International Freestyle King AdonysX Talks Competition Prep, His Inspirations And Stepping In The Booth
AdonysX is a name that’s quickly rising in the world of international freestyle rap and with good reason. Born in Isla Margarita, Venezuela, and raised across the vibrant hip hop scenes of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, New York, and ultimately Florida, the dynamic lyricist has carved out a reputation as a fierce competitor with razor-sharp wit, unmatched crowd control, and a vocabulary as deep as his bars.
After taking his first steps into freestyle at just 13 years old, AdonysX began lighting up local battles in Venezuela before climbing the ranks in the U.S. Red Bull Batalla circuit. In 2023, he made his mark by winning the Red Bull Batalla Miami Regional Championship. However, due to his legal resident status still being processed at the time, he was ineligible to compete internationally—an experience that only sharpened his resolve.
“Being held back from competing lit a fire in me,” AdonysX recalls. That fire paid off. In 2024, he returned to the national stage with a vengeance, delivering a flawless performance and defeating Freites in the final battle to be crowned the Red Bull Batalla U.S. National Champion. With that win, he earned a long-awaited ticket to the Red Bull Batalla World Final in Madrid, Spain, the biggest stage in international freestyle competition.
Preparing for such high-stakes battles takes more than just confidence. For AdonysX, it begins with discipline. “I have to read as much as I possibly can,” he says. “Your vocabulary can only take you so far when you’re freestyling on the spot, so I’m constantly reading—books, magazines, newspapers, even random articles. It all adds to my arsenal.”
In addition to expanding his knowledge base, he preps his delivery. “I practice just speaking in a loud voice in the days leading up to competitions so I can get used to projecting. And before the battle, I go in with a clear mind. That’s how I stay ready to respond in seconds.”
His influences run deep, particularly in his native Venezuela. “There’s an artist named Acapella who started in the same circuits I did. He was the first guy I ever saw freestyling, and I was in awe. He’s the reason I got into this,” AdonysX reflects. “Last year, he was one of the judges at the Miami national final—and he picked me as the winner. That was a full circle moment.”
While freestyle is his primary battlefield for now, AdonysX isn’t one-dimensional. He’s also putting work into studio recordings and building a catalog of music. Still, he’s candid about the challenge of transitioning from the freestyle stage to the recording booth. “In the studio, I’ll hear myself being repetitive—using the same flow from a freestyle—and I press reset. I try to change the flow, make it meticulous, make a cool song. Some of the sharpest pens can’t make records. I want to master both.”
Despite his rapid rise, AdonysX is as competitive as ever, particularly as he heads into the 2024 Miami qualifier. When asked who poses the biggest threat, he grins and says, “Nobody can beat me!” before acknowledging some strong contenders like Freites, Onair, Miko B, and Reverse It. “It’s a freestyle battle—anyone can win on a given day. But I still feel untouchable. That’s the mindset I have to keep.”
What separates Red Bull Batalla from the rest of the global freestyle circuits, according to AdonysX, is its innovation. “It’s the biggest competition in the world, but they also keep people on their toes. Every year they flip the script—new themes, different rules. It keeps it exciting.”
Now with a national title in hand and the world watching, AdonysX has set his sights on becoming a two-time national champ and securing a world championship. “I’ve felt what it’s like to win here,” he says. “Now I want to put the U.S. freestyle scene on top and bring that world title home.”