Ghana
From May 19-June 5, 2022, five Hip Hop artists traveled to Ghana as part of the Next Level program. Artist-educators Fullout, Kala, Suzi Analogue, and Damien Mitchell joined Site Manager Big Piph to perform for audiences and collaborate with local artists to promote cross-cultural creative exchange and conflict transformation.
During the team’s time in Ghana, they traveled to both Tamale and Accra and collaborated with the West African Centre for Counter Extremism, the National Theatre of Ghana, Embassy partners, and local artists. The team led and participated in a variety of workshops in the Next Level Academy held at the Nim Avenue Hotel in Tamale and the National Theatre of Ghana in Accra.
In Tamale, Team Ghana partnered with the Tamaha Dance Troupe to host a cultural exchange jam session. The dance troupe later returned for the Tamale residency’s final performance as a solo act and collaborator during the final cypher.
In Accra, the team visited Jamestown Accra to host an outreach activity at B.A.S.I.C.S International, a global community-based intervention program that promotes literacy, economic empowerment, health, wellness, and social inclusion. There, they worked with over 30 students between the ages of 7 and 13. Dividing the students in two groups, this Next Level team combined visual and vocals as well as beatmaking and dance.
The final performances were both held on-site at the Nim Avenue Hotel and the National Theatre of Ghana. The final concert featured performances from the Next Level artists, student-collaborators, and local partners.
