State Champ Radio Red Bull
HipHopWired Featured Video
Red Bull Dance Your Style, the all-styles dance competition returns to the dance floor this year via four regional qualifier events that start next month in the United States. This year, the global contest will host the World Final in India later this year.
Dance Your Style will host regional qualifiers in Chicago, Memphis, Boston, and Los Angeles before hosting the National Final in Atlanta. As always, the all-styles competition means just that as all dance styles will get a platform including breaking, house, footwork, popping, turfing, and more. How the dance competition stands out is that instead of planned routines, the competitors do their best to outdo each other while trying to win over the crowd, who stand as the judges in place of a panel before advancing to the next round.
One of the beautiful things about Dance Your Style is the fact dancers from all manner of backgrounds join together and show up for one another despite the competitive nature of the event. As 2022 USA champion David “The Crown” Stalter shares, this is an event for the community and a chance of a lifetime.
“Red Bull Dance Your Style is an essential platform for the dance community. It takes dance battles to the next level, giving dancers of any background a space to show off their unique style and connect with other artists from around the world. It’s a genuine celebration of different cultures,” The Crown shared in a statement. “It also allows the audience to appreciate the improvisational nature of battling and makes them feel like they are part of the experience through crowd voting.”
After the National Final in Atlanta, the winners from each of the various global competitions around the world will face off at the World Final in Mumbai, India in November. We’ll share the full schedule of United States qualifier events, along with ways to find out more about the competition below.
Hip-Hop Wired has attended some past events and we strongly suggest you check out the competition in your respective regions if possible. There is nothing in the world quite like it. To the dancers, we wish you all the best.
Check out the schedule below.
April 20: Red Bull Dance Your Style North (Chicago) Regional Qualifier
April 27: Red Bull Dance Your Style South (Memphis) Regional Qualifier
May 4: Red Bull Dance Your Style East (Boston) Regional Qualifier
May 11: Red Bull Dance Your Style West (Los Angeles) Regional Qualifier
May 16-19: Red Bull Dance Your Style National Final and Weekender USA in Atlanta
November 9: Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final in Mumbai, India
For further information about the event, click here.
—
Photo: Red Bull
HipHopWired Featured Video
Red Bull Batalla, the largest Spanish-language freestyle competition in the world, concluded its 2023 season with Spain’s Chuty taking the world title. Applications are opening up for this year’s competition, and the stakes are even higher with new countries added to the mix.
Red Bull Batalla has opened its application channels from Feb. 19 until March 21, giving prospective battlers an opportunity of a lifetime. With 18 countries participating this year, which include the United States, Mexico, Spain, and regions across Central America, South America will also have its countries represented for the first time.
Participants can upload video submissions via the all-new Batalla app, which is available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The submissions will be observed by veterans of the Spanish-speaking freestyle scene, along with experts from within the industry.
For the battlers that make it through, the MCs will face off in one-on-one freestyle battles via a bracket-style format with the winner advancing to the next level of competition.
Two Qualifier events will take place in the United States this summer before the Red Bull Batalla U.S. National Final, which takes place in Miami, Fla. this October. From there, winners of their respective country’s battles will go on to the Red Bull Batalla International Final, which will take place in Chuty’s hometown of Madrid, Spain.
Last year, talented battlers Oner and Reverse represented the United States in the World Finals in Bogotá, Colombia in 2023, which was the first time that’s ever happened. More of the same should be expected this year as well with the pool of Spanish Freestyle talent expanding year to year.
To learn more about Red Bull Batalla, click here.
—
Photo: Red Bull
HipHopWired Featured Video
Red Bull Spiral takes the concept of the cypher and takes it to a new level by way of a camera angle that literally spins around the talented MCs in a circle. For the latest edition of Red Bull Spiral, rappers Saba, Mick Jenkins, and IDK all take turns delivering lines with all the rhyme schemes you can expect from these titans of the culture.
Red Bull Spiral is a program that’s part of the energy drink’s channel focused on Hip-Hop, Red Bull 1520. Via 1520, Red Bull delivers tailor-made content from the culture and by those steeped deeply within it. The latest episode of Spiral is the 11th one for the program, which also concludes Spiral‘s first season which saw several Hip-Hop heavyweights that we’ve featured previously on our pages.
Saba, who had a strong 2023 on the back of a pair of singles alongside fellow Chicago native No I.D., Windy City vet Mick Jenkins, who dropped the full-length The Patience in 2023, and Prince George’s County, Md. standout IDK all take turns and showcasing the heights of their abilities while standing apart from the next MC.
Previous episodes of Red Bull Spiral featured members of the sprawling Griselda collective, Souls of Mischief, Coast Contra, and more. This coming spring, Spiral will launch its second season and we can’t wait to see what the Red Bull 1520 is cooking up next.
Check out Saba, Mick Jenkins, and IDK in the Spiral cypher below.
Learn more about Red Bull 1520 here.
[embedded content]
—
Photo: Red Bull
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: James Newman/Red Bull / Red Bull
Red Bull Lords of the Floor, the renowned 2 vs. 2 breakdancing competition, will be returning in 2024. On Thursday, December 7, Red Bull announced the event will be going down on April 6 at the WaMu Theater in Seattle, Washington.
Source: Red Bull / Red Bull
Seattle is where the event first took place in 2001, and 2024’s will feature the globe’s best breakers including 2024 Olympic dance athlete B-Boy Victor. The MC for the evening will be comedian Jo Koy, who was once a b-boy (always) himself.
“As a former b-boy, it is a true honor for me to host Red Bull Lords of the Floor, an event that has been so influential to the culture,” said Jo Koy in a statement. “While I look forward to reuniting with some of the crews who competed in the original Red Bull Lords of the Floor, what makes this reprise exciting is the international aspect of it. Red Bull will be flying in some of the best breakers in the world to compete, and we will all get to witness new history in the making.”
Lords Of The Floor is the successor to Red Bull BC One, and the former’s 2v2 format is credited with spawning the rise of breaking competitions, culminating with the art being part of the 2024 Summer Olympics. On tap for Red Bull Lords of the Floor 2024 will be breaking crews from the 90’s and that first 2001 event like Massive Monkees, Skill Methodz, and Style Elements, who will battle international competitors and be judged by a panel of veteran b-boys and b-girls,. All in all 16 teams of b-boys and b-girls will go for the title.
[embedded content]
“The breaking scene has evolved so much in twenty-three years, and the return of Red Bull Lords of the Floor will be proof of that,” said Red Bull BC One All Star and 2021 B-Girl Champion Logan “Logistx” Edra in a statement. “We will get to witness some of the most dynamic, international pairings and watch OGs battle next-gen breakers who might have not even been around for the first event, myself included.”
Tickets are already on sale at www.RedBullLordsOfTheFloor.com and if you can’t make it to Seattle, it will live stream on YouTube and Red Bull TV.
[embedded content]
HipHopWired Featured Video
Red Bull Culture Clash 2023 concluded near the top of the month in Atlanta, Ga., and the quartet of battle contestants consisted of DJ crews known for rocking across the “A” and around the world. Rum Brunch Punch emerged as the eventual champions of the clash, using the tried and true method of the Jamaican sound system clash style to wow the frenzied crowd.
Hip-Hop Wired was on hand to witness Red Bull Culture Clash 2023, which made its return to Atlanta after a five-year hiatus. It was our first time covering the event and we certainly hope it won’t be our last.
The energy inside the Gateway Center Arena in College Park was high as the aforementioned Rum Brunch Punch, Bamba Tuesdays, Perreo404, and Mashup Sessions positioned themselves on their respective stages armed with special guests, surprise dubplates, and orchestrated routines.
Much like the Jamaican sound clashes of old where “sounds” or DJ sound systems would go to audio war with another sound, using the roar of the crowd in attendance to determine a winner, the Red Bull affair adopted this approach. Hosted by Paige Shari and Jessie Woo, the energetic hosts oversaw the clash over the course of four rounds with the crews getting eight minutes each to rep their sound.
Andre “Dreggae” Ruddock and Allan “Boom” Williams masterminded their winning set with the assistance of Tony Matterhorn, Troopa Traloopa, Shane Talon, Willy Chin the Remix King, DJ Jabba, Sir DJ Corey, Nasheen Fire, and DJ Prince Charm displayed a unified front as they took the stage dressed in military-style fatigues and unleashing a barrage of haymakers by rolling out dancehall artists Serani, who was listed on the bill, along with Vanessa Bling, Teejay, Aidonia, Govana, and Mr. Lexx. Another highlight of the Rum Brunch Punch set was the crew featuring violinist Mapy.
Respect should be given to Bamba Tuesdays with DJ Kash alongside Afro B providing a game set of tunes and performance while representing the rising amapiano sound while also keeping things true to Atlanta and its diverse community. During an intense third-round set, Wayne Wonder joined the Bamba Tuesdays stage and delighted the unsuspecting crowd.
Mashup Sessions repped the A’s rich Hip-Hop culture although at one point, the crew played a dubplate response record from Beres Hammond, just to keep the vibes as close to a clash as possible. Young Nudy was the listed performer and rocked his “Peaches and Eggplants” hit while TrillVille hit the stage with their “Neva Eva” smash. DJs Unruely and The Canterbury Talez also brought out buzzing Memphis spitter Gloss Up to drop her “Shabooya” in a surprise moment.
Perreo404 put on for the city’s Latin community and rocked a set that bounced around from Hip-Hop, reggaeton, and several sounds in between. DJ EU, who is Atlanta United’s official DJ, had assistance from DJ Luian Johnny Juelz and singer Nino Augustine. The crew also brought out “Roscoe Dash” to drop his verse from “No Hands.”
As it stands, the crowd went up for all their faves but Rum Brunch Punch proved to win the entire arena over with their sets, even with technical difficulties taking away some of their precious moments. It mattered little as the crew improvised like any good sound system might have to do in such times and emerged victorious.
After the clash, we briefly spoke with Willy Chin and Tony Matterhorn, legends of the dancehall and DJ scenes, along with Troopa. With all the confidence that surely was sparked by their exceptional win, the trio saluted their competition but felt like they had too much power.
“I’ve been around the world spinning records and joining clashes and to bring this style of clash to Atlanta was definitely a vibe we were glad to bring,” Willy Chin shared before rushing off and relishing in the wind.
Troopa added, “The way the crowd embraced us and showed love proved that the Carribean influence is strong here in Atlanta and across the world.”
Tony Matterhorn concluded the energy of the night stating, “We knew that when we came in here we were going to win. This was not an accident, we played the part and we got the win.”
Learn more here.
—
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
The Weeknd once sang “Metro Boomin turn this ho into a mosh pit” on their Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Heartless,” but last Thursday (Oct. 26), he turned Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre into an entire hip-hop symphony during his Red Bull Symphonic concert. His one-night-only experience marked the West Coast premiere of the Red […]
HipHopWired Featured Video
Red Bull Culture Clash, an event inspired by the “soundclash” battle scene first popularized in Jamaica, will make its return to Atlanta next month and will feature four popular crews facing off for the title of winner. With the clashing quartet highlighting the sounds of Dancehall, Reggaeton, Amapiano, and Hip-Hop, the crews will be assisted in their respective genres with notable fixtures of the scene.
On November 4, Rum Punch Brunch, Mashup Sessions, Bamba Tuesdays, and Perreo404, all known for throwing some of the hottest parties throughout Atlanta, will face off at the Gateway Center Arena with a special performance lined up.
Rum Punch Brunch, with DJs Tony Matterhorn and Willy Chin, will feature during its set Jamaican dancehall artist and producer Serani, Mashup Sessions will bring Young Nudy onstage with DJs Unruely and The Canterbury Tales. Bamba Tuesdays will take the stage with Afro B, with DJs Kash, DangerVybz, and Polish providing the sounds, and Perreo404 will be joined by Bad Bunny collaborator DJ Luian with assistance from DJ EU and Nino Augustine.
Along with the Red Bull Culture Clash featured crews, Atlanta legends Crime Mob will put on a performance with original members Diamond, Lil’ Jay, M.I.G., Money Blacc (Cyco Blacc), and Princess. Serving as hosts will be Jessie Woo and Paige Shari and DJ Jay Shale will provide the vibes for fans before and between sets.
Red Bull Culture Clash first kicked off in Atlanta in 2017 and returned the following year with Dancehall crew Unruly winning the battle in its first year with Frequent Fliers taking the title in 2018. The event returned to the States last year with events held in New York and Los Angeles.
“Super excited to be a part of Red Bull Culture Clash this year because I’ve been a team member a few years back with Mike WiLL (Made-It) and the Eardrummers. Now it’s time to lead the charge for my own team,” DJ Kash of Bamba Tuesdays said in a statement. “Red Bull Culture Clash is like a legit gladiator battle for DJs, producers, and whatever you do creatively in the music. For me, this is super important because this lets you know where you stand as far as how to rock a crowd.”
“Red Bull Culture Clash is an important event in Atlanta because it highlights all the people that are doing movements in the city of Atlanta – that are really putting on for the culture of the city and showcasing all the vibes and sounds of our cultures,” added DJ EU, who won Red Bull 3Style in Atlanta in 2013. “Red Bull Culture Clash takes me back to my Red Bull 3Style battling days, but this time it’s not one person – it’s the crew and I could not be happier to be repping the Latinos in Atlanta with my Perreo404 crew.”
Tickets are on sale right now. To get yours, follow this link.
—
Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Red Bull / Red Bull
Red Bull is bringing back its orchestra concert experience this fall, with Metro Boomin as the performer of honor.
On Thursday (September 14th), Red Bull announced that the Grammy Award-winning DJ, producer, and artist would be taking the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California for the second installment of their Red Bull Symphonic concert series. Metro Boomin will perform alongside the veteran conductor Anthony Parnther and the Symphonic Orchestra as they reimagine his greatest musical hits in symphonic form for an eager audience.
Maestro Anthony Parnther has been noted as a steadfast champion for works from Black and Latino composers as well as women composers. He’s graced the stage with the Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and the Sydney Symphony. Parnther has also worked with John Williams and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
The announcement comes after the first Red Bull Symphonic experience was a thrilling success. The sold-out show was held at the Symphony Hall in Atlanta, Georgia last year with Rick Ross as the featured performer. He was joined by Orchestra Noir, an all-Black orchestra group, Grammy Award-winning violinist Mapy, and the Sainted trap choir.
“I’m very excited to be part of such an amazing music moment with Red Bull,” said Metro Boomin in the announcement. “I have a deep love and appreciation for orchestral music, which can be heard in many of the records I’ve produced. Now, with Red Bull Symphonic, we’re able to reimagine a whole body of work that I’m proud of in a live show with the talent of the Symphonic Orchestra, which has always been a dream of mine that I’m finally seeing come to life.”
The Red Bull Symphonic event will be held on October 26th. Tickets for the event for the public will be sold through Ticketmaster beginning on Friday (September 15th) at 9 AM PST. More information can be found here.
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Red Bull BC One, the annual leading breaking competition in the world, will conclude its 2023 run in the States this month with some of the nation’s top competitors in yet another stacked field. On August 26, Fillmore Philadelphia will host a weekend of Red Bull BC One festivities, ending things off by crowning the National champions that will then go on to compete at the World Final in Paris, France.
Before Red Bull BC One gives up the stage to the B-Boys and B-Girls vying for the title, on Friday, August 25, Red Bull BC One Camp will host a series of seminars, events, and the like to bring the sport of breaking to the City of Brotherly Love. Menno, a three-time BC One champion, will host a battle workshop. There will also be a Pride in Break couch session with LGBTQ+ breakers, including B-Girl Rascal Randi, B-Girl Beta, B-Boy Dosu, and B-Boy Wicket.
Related Stories
The competition will host the regional winners and runner-ups from Orlando, Minneapolis, and New York, along with several wild card contestants putting on their best moves in front of the judges and crowd. The new BC One B-Boy and B-Girl champions will head to Paris on October 21 at the Stade Roland-Garros Stadium to take on the global competitors.
This year’s National Final BC One will feature 16 B-Boys and 16 B-Girls from across the nation, along with returning 2022 BC One National Finalists B-Boy Ali and B-Boy Dosu. The judges overseeing the scoring for the competition are B-Boy Alien Ness, B-Girl Beta, Red Bull BC One All-Star and three-time Red Bull BC One World Champion B-Boy Menno, and Red Bull BC One All-Star B-Girl Kastet.
DJ Fleg will provide the backing beats and attendees will get a special performance from the talent quartet of MCs, Coast Contra, who recently torched their Red Bull Spiral freestyle session. Steve Believe & Myverse will serve as the hosts.
All of this comes as Hip-Hop celebrates its 50th anniversary this month on August 11, and Red Bull’s continued commitment to highlighting the music and pillars of the culture is appreciated here at Hip-Hop Wired.
To learn more, purchase tickets, and get a breakdown of the schedule, click here.
—
Photo: Red Bull
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
New York Red Bulls, a Major League Soccer team purchased by the famed brand back in 2006, will debut a new kit that honors the city and birthplace of Hip-Hop music and culture. The Freestyle Kit pays homage to the pillars of Hip-Hop just in time for the 50th anniversary later this month.
The New York Red Bulls Freestyle Kit comes in a graffiti-styled Black and white motif with various “tags” blasting the word Hip-Hop underneath the Red Bull logo on the chest. For those unaware, the kit in soccer (or football) is the uniform players wear on the field (pitch).
The New York Red Bulls Freestyle Kit honors the pillars of MC-ing, DJ-ing, graffiti, and beat-boxing and is also marked with a tag that notes that Hip-Hop is celebrating 50 years of existence on the hem.
“Representing a global movement that spans 50 years and has seen so many different styles and approaches. It had to be raw, it had to be authentic. It’s not about having all the fancy equipment or technology. It’s about letting all the imperfections show through, which in turn, makes it perfect,” Art Director Kevin Maulbeck said in a statement. “We decided on focusing on one of the pillars of hip hop – graffiti, more specially in this case, writing. Thought about the walls, doors and trains all around the area covered in graffiti and stickers. I hope when people see this jersey, they think it is raw, authentic, loud and true. It’s more than NY hip hop, but at its core, that’s exactly what it is: the local scene on display for the global audience.”
Director of Marketing Justin Baier adds, “It was important for us to celebrate a narrative and design that can be authentic and representative of the club, our values and our surrounding neighborhoods. Our third kit is our club’s offering to the celebration of the 50-year history of Hip Hop, its impact around the globe from artists of all different backgrounds and the importance it’s had on our local community’s culture and storytelling through the past 5 decades.”
The New York Red Bulls will don the kit for the first time on August 26 in perhaps the most anticipated MLS game of the year as Inter Miami CF and new addition Lionel Messi will lock horns on the field at Red Bull Arena.
To purchase the kit, click here.
To learn more about the New York Red Bulls, click here.
—
Photo: Mauricio Gonzales / New York Red Bulls
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
