Philippines
In March 2023, five artists traveled to the Philippines with the Next Level program. AQ (MC), Sanchel Brown (Dancer), DJ Knockers (DJ), and D-Cross (Beatboxer), joined Big Piph (Site manager) for a two weeklong program in Sipalay and Manila’s Quezon City. The program also collaborated with local partners, including the US Embassy in the Philippines, as well as implementing partnerships supported by AC Lalata & Matt Padilla, as well as Mayor Maria Gina M. Lizares’s Office in Sipalay.
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 residency hosted workshops on MCing, dancing, videography, and DJing techniques as well as jam sessions, performances, and discussions. Additionally, artistic collaborations from local groups such as Quezon City’s Allstars Dance School and Tagaytay’s Moro Beats label allowed for a synergetic relationship between the Next Level team and Filipino creators.
In Sipalay and Quezon City, Team Philippines held talks on arts education, conflict management, and entrepreneurship. The final concerts held in Sipalay and Quezon City both saw notable cultural exchanges occur, with the concert in Sipalay having interactions between Hip-Hop and traditional Sipalay’s Sugar Beach, while the Quezon concert took place in held at Liwasang Aurora Amphitheatre in Quezon Memorial Circle, allowing for exchanges with the wider public.
Between the lively participation of both the Next Level team and the attendees, over 140 people were able to take part in the different events held. The unique opportunities for both the team and the participants helped it to continue to build on Next Level’s special global community.
