Next Level 11.0 Cultural Exchange in Mexico

Randy Mason Returns from Next Level 11.0 Cultural Exchange in Mexico

We’re proud to celebrate Randy Mason, RHYME (Rhymes Help Youth Minds Excel) Director at Thrive Collective, who recently returned from Next Level 11.0 after serving as a teaching artist in La Laguna.

The program, organized by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, brings hip-hop artists from across the United States to communities around the world to collaborate, teach, and build cultural connections through music and art. During the residency, Mason led MC and rap workshops for local artists and young creatives, focusing on lyric writing, rhythm, storytelling, and performance.

Throughout his time in Mexico, Mason worked alongside participants to create music, share artistic techniques, and explore how hip-hop can serve as a tool for expression, leadership, and community building. The exchange fostered collaboration between artists from different backgrounds while highlighting the global language of hip-hop culture.

At Thrive Collective, Mason has long championed youth voice and creativity through the RHYME program, helping young people develop confidence and leadership through music and spoken word. His participation in Next Level 11.0 extended that mission internationally—building bridges between artists and communities through shared rhythms and stories.

Now back home, Mason returns with new relationships, fresh inspiration, and stories from a powerful cultural exchange that connected classrooms, studios, and communities across borders.