invite Only Studios and featured impromptu performances by visiting Global artists, Next Level alumni, as well as members of Legendary Cyphers.
The team is part of a Next Level international contingent of MCs, DJs, beatmakers, and aerosol artists recruited from Next Level countries.
