2023 Red Bull Batalla

The country’s most dynamic freestylers will descend onto the Lone Star state for a chance to be crowned 2023 Red Bull Batalla National Champion, including former champion Reverse and regional winners AdonysX and Magimbri

Tickets on sale now: www.redbullbatalla.eventbrite.com

Red Bull Batalla, the world’s largest Spanish-language freestyle competition, announced details for the 2023 USA National Final taking place on Saturday, November 11th in Dallas, TX. Gilley’s South Side Ballroom will host the highly anticipated event, welcoming 16 of the nation’s top MCs to put their wit, creativity, and stage presence to the test over a series of intense, bracket-style knockout rounds – all for a chance to compete at the World Final in Colombia this December. Tickets for the Red Bull Batalla USA National Final are on sale now.

The National Final will determine who will be crowned the best Spanish speaking freestyler in the nation. The winner will join 2022 title holder Oner on the World Final stage – marking the first time in Red Bull Batalla history that two national champions will represent the USA in the final round of the competition.

In response to the ever growing freestyle style scene in the U.S. Red Bull Batalla conducted a historic season. Following a global application phase that saw over 8,000 hopefuls enter for a chance to be a part of the competition, over 10 events were hosted on American soil to ensure no stone was left unturned on the mission to find the best freestylers in the country. This included a record number of three qualifier events – hosted in Los Angeles, Houston and Miami – a testament to how much the Spanish freestyle scene has grown in the US since the country had its inaugural year in Red Bull Batalla in 2019.

With the stage now set for the biggest American freestyle faceoff, the stacked roster of competing MCs includes heavy hitters like 2021 USA National Champion from Cuba Reverse, Colombian fire-spitter Nico B, Mexican juggernaut and USA freestyle staple MC Betho, Honduran newcomer Lies, and Venezuelan phenom and Miami’s own AdonysX. Please find a full list of competitors competing in Dallas below.

With 15 of the 16 competitors locked, Red Bull Batalla in collaboration with local league Urban Rap Stars will host one final competition to determine the last MC to complete the bracket. El Último Puesto: Clasificatoria National will take place at Centre For Dance (2080 N Collins Blvd, Richardson, TX 75080) on October 28, giving MCs from this season’s regional events one last shot at the National crown. Sign ups to compete will open on October 5. Follow @RedBullBatalla for details on how to participate.

RED BULL BATALLA USA NATIONAL FINAL | Event Information

Please see below for details on ticketing, competitors, judges and participating talent:

WHEN: Saturday, November 11 | Doors open at 5:30 PM | Event starts at 7:00 PM

WHERE: South Side Ballroom (Gilley’s Dallas) | 1135 Botham Jean Blvd Dallas, TX 75215

TICKETS: https://redbullbatalla.eventbrite.com

JUDGES:
• Chester – Spanish freestyle legend and longtime California scene icon
• Moises – Freestyle connoisseur and Dioses de la City freestyle league organizer based in New York City
• Skiper – Red Bull Batalla Mexico National Final 2021 Champion and freestyle OG
• Akapellah – Venezuelan freestyle royalty and 4x Latin Grammy nominated artist
• Barba – San Antonio and Texas Native, Barba is a mainstay in the Texas freestyle scene.

HOST:
• Racso White Lion – Official host of the 2023 Red Bull Batalla USA season and creator of the Indigo Freestyle League based in Orlando, Florida

EVENT DJ:
• DJ Lobo – Texas very own and Urban Rapstars Resident DJ, he earned his shot at the decks for the National Final after a jaw dropping performance during the Houston Qualifier this season.

COMPETITORS:
• Nico B (Miami, FL)
• Representing the Miami freestyle scene and Hailing from Colombia, Nico B has been competing in Red Bull Batalla since 2020. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts he finally succeeded to reach the finals in 2022 where he was defeated by Oner. By placing 2nd at the 2022 National Final he automatically qualified for the 2023 national final.
• Cuban (McAllen, TX)
• Cuban discovered freestyle rap battles through Red Bull Batalla when he moved from Cuba to Miami. After joining local tournaments, he eventually created RGV Battles in Texas. Cuban qualified by placing 3rd at the 2022 National Final.
• MC Betho (Irving, TX)
• From Tijuana, Mexico to his current home in Texas, MC Betho is an international champion having competed across the U.S., and Central and South America. MC Betho qualified by placing 4th at the 2022 U.S. National Final.
• Reverse (West Palm Beach, FL)
• After discovering his talent of freestyling by accident, Reverse is back for the 2023 season with the mindset of reclaiming the throne as US National Champion, which he won in 2021. With roots in Cuba, Reverse qualified for this year’s competition via his hometown cup in Miami and won the top spot at the Los Angeles Qualifier.
• Maluque (Oxnard, CA)
• Venezuelan MC Maluque is a newcomer to the Red Bull Batalla scene and currently living in Oxnard, California. This is his first time competing in the National Final after making it through his first regional qualifier in Los Angeles.
• Boss (Los Angeles, CA)
• Born and raised in LA and of Mexican descent, Boss is eager to bring his west coast flow to Red Bull Batalla. He’s had two National Final appearances, in 2020 and 2021. This year, Boss qualified through the Los Angeles Qualifier.
• OG Frases (Miami, FL)
• An esteemed veteran of the freestyle scene since 2006, OG Frases is a five-time Miami freestyle champion with roots in Venezuela. He has had three Red Bull Batalla National Final appearances, taking home 2nd place in 2019. This year, OG Frases qualified through the Los Angeles Qualifier.
• Magimbri (San Antonio, TX)
• Magimbri has competed twice in the regional qualifiers, including taking first place at the Houston Qualifier this year. This is Magimbri’s first appearance on the National Final stage. The Mexican MC represents his current hometown of San Antonio, TX.
• Lies (Houston, TX)
• Honduran MC Lies is a rising newcomer that has gained popularity and this is his first time competing in Red Bull Batalla. He qualified for the National Final through the Houston Qualifier, where he currently lives.
• ESTANY (Kingwood, TX)
• Based in Kingwood, Texas with roots in Venezuela, ESTANY is a first-time competitor for Red Bull Batalla. After competing stateside in the Houston Qualifier, he is now competing in the National Final.
• White Caracas (Houston, TX)
• Representing Venezuela and residing in Houston, Texas, White Caracas is competing in his second Red Bull Batalla season. He qualified on his home turf at the Houston Qualifier and this is his first National Final appearance.
• AdonysX (Miami, FL)
• Venezuelan AdonysX has competed in one previous Red Bull Batalla regional qualifier in 2022. This year, he returned to the stage and took home the trophy at the regional qualifier in his current hometown of Miami.
• JD (Miami, FL)
• JD was a first-time qualifier for the regional rounds. He is based out of Miami, Florida, of Colombian descent, and will be competing in the National Final.
• FREITES (Orlando, FL)
• FREITES qualified through the Miami Qualifier and returned to the National Final stage for the second time. The Venezuelan MC currently resides in Miami.
• VersoMC (Winter Springs, Florida)
• VersoMC was a first-time competitor, as a last minute alternative in this year’s competition. He succeeded past the regional Miami qualifier and is now competing in the National Final. The Venezuelan MC currently resides in Winter Springs, Florida.

To relive all battle action from this season’s USA Qualifier events on-demand, please visit Red Bull Batalla onTwitch, YouTube and Facebook.

ABOUT RED BULL BATALLA Red Bull Batalla is a global freestyle rap competition that, since 2005, has provided a platform for the best hip hop improvisors in the Spanish-speaking world to connect, develop and compete. Within the last few years, the Red Bull founded project has become the world’s biggest international freestyle battle competition, uniting Spanish speaking Latin America and Spain. The roots of this improvised rap scene are as deeply connected to hip hop as they are to the improvisation styles of traditional folk troubadours. It has evolved into a style completely distinct from that of hip hop in North America. With Batalla, Red Bull gives an opportunity for young MCs to train, perform and improve their improvisation and rapping skills.