“Mexodus” Musical: A Journey Through History and Hip-Hop

A groundbreaking new musical, “Mexodus,” created by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, is captivating audiences with its innovative blend of history, hip-hop, and live looping. The production, directed by David Mendizábal, sheds light on a little-known chapter of American history: the stories of enslaved people who sought freedom in Mexico rather than traveling north.

Unearthing a Hidden History

Inspired by the work of scholar Maria Esther Hammack, who researched the Black diaspora in Mexico at the University of Texas at Austin, “Mexodus” dramatizes the journeys of those who escaped to Mexico after it abolished slavery in 1829 and refused to enforce a cross-border Fugitive Slave Act. Estimates suggest that between 5,000 and 10,000 formerly enslaved people found freedom in Mexico between 1829 and 1865.

The Creative Process and Live Looping

The musical’s development began in 2021, progressing through workshops and regional theatre productions, including a run at Baltimore Center Stage and Mosaic Theater Company in 2024. David Mendizábal, the director, emphasized the importance of focusing on the “beats” of the story – the narrative building blocks – throughout the writing process.

A key element of “Mexodus” is its use of live looping, a technique where musicians record short snippets of sound and play them back in layers to create a full musical arrangement in real-time. Sound designer Mikhail Fiksel and set designer Riw Rakkulchon collaborated to create a stage setup that allows Quijada and Robinson to trigger loops from various points in the performance space, using software like Ableton Live. This innovative approach, as described by Mendizábal, aims to “untether” the performers from their technology and create more dynamic performances.

Story and Performance

The musical tells the fictionalized story of Henry, an enslaved Texan (played by Nygel D. Robinson), who escapes to Mexico in 1851 and finds refuge on a farm owned by Carlos (played by Brian Quijada). The narrative explores the complex relationship between the two men, as Carlos grapples with the loss of territory to the U.S. The score blends hip-hop, jazz, showtunes, and rancheras, featuring instruments like guitar, piano, and beatbox percussion.

Recent Developments and Future Plans

In March 2026, “Mexodus” was showcased at SXSW by Audible, marking the festival’s first-ever musical showcase. The show recently concluded an extended Off-Broadway run at the Daryl Roth Theatre and will be released as an Audible Original on April 16, 2026, recorded in Dolby Atmos. A national tour is also planned.