The Red Bull Batalla season kicked off in Chicago this year, introducing an exhilarating freshness to the prestigious freestyle competition.
Taking place at Vertiport, North America’s largest heliport, the Qualifier arena buzzed with anticipation as 16 MCs vied to showcase their lyrical prowess.
Chicago, historically a breeding ground for hip-hop talent, has made significant contributions to the rap scene since the 1980s, with notable artists like Twista and Common paving the way.
In recent years, the city has evolved its own distinct battle culture, highlighted by the legendary MC J.U.I.C.E. who reportedly defeated Eminem in a famous battle.
The standard for this year’s competition demanded participants to embody Chicago’s signature traits: wit, intelligent wordplay, and technical skill.
Three esteemed judges—Freites, PJ Sin Suela, and Chicago’s Oivg—were entrusted with evaluating the competitors.
Freites, having competed in the Red Bull Batalla National Final for three years in a row, was especially positioned to discern which punchlines resonated best with the crowd.
PJ Sin Suela, not only a rapper but also a doctor, brought his expertise to the table while looking for tight technical skills among the wordsmiths.
Also serving as a judge, Oivg added a local perspective to the evaluation process.
Among the diverse lineup of MCs, both fresh faces and seasoned veterans brought their best to the stage, with names such as Desnivela and Chester standing out in their performances.
Desnivela, already making history as the first woman to progress to the USA National Final Stage, captured attention alongside competitors like New York’s Adonys and Texas’s Micky Ricon.
In the first round of this bracket-style tournament, participants had to improvise over randomly chosen themes such as gastronomy, colors, feelings, and sports.
One of the early highlight battles featured Max against Adonys.
Though Adonys emerged victorious, Max made a mark with impressive lines like, “Voting for me is betting on the future,” showcasing his confidence and lyrical abilities in his rookie performance.
Standouts during the initial rounds also included Métricoh and Santoro, who battled against newcomer Lil Panda rck, winning after an intense tiebreaker.
As the competition continued, hosts Rasco White Lion and Sayonara maintained high energy and smooth transitions, keeping the audience engaged throughout the two-hour event.
As Bronx-born MC 21 Gramos mc put it, “Rapping like us is an extreme sport,” capturing the fierce spirit of the evening.
DJ Solares provided rhythmic backdrops for the MCs as they entered one-on-one battles.
In the quarterfinals, standouts like Reverse, Jordi, Desnivela, Chester, and Adonys advanced, facing increasingly tough competition.
This time, competitors were challenged to showcase their freestyle talents without any thematic prompts, pushing them to rely solely on their instincts and skills.
A notable match between Jordi and Adonys set a high standard from the onset, with both MCs battling closely in a nail-biting tiebreaker.
Following that, Lil Panda rck faced off against rising star Raiiden, both delivering powerful performances that kept the crowd on edge.
As the semifinals commenced, Reverse and Adonys saw themselves battling for a place in the Finals.
In addition to their creative lyricism, both MCs addressed current social issues such as protests happening around the country.
Although Desnivela and Lil Panda rck demonstrated remarkable talent, it was Reverse, the reigning U.S. National Champion who previously won in both 2021 and 2023, and Adonys, who emerged victorious, cementing their positions in the excitement of the Final.
As the climactic battle unfolded between Reverse and Adonys, both gave it their all to claim the Chicago Qualifier title.
Adonys brought humorous punchlines to the stage, spitting lines like, “You know what it is… I’ll hit you with the left and get you with a knife,” while Reverse countered with fierce lines, “I’m here to be the Genesis of your Apocalypses.”
In the end, it was Reverse who showcased the skill and finesse to claim the victory, securing his spot in the National Final alongside semifinalists Adonys, Desnivela, and Lil Panda rck.
Reflecting on his win, Reverse expressed, “This year we’re going for a triple championship. I want to win the Red Bull U.S. National Final three times, and that’s what we’re going for. Winning the National as well. Thank God for the blessings.”
He added, “Now, it’s time to stay focused and keep working.”
As the excitement continues to build, on September 26, semifinalists from various qualifiers will gather for a final showdown to decide who will represent the U.S. at the National Final in Brooklyn, NY.
Stay tuned for more developments as the Red Bull Batalla competition unfolds.
image source from：https://www.redbull.com/us-en/red-bull-batalla-2025-reverse-wins-first-ever-chicago-qualifier
