Nigeria - Lagos
Next Level’s Nigeria Residency took place in September 2023. Four selected artists, Reds (Aerosol Artist), Melbeatss (Beatmaker), Brinae Ali (Dancer), and JSWISS (MC), joined site managers Rizqi Rachmat and Junious Brickhouse, to travel to Lagos for a two-week long program. The program was supported by local partner, Ogidi Studios, as well as the U.S. Consulate in Lagos
Next Level, a cultural diplomacy program that uses Hip Hop to create connections, is an initiative of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Meridian International Center. The program promotes conflict transformation, entrepreneurship, and artistic and professional development among younger and underserved audiences around the world.
The Next Level Academy was held primarily at Ogidi Studios. During the two-week program, the residency’s workshops taught beat-making, dancing, aerosol-painting, and emceeing techniques.
During the first part of the program, the team primarily focused on conducting workshops and connecting with local partners. The residency engaged with the local community through radio and television appearances, on TV Station Channels TV and radio station BeatFM, while also connecting in person at the American Guest House. The Next Level residency additionally was able to collaborate with local artists through visits to Hip Hop clubs, open-mics, and cultural centers. The second week continued the workshops, while also hosting an entrepreneurship day and rehearsals for the final performance. The program’s final performance, which took place at Freedom Park, was attended by the general public.
The Next Level program was able to connect with 47 students in the workshops who each came from unique backgrounds. The participants each brought their own local languages all the while representing their rich cultures throughout the program, creating a diverse incubator for expression. Within the mix of cultures, Yoruba, Igbo, Igala, and many more ethnic identities were present. Thus, the Next Level Nigeria residency was able to connect with a wide range people to facilitate both international and nationally focused collaborations.
