New York City’s own Salinas, played host for Red Bull’s annual Spanish Freestyle Battle Olympics Dinner. The event in celebration is commonly known as Red Bull Batalla.
The dinner was held in particular to familiarize media members with the future stars of the upcoming event, along with giving them the power to ask any questions that might have been plaguing them over the past few months.
With the 2021 Olympics well underway, Red Bull has their own rendition of the competition in a similar worldwide fashion.
Battle rap, culturally, has always been glorified as something underground. By the people for the people in many ways.
Red Bull as a brand, in many ways represents and embodies exactly what battle rap has been over the years- A necessary platform that in the right light can thrive organically.
Insert Red Bull Batalla, which is a platform Red Bull has developed over the years for the Spanish Freestyle Battle Rap scene. This year is the fifteenth rendition of the event and will have three rounds putting each MC to the test on the spot.
When speaking to JAYCO- a competitor in the upcoming battles. He spoke confidently and excitedly about the new opportunity to prove not only his ability but the range of his skillset.
“It’s a whole new opportunity to prove myself, not just for me but to the newer generation that it’s possible. A lot of the newcomers think we haven’t done what their doing. To me, we just didn’t have the cameras and the platform that they do. But in terms of skill- I feel like I, along with my generation, is more than capable.”
For those who aren’t familiar with JAYCO or his background- he hails from the Dominican Republic and won the Red Bull Batalla Dominican Republic championship back in 2007.
He then went on to lose in the International Finals that year but has been competing in local and international competitions since then. JAYCO returns for the 15th season of Red Bull Batalla, this time competing in the US circuit.
With a lot of the younger competitors, especially those of Dominican descent, looking up to JAYCO – it’s going to be fun to see how he holds his weight with a new generation of battle rap.
The Batalla will consist of three rounds, the latter of which will be held from Dec 11-12.
Following the U.S. National Final, the respective champions from over 10 countries including the U.S., Mexico, Spain, and Colombia, will square off for the Red Bull Batalla World Final – where only one contestant can be crowned the 2021 Red Bull Batalla World Champion.
