The atmosphere at Brooklyn’s Mercury Store was electrifying on Saturday (July) thanks to a fierce rap competition. At Red Bull Batalla‘s regional qualifier, New York’s AdonYS emerged as the victor, spitting punchline after punchline alongside other MCs with an eye on the Red Bull Batalla USA National Final, to be held in Miami in October. For the first time, fans will be able to watch the New York regional battle tonight (July 16) at 7 p.m. ET.

The event highlighted the exceptional talent gathered from across the country, with 16 aspiring Latin MCs — including 4ases, Eckonn, El Dømi, La Eminencia, Zkart, Kingkique and others — battling through incendiary rounds. Their exuberance and linguistic prowess confirmed the deep-rooted connection and evolving style of the Spanish freestyle community.

“Every time I rap, I take you in waves/ You’re spoiled, you don’t know how to even rub a gun/ This is rap, tomorrow vacilón, this is hip-hop and also a sensation,” AdonYS spat in Spanish against Freites, a Venezuelan lyricist from Orlando, Florida, who the Dominican New Yorker eventually defeated. Both advanced to the national finals, along with Raiiden and Metricoh Flowster.

The battles were adjudicated by a panel of three judges: rappers El Dilema, Snow Qlq and Latin Grammy nominee J Noa, the latter of whom the audience got to see in action on the mic at the close of the Batalla night.

Red Bull Batalla, now entering its sixth year in the United States, has grown throughout the Spanish-speaking world. The first Batalla (initially known as “Batalla de los Gallos”) was held in Puerto Rico in 2005, following the success of the Eminem-starring blockbuster 8 Mile. The event has established itself as one of the largest Spanish-speaking freestyle competitions in the world, resonating with the battle-rap community and receiving more than 8,000 applications annually from hopefuls around the world.

The 2023 World Final in Bogota captivated more than 12,000 attendees, underscoring the broad appeal of the event. Looking ahead, the excitement builds toward the 2024 World Final set for Madrid’s Wizink Center on November 30, which sold out within a week of ticket release.

With each passing year, Red Bull Batalla continues to establish itself as a cultural phenomenon, pushing the boundaries of freestyle rap and showcasing the talent that Spanish-speaking communities harbor.

Below, watch AdonYS win the regional title in New York, and more than a dozen rappers compete for the crown. The video will begin streaming at 7 p.m. ET.

The date for the Red Bull Batalla USA National Final in Miami in October to be announced soon.