Global 2021
From December 6 to December 17, 2021, twelve Hip Hop artists met virtually as part of the Next Level program.
Dancer Jonathan Fernández Romero (Peru), aerosol artist Asker (Peru), MC Khulan Bayasgalan (Mongolia), dancer Zew (Mongolia), dancer Karina Shtogrina (Russia), dancer Ivan Makurin (Russia), beatboxer Abood (Jordan), dancer Amer (Jordan), beatmaker Dave on the Track (Ethiopia), MC Nati Tina (Ethiopia), dancer Betzy Bueno Ticona (Bolivia), and dancer Liz Fuentes (Bolivia) joined Next Level Director Junious Brickhouse to learn more about Hip Hop through workshops to promote cross-cultural creative exchange and conflict transformation.
With the program through lines of cultural sustainability, conflict transformation, community building, and entrepreneurship, Next Level Global was a two-week residency consisting of programming around arts education, professional development workshops, cultural programming and collaborations.
During the second week, each Global Artist was partnered with an alumni from a Next Level residencies for mentorship. The Next Level Alumni mentors included beatboxer Kaila Mullady, beatmaker Phillipdrummond, dancer A-A-Ron, dancer Melanie Aguirre, B-Boy Kareem, dancer Brian Pistols, B-Boy El Niño, aerosol artist Phes , MC Boog Brown, and MC Jazzmyn Red.
These alumni mentors helped Global Artists apply for Next Level Global Support Grants, which are competitively awarded to participants in the Next Level Global Residency to support ongoing work to promote conflict resolution, youth leadership skills and professional development through collaborative Hip Hop projects.
The team is part of a Next Level international contingent of MCs, DJs, beatmakers, aerosol artists, and Hip Hop dancers recruited from Next Level countries.
Jonathan Fernández Romero
Peru
Jonathan is a cultural manager and leader of the urban cultural group BETESDA CREW in Peru. Jonathan has worked with "Icpna Cultural Center", several municipalities, as well as the Embassy of the United States in Peru. He is currently on the board of the Peruvian Association of Professional Breaking. His group BETESDA CREW is recognized by the Ministry of Culture of Peru, are part of SENAJU, the national youth secretary, as well as the National Dance Council of Peru.
Asker
Peru
Asker is a graffiti artist from Lima, Peru. He started painting 4 years ago and had the opportunity to participate in several graffiti programs. His main purpose is to change the lives of people through graffiti. He considers art to be the best method of change and is proud to have the opportunity to do just that.
Khulan Bayasgalan
Mongolia
Khulan has been rapping since she was 14 years old. It began as a hobby until she started doing audio and text battles on online forums. At 21, At she was signed to a label and worked with them for 4 years as an artist. After having her son, she began to think of ways she could use her gifts to help children learn.
Zew
Mongolia
Zew has been a Hip Hop dancer for 11 years. He is the winner of UB Dance Festival, Hip Hop sessions 1, 2, and 3, Ondo Battle, and Maamuu Naashir. From 2019-2011, Zew was also a dance teacher at 116 Studio.
Karina Shtogrina
Russia
Karina is a Hip Hop dancer, dance teacher, and nutritionist. She began her career with rhythmic gymnastics but found for herself a real channel of self-expression in Hip Hop culture. Thanks to the World of Hip-Hop, she got acquainted with a wide environment of like-minded people from all over the world, participated in theatrical productions and won prizes in both Russian and international festivals. She created the regional hip-hop festival "SEVER SOUL" in 2016 and created a breaking camp called "SOUL POWER" in 2018.
Ivan Makurin
Russia
Ivan represents north-west Russia breaking. Ivan represented his hometown of Arkhangelsk at Russian festivals and also participated in the organization of the regional Hip Hop festival "SEVER SOUL". He both teaches dance and develops his own master classes.
Abood
Jordan
Abood is a professional beatboxer from Jordan. He is the founder of the Jordan Beatbox championship. Abood started beatboxing in 2009, and has performed in schools, malls, clubs, stages and festivals all over Jordan.
Amer
Jordan
Amer was born and raised in Jordan and has been breaking since 2004. Throughout his dance journey, he has taught many students, many of which have become renowned dancers worldwide. Beyond representing his country in various competitions and festivals internationally, he has always been passionate about feeding and infusing the dancers in my scene with the right knowledge and approach towards the dance. He continues to seek knowledge, nourish upcoming dancers, and work on his craft.
Dave on the Track
Ethiopia
Dave On The Track is an Electronic Music producer. He was born and raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He is an accomplished artist and one of the flag bearers of Ethio Moombahton, Ethio favela funk, and Ethio gqom music. Dave on the Track is a leading talent and one of the most emblematic artists of the Elelta team. Trained as a sound engineer, while also being a self-taught musician, his stage reputation has soared thanks to the driving rhythms and dazzling improvisation that characterize his live set.
Nati Tina
Ethiopia
Nati Tina is a songwriter and rapper based in Addis Ababa. His career started after discovering his abilities among his friend group. He went to University in Arba Minch, a state outside of Addis Ababa, and it was there that he found friends to challenge and support his growth as a musician. Since then, he has been able to perform all over Ethiopia at various Hotels and universities. He hopes grow his network and inspire youth to follow their dreams.
Betzy Bueno Ticona
Bolivia
Betzy has been breaking since 2016 and performing since 2019. She offers breaking classes and performs at events across Bolivia. She has performed at Empiezo Por Mi, Jam Som, The Dark Battle, and Intervencion Cultural “Aquisito”. In 2020, she founded the crew Tres60, which is composed of women in Cochabamba.
Liz Fuentes
Bolivia
Liz has dedicated the last 8 years of her life to dance and understands the value that art can bring to her life. After overcoming obstacles during her childhood, Liz discovered the opportunities that dance provides and has been dancing ever since.