MC Battle
Read up on the history of Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos so far
Ahead of the 2019 Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos 2019 final in Madrid, learn more about the history of the local event that became a global Spanish-language rap battle phenomenon.
From the very first world final in Puerto Rico in 2005 to the 2019 edition taking place this Saturday, November 30 in Madrid, Spain, Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos hasn't stopped spreading across Spanish-speaking countries.
Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos officially started in 2005. National finals were organised for the first time and a world final was held in Puerto Rico – generally considered the home of rap battles in the Spanish-speaking world. Before 2005 there were freestyle events, but Batalla de los Gallos was the first properly organised MC battle tournament in which a handful of personalities from the scene judged the rappers as they improvised over rhythmic bases. The winner of that first final was Argentina's Frescolate.
Other world champions followed Frescolate: Spain's Rayden triumphed in Colombia in 2006, Puerto Rican Link One claimed the title 2007 in Venezuela, Mexico's Hadrián triumphed on home soil in 2008 and Spain's Noult did the same in 2009.
Wos won Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos 2018 in front of 11,000 fans
© Gustavo Cherro/Red Bull Content Pool
In 2010 and 2011 Batalla took a break and we saw different rap competitions flourish. Although in 2012 there was no world final, the best Spanish-speaking freestylers in the world came to the Red Bull Studios in Madrid – built in Matadero for the Red Bull Music Academy. The result was the recording of the album Solo Los Mejores Improvisan (Only The Best Improvise), which soon became the Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos official motto.
Argentina's legend Dtoke ascended to the Batalla de los Gallos throne in 2013, after winning the first world final in three years in front of his home fans in Buenos Aires.
Between 2014 and 2016, Spanish MCs dominated the scene. Invert was the first to win, in Barcelona in 2014, whilst the following year Arkano took the victory in Chile against local favourite Tom Crowley. The Spaniard beat Dtoke in the quarter-finals in the most viewed battle ever, which has clocked more than 40,000,000 views on YouTube. Arkano kissed Dtoke during that battle and it completely changed the game. The last Spanish champion to date is Skone, who won in Peru in 2016 against the local MC Jota.
The following year was owned by Mexico's Aczino who was crowned in front of his home fans, after defeating Arkano in the semi-finals and Wos in the finals. He's now considered the best freestyler in the world and has been the favourite for victory in all competitions he's entered ever since. Aczino has delivered unbelievable battles ever since his win and millions of fans follow him all over the world.
Spectators in Argentina
© Gustavo Cherro/Red Bull Content Pool
In Argentina for the 2018 finals, we saw Wos and Aczino battle again in probably the most anticipated moment in Battle de los Gallos history by rap battle fans. This time however, the home field factor benefited Wos, who defeated the Mexican to be crowned world champion.
In recent years, many freestyle competitions have emerged, but Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos remains true to its roots. The MCs come to battle for no other reward than the global awareness and international reach the contest provides.
At the 2019 world final in Madrid's WiZink Center, both Wos and Aczino will fight against the other 14 rappers across four rounds in the hope of being the first MC to be crowned two-time Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos world champion. Watch all of the action live on Red Bull TV.
Red Bull Batalla de los Gallos world champions
Year
Host country
Winner
Nationality
Argentina
2005
Puerto Rico
Frescolate
Spain
2006
Colombia
Rayden
Puerto Rico
2007
Venezuela
Link One
Mexico
2008
Mexico
Hadrián
Spain
2009
Spain
Noult
Argentina
2013
Argentina
Dtoke
Spain
2014
Spain
Invert
Spain
2015
Chile
Arkano
Spain
2016
Peru
Skone
Mexico
2017
Mexico
Aczino
Argentina
2018
Argentina
Wos
