Events

World’s Largest Rap Competition Is Back For Historic 20th Season

May 8, 2025
Sha Be Allah

Red Bull Batalla, the largest Spanish-language freestyle rap battle in the world, reveals season details for the 2025-26 U.S. season, including the full list of 32 of the fiercest freestylers in the country who will be facing-off in the American leg of the competition. Following a global application phase, where over 8,500 MCs from nearly 20 countries submitted video applications via the Red Bull Batalla app, the field is officially set for the stateside season with a diverse pool of competitors hailing from every pocket of the country.

U.S. Qualifier Phase: Chicago & Miami

Now in its seventh season in the U.S., Red Bull Batalla will host a pair of qualifier events this summer in the U.S., the first in Chicago on June 14th inside the Veriport airplane hangar and the second in Miami on July 19th at the city’s famed nightlife venue, M2. The bracket-style qualifier events will pit the most gifted spanish-language freestyle MCs from across the country against each other in 1v1 battles, where each MC has hopes of advancing to the highly anticipated U.S. National Final, taking place for the first time ever in New York City, birthplace of hip-hop, on September 26th. 

These three season events are set to become some of the biggest nights yet for Red Bull Batalla in the U.S. 

The 2025 U.S. Red Bull Batalla participants list is stacked with some of the biggest names across the American spanish-language freestyle scene including two-time U.S. National Champion (2021, 2023) Reverse, making his long-awaited return after a brief hiatus, as well as Phoenix’s own MC Betho, and Colombian heavy-hitter Nico B, who have their eyes set on the National crown after finishing as runner-ups in previous years. Every season, a handful of fresh faces make a name for themselves on the Red Bull Batalla stage and this year is no different with rookies like 21 Gramos MC, hailing from New York City and Dajamii ALIEN, the Houston-based newcomer joining Desnivela, marking the first-time multiple female MCs compete in a U.S. season. 

The panel of judges and guest performers for each of the qualifier events will be announced closer to each of the event dates. See below for the rest of the details around the Red Bull Batalla U.S. Qualifier events:

June 14 – Chicago Qualifier  

COMPETING MCs 

July 19th – Miami Qualifier 

COMPETING MCs 

Four semi-finalists will be advancing from each of the two qualifier events, and will go on to  compete against the reigning U.S. Red Bull Batalla Champion, AdonysX as well as the 2024 U.S. runner-up, Freites and 3rd place finalist and former National Champion (2023), Oner for the illustrious 2025 U.S. Championship title. The remaining 5 of 16 competitor slots for the National Final will be filled by the winners of four Red Bull Batalla regional cup events, as well as the winner of the Ultimo Cupo battle.

The top MC that’s crowned National Champion will move forward to the biggest stage in spanish-language freestyle, the Red Bull Batalla International Final taking place in Chile. For the most up to date season details and event results, visit RedBull.com/Batalla and follow @RedBullBatalla on social.