Published on August 24th, 2022 | by Dr. Jerry Doby

Full Details in on Red Bull Batalla’s USA National Final in Miami

Top 16 MCs will battle it out on October 8th at Soho Studios for a chance to represent the USA at the world final

Red Bull Batalla, the world’s largest Spanish-language freestyle competition, is thrilled to unveil full details for the upcoming USA National Final going down Saturday, October 8, in Miami at Soho Studios. Fans will witness a talented group of 16 MCs pass the mics across ruthless, bracket-style knockout rounds, brandishing their best wit, creativity, and quick-thinking in the hope of wowing the judges for both the glory of the National Champion title and the ability to advance to the World Final in Mexico City.

After the 2022 season launch this spring, the Qualifying Phase saw Red Bull Batalla judges spend months narrowing down the best freestylers from an applicant pool of thousands through virtual and in-person events, including a pair of back-to-back qualifier events last month in Dallas and Los Angeles.

All eyes now shift to Miami, where fans will witness the top finalists compete to be crowned the 2022 National Champion at the Red Bull Batalla USA National Final. Reverse, the young Florida powerhouse and 2021 USA National Champion, will look to defend his title from an elite pool of MCs in Miami, including fresh faces like fellow Floridian OneR, who made it through to the L.A. regional as a last-minute alternate and out-rhymed everyone to win the top spot, J Luna, a civil engineer by day who bulldozed his way to this top group after a thrilling regional performance, and Pailot, an Argentinian tennis instructor living in Oklahoma who brought his A game at the Dallas Regional.

Audiences were surprised to learn that one of the advancing MCs had to withdraw from the competition due to unforeseen personal circumstances, leaving the final 16th slot up for grabs. To find the final MC, Red Bull Batalla will now host a Last Chance Cypher event in Miami ahead of the National Final to find the last MC who’s hungry for a chance at the crown. The Last Chance Cypher will take place on Sunday, September 24 at UNKNWN in Wynwood, Miami. Follow @RedBullBatalla social handles for more on timing and further details to be released in the coming weeks.

USA NATIONAL FINAL | Event Information

For tickets and full details about the competitors, judges, and participating talent details, please read on:

WHEN: Saturday, October 8^th| Doors open at 7:00 PM ET; Show starts at 9:00 PM ET

WHERE: Soho Studios | 2136 NW 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33127

TICKETS: https://win.gs/3dRibrm

THE JUDGES:

Yartzi – Former two-time Red Bull Batalla USA National Champion and Puerto Rican global freestyle juggernaut
Cacha – Legendary Argentinian freestyler who’s considered by many to be the king of the ‘Double Tempo’ style
Moises – Freestyle connoisseur and Dioses de la City freestyle league organizer
Gabylonia – Latin Grammy nominee and Red Bull Batalla OG hailing from Caracas, Venezuela
Chuty – Former two-time Red Bull Batalla Spain National Champion

THE HOSTS:

Rasco White Lion – Prominent freestyle event host and creator of the Indigo Freestyle League
Jenn Morel – With over 80 million streams, this Latin rapper and musical sensation is known for her aggressive rhymes and viral dance moves

THE EVENT DJ:

Craze – A Nicaraguan American DJ connecting the dots between hip hop, Miami bass, trap, drum and bass & more. He was the only solo DJ in history to win the DMC World DJ Championships trophy three times consecutively until 2020. Craze will be creating exclusive beats just for the National Final

THE COMPETITORS:

El Poeta | Phoenix, AZ

Born Victor Fabian Lopez Leon, El Poeta began crafting his signature sound at the age of 16, blending the sounds of the U.S. and Mexico. After trying his hand at Red Bull Batalla in 2020, the hungry MC won the 2022 Dallas Qualifier Event held in June.

Pailot | Durant, OK

Manuel Pilotto is an Argentinian tennis instructor currently residing in Atlanta, GA. What started off as a joke and hobby with friends, freestyling ended up becoming a turning point in his life, as 2022 was Pailot’s first time entering Red Bull Batalla, ultimately earning himself a chance at this year’s National Final.

Adonys | New York, NY

Miguel Adonys Gomera was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Long Island, NY. After discovering Red Bull Batalla at the age of 13, Adonys began discovering his passion for the arts and continued throughout high school and college. In 2021, he applied for the first time and made it to the top 16. This year, he gets another chance.

OneR | Tamarac, FL

Born Juan Rodriguez, OneR is a 19-year-old Venezulean residing in Tamarac, FL. Getting his start in freestyling with friends for fun, OneR shocked everyone by winning the last month’s L.A. Qualifier outright after being chosen as a last-minute alternate.

Nico B | Miami, FL

Nicolas Blanco is a 22-year-old Colombian who, by chance, stumbled upon the freestyle scene in 2018 through park battles. Utilizing his passion for music, Nico B entered Red Bull Batalla in 2019 and will once again get his chance to compete at the National Final this October.

Macías | Colorado Springs, CO

Francisco Javier Alberto Macías Escandon got his first taste in music at the age of 9 and later on entered and won a beatboxing competition. Macías took 2nd place at the 2022 L.A. Qualifier, after first applying to Red Bull Batalla in 2021. Macías’ inspiration derives from encouraging others to chase their dreams and hopes to impact others looking to take a chance on themselves and make a career in freestyling and rapping.

Outlaw | San Juan, Puerto Rico

Antonio Manuel Gonzalez Ojeda is a 24-year-old Puerto Rican who currently resides in Cabo Rojo. Outlaw first started freestyling with friends in 2019. An Uber driver by day, Outlaw is passionate about expressing his creativity and continuing his career.

Reverse | West Palm Beach, FL

Marcos Acosta Leiva is a 19-year-old Cuban artist and freestyler, currently residing in West Palm Beach, FL. After first competing in Red Bull Batalla in 2020, Reverse won it all at the 2021 USA National Final and was crowned National Champion. One of the few MCs that knows the pressure of the world stage, Reverse will be one to watch in Miami as he looks to defend his title and make a name for himself worldwide.

Eckonn | Orlando, FL

Erickson Enrique Nunez Martinez is a 25-year-old freestyler from Maracaibo City, Venezuela, currently residing in Orlando. He is a singer and songwriter who is ready to launch his craft on a global scale. He hopes to continue his “American Dream” to one day be crowned the Red Bull Batalla World Champion.

McBetho | Irving, TX

Getting his start in Tijuana, Mexico, Luis Alberto Aguirre Amador, is a notable talent competing across the U.S., and Central & South America scenes. His love of freestyling comes from the mental skill it takes to succeed and the magic improvisation can bring. After making it to the 2019 National Final, McBetho is bringing that magic to Miami as he eyes his potential first win in Red Bull Batalla.

Cuban | McAllen, TX

Frank Munoz is a content creator from Cuba, currently residing in McAllen, TX. Cuban’s first taste of freestyle came through offering his own spin to the music he listened to, changing the lyrics where he saw fit. Once he moved to Miami, Cuban discovered Red Bull Batalla and the excitement of freestyle rap battles. After entering the competition in 2020 and failing to qualify, Cuban has a chance of making it to the next round for the 2022 World Final.

Freites | Orlando, FL

Jose Freites is a Venezuelan residing in Orlando, FL. Freites joined the freestyling community after doing it for fun with friends. At only 19-years-old, he went onto win the Miami Regional Cup, earning himself a slot at this year’s National Final in Miami.

Santos | New York, NY

Angel Andres Feliz de los Santos is a Dominican filmmaker from New York. After falling in love with Red Bull Batalla in 2007, he took a shot at competing in 2016. After competing in the NY Regional Cup, Santos was declared victorious, allowing him a chance to represent the U.S. at the World Final in Mexico later this year.

Jordi | Austin, TX

Jordi was born in Eagle Lake, TX, he moved with his family to Torreón, Mexico when he was two. When he returned to the U.S. at 16, he went on to study psychology; He currently works in landscaping in Austin, TX. After finishing as the runner up in the 2019 National Final, Jordi was declared the Dallas Regional Cup Winner, which gives him a deserved second shot.

J Luna | Los Angeles, CA

Jesus Luna is a Civil Engineer by day who’s love for hip-hop and rap brought him into the world of Red Bull Batalla. After competing for the first time at 19, J Luna entered Red Bull Batalla first 2020 and was recently declared the 2022 Los Angeles Regional Cup winner, granting him a slot at this year’s National Final.

The Hype Magazine celebrity correspondent HenGee Garcia was on hand in Los Angeles to witness the epic event!

To relive all battle action from this season’s USA Qualifier Phase events on-demand, please visit Red Bull Batalla on Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook.

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Tags: Hip Hop, Red Bull, Red Bull Batalla

About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.