freestyle

It’s a stormy night in Miami on Saturday (Oct. 12), but the atmosphere inside Factory Town was sweltering  as the Red Bull Batalla USA National Final 2024 touched down. This celebrated annual event has grown to be a cultural phenomenon, bringing together 16 of the illest, most clever improvisational wordsmiths in the country — all hailing from different Latin American backgrounds — to compete for the best lyrical face-off.
Now in its final round to determine this year’s national winner, it was up to Freites, originally from Venezuela, and Venezuelan-Dominican rapper AdonysX to take the trophy. With the crowd growing thicker, and the atmosphere turning electric, each lyricist ratcheted up the intensity, spitting bars that echoed through the charged air. The spectators, gripped by each piercing line and sharp retort, were witnesses to an epic cultural clash that transcended just words.

Ultimately, AdonysX claimed the title of the best Spanish-language freestyler in the nation. The stage also featured prominent competitors including last year’s National Final runner-up, Zazowan, Miami’s Colombian sensation Nico B, seasoned Mexican rapper Jordi, New York City’s regional champion AdonYS (distinct from the national winner AdonysX), and more

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“The atmosphere of a battle can vary; it might be charged with energy or more [subdued], but either way, it remains intense,” says AdonysX, speaking a few weeks after winning the regional event in his native New York. “At every moment, the energy can [fluctuate], but overall, the environment demands a lot from you.”

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The evening was also highlighted by a performance from Akapellah, one of the best Spanish-language rappers of all time, who additionally took a seat at the judges’ table for the event alongside Reverse, Dilema, and Snow QLQ.

“The pioneer that started it all was Red Bull Batalla. It has been a launching pad for many, including myself,” Akapellah tells Billboard Español, who assumed the role of judge this year for the USA National Final. “I believe that 80% of the biggest artists in Latin hip-hop and Spanish-speaking music, we all come from battling, we all grew up watching Red Bull Batallas. It was our influence, it was our bridge to jump into the world of the music industry.”

Originally known as Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos, the stateside competition was established in 2019, though the entire franchise was created in 2005, following the success of the Eminem-starring blockbuster, 8 Mile. It’s now approaching its 17th installment, which will take place in Madrid, Spain on November 30. Every year, the international competition takes place in a different Spanish-speaking country.

“We all grew up watching those battles. For me, it’s incredible that today I am a judge after when I was a kid, the first time I tried to do it compete I was underage. I didn’t have a passport and they let me participate in the regional competition in my city at that time, but just for fun,” says the Venezuelan rap titan, who mentions he won but wasn’t able to advance to the next level due to visa constraints.

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Over the past three years, the Red Bull Batalla U.S. championship trophy has been claimed by residents of the state with notable wins from Oner and last year’s champion Reverse, who, after his victory, became a U.S. double champion — like Puerto Rican MC, Yartzi, who won in 2019 and 2020.

“The first time there was a Red Bull Batalla in the USA, it was something historic. It was the last location to be added to the battle circuit. And the inclusion of the United States, giving the opportunity to all immigrants and all Latinos in the United States, was really significant,” Yartzi tells Billboard Español. “Every year more talents, more personalities, and more MCs are added. Each year the competition becomes more intense in terms of retaining that title.”

Outside of the freestyle scene, Yartzi today leverages his highly touted lyrical skills to compose for some of the biggest names in Latin music. He’s collaborated with producers such as Jorge Miliano, DJ Blass and Major Lazer as well as reggaetón superstars like Anuel AA, Wisin y Yandel, Nicky Jam, Ozuna, Lunay, Tainy and more.

As all national finalists from the Americas and Spain turn their focus to the global stage, Akapellah also offers a reminder: “Freestyle has developed its own siginficant identity and somewhat diverged from traditional hip-hop, which is a delicate topic. There are incredibly talented artists who would benefit immensely from a broader vocabulary to enrich their rhymes,” he offers, citing the ingestion of more literature.

Echoing the broader benefits of participating in Red Bull Batalla, AdonYS emphasizing its role beyond merely providing a stage. “It gives you a lot of connections, countless opportunities and doors that can open to a wider world of music and the industry,” he says. “The idea is to continue helping the guys that are coming up in any way we can. The idea is that we all come up together so freestyle continues to grow.”

“As the saying goes, and not to sound cliché, but it truly gives you wings because it exposes your talent to the world in a way you might not achieve on your own,” says Yartzi, reflecting on the transformative power of the platform. “As an independent artist, it helps to propel you and captures the global spotlight. Participating as a rapper from Puerto Rico also drew attention from reggaeton artists, my compatriots, leading to many relationships formed through this achievement.”