Artist Amplified

Red Bull Batalla Hosts the First U.S. National Finals in NYC

Seth "Digital Crates" Barmash

August 15, 2025

WORLD’S LARGEST SPANISH-LANGUAGE RAP COMPETITION, RED BULL BATALLA, ANNOUNCES HISTORIC U.S. SEASON FINALE

THE NATION’S TOP 16 FREESTYLE MCs WILL CONVERGE FOR FIRST-EVER NATIONAL FINAL HOSTED IN NYC

Only one MC can be crowned the 2025 U.S. National Champion and represent

the country at the Red Bull Batalla World Final in Chile

Tickets on Sale Now: redbull.com/batallanyc

Red Bull Batalla, the world’s largest Spanish-language freestyle competition, announced full details for the 2025 U.S. National Final, set to take place in New York City – the birthplace of hip-hop – for the first time in the competition’s 20-year history. The top 16 MCs in the U.S., chosen from this season’s high-stakes qualifier phase, will go head-to-head on Friday, September 26, at Brooklyn Steel, battling for the title of 2025 U.S. National Champion.

The warehouse-turned–live music venue will set the stage for a high-octane lyrical showdown featuring each MC’s best rhymes, cunning wit and stage presence to win over the judges. The last MC standing will earn the honor of representing the U.S. at the world’s largest stage for freestyle rap, the Red Bull Batalla World Final taking place in Chile on April 11.

Each battle will be judged by a stacked panel of freestyle heavyweights including 2024 U.S. National Finalist Freites, 2007 World Final runner up Jay-Co, and Tito Yang who was the first-ever Puerto Rican MC in a World Final. Holding down the mic as hosts will be Racso White Lion and Sayonara, with nonstop bangers on the decks courtesy of DJ POPEYE.

As the global competition celebrates its 20th anniversary season, the U.S. National Final will showcase remarkable freestyle talent from across the country, highlighting the lasting impact of Red Bull Batalla on the lives of aspiring MCs worldwide. The historic season kicked off with over 8,500 MCs from nearly 20 countries submitting video entries during the global application phase in the Spring. An intense qualifier round, featuring jam packed events in Chicago and Miami, set the stage for one of the most competitive National Finals to date.

As the countdown begins, the National Final will feature a powerhouse lineup of competitors including the reigning U.S. National Champion and Venezuelan phenom AdonysX, two-time national champion Reverse, Miami’s Sourius, an underdog who entered the Miami qualifier as a reserve, and Denver’s own Desnivela, who aims to make history as the first-ever female U.S. champion.

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.

This season, Metro by T-Mobile is the official 5G partner of Red Bull Batalla. To relive all battle action from this season’s USA Qualifier events on-demand, please visit Red Bull Batalla on YouTube, Twitch and Facebook.

FULL EVENT DETAILS: 2025 RED BULL BATALLA U.S. NATIONAL FINAL

WHEN: Friday, September 26 | Doors at 6:30pm, start time at 7:30PM

WHERE: Brooklyn Steel | 319 Frost St, Brooklyn, NY 11222

TICKETS: redbull.com/batallanyc

JUDGES:

Freites – 2024 U.S. National Final runner-up
Jay-Co – 2007 World Final runner up
Tito Yang – MC and first-ever Puerto Rican MC in a World Final

HOSTS:

Racso White Lion -Official host of the 2025 Red Bull Batalla U.S. season and founder of the Orlando-based Indigo Freestyle League.
Sayonara– Red Bull Batalla scenester and freestyle industry expert.

COMPETITORS: