Music
A brief history of Red Bull SoundClash
Trace the unique musical evolution of Red Bull SoundClash since its inaugural event was held in the Netherlands back in 2006.
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SoundClash competitions originated in Kingston, Jamaica during the 1950s, where local reggae sound systems began to challenge each other to musical duels to excite and impress their audiences. A thrilling blend of DJ mixes, live performances and MC cyphers, sound system parties provided fertile ground not only for innovative musical playfighting but for SoundClash competition culture as we know it to evolve and soar.
Red Bull SoundClash adds a special twist to the traditional face-off structure by turning it into a friendly battle between two artists as they challenge each other over multiple rounds, with the audience deciding the winner.
The first Red Bull SoundClash was held in the Netherlands in 2006. Now, there have been more than 100 roof-shattering events worldwide.
The Suffers
© Greg Noire/Red Bull Content Pool
2006 – A star is born
Red Bull SoundClash is inaugurated with local Eindhoven reggae/ska collective Beef versus hip-hop and funk outfit C-mon & Kypski, setting a lively and explosive scene for all future battles.
2007 – Moscow bound
Following a string of follow-up competitions in the Netherlands, Red Bull SoundClash takes place in Russia for the first time with a raucous mano-a-mano between singer-rapper Noize MC and hip-hop star G.D.R.
okazakitaiiku and yabai T-shirts yasan perform at Red Bull SoundClash Japan
© So Hasegawa
2008 – World domination
This is the year Red Bull SoundClash went truly global with shows the world over: Netherlands, New Zealand, Hungary, Belgium, Austria, Peru, Russia, Australia, Japan and the USA. A hugely diverse roster of competing talent – including Triggerfinger, Nico Vega, Crash Kings, Elemeno P and more – solidified the competition’s status as a wholly unique event.
2009 – Bigger and better
A record year with 13 Red Bull SoundClash events all over the world, including seven shows in the USA and debut appearances in South Africa and Switzerland. Standout moments included renowned funk collective The Roots clashing in Boston with Afrobeat orchestra Antibalas, and the legendary neo-soul star Erykah Badu teaming up with Cannabinoids to face LA-based rockers Shiny Toy Guns in Dallas.
Tokyo Police Club
© Justin Kosman/Red Bull Content Pool
2010 – Testing the waters
A new decade marked a turning point in Red Bull SoundClash, as competitors continued to push boundaries to get to the top. Canadian indie rockers Tokyo Police Club took on local rapper Wale in front of the Capitol Building in Washington DC; The Roots made a momentous return to front Shiny Toy Guns in Atlanta; and the competition went to the Czech Republic, Brazil and India for the first time.
2011 – It’s getting Ludacris
Southern rap icon Ludacris appeared not just in one, but two, Red Bull SoundClashes against pop singer-songwriter Mike Posner in Miami, as well as electro-rockers Neon Trees in his native Atlanta. That same year, electro-pop duo The Ting Tings brought major party vibes to Las Vegas with a guest performance from the iconic hip-hop crew Goodie Mob. Meanwhile, on South Padre Island, Texas an epic duel took place between the one-and-only Snoop Dogg against local heroes Ghostland Observatory.
Ludacris
© Jeremy Deputat/Red Bull Content Pool
2012 – Eurotrip
Red Bull SoundClash was all about the Eurozone in 2012 with shows in the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Turkey, Germany, Lithuania and Poland (with a subtropical stop-off in Brazil for a clash between Nando Reis and Gaby Amarantos). An eclectic collection of acts – including Greek guitar heroes Mellises, Polish punks Acid Drinkers and Turkish ska-heads Athena – all brought their creative vigor and verve to the arenas.
2013 – Unchartered territories
The competition took its ambitions even bigger with groundbreaking shows in Beirut (with a faceoff between Lebanese bands Mashrou’ Leila and Who Killed Bruce Lee), Cairo (featuring Egyptian acts Cairokee and Wust El Balad) and Dubai (where a returning Wust El Balad took on local outfit Autostrad).
Dubioza Kolektiv
© Predrag Vučković/Red Bull Content Pool
2014 – Unity through music
One of the most interesting Red Bull SoundClashes ever took place in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as Bosnian avant-garde dub rock group Dubioza Kolektiv challenged Serbian alt-rockers S.A.R.S. The electric energy in the air only served to solidify the healing power of music and the life-affirming nature of a good party.
2015 and 2016 – Keeping it real, keeping it local
Red Bull SoundClash relishes the opportunity to platform and champion local artists – and 2015 and 2016 were no exception. Shows in Egypt, Germany, Jordan, Pakistan and Taiwan gave standout local heroes a real chance to be heard on a major stage.
Team Reality Check
© Dirk Mathesius
2017 – Dream teams
This year saw a true clash of hip-hop generations as Team Reality Check (consisting of German Rap veterans Samy Deluxe, Eko Fresh and Afrob) were challenged by new kids on the block Team New Level (including LGoony, Crack Ignaz and Soufian) in Hamburg. What followed was an event for the ages.
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2018 – Keep it moving
Red Bull SoundClash continued to light up stages with returns to Jordan, Romania, Pakistan and Austria, as well as hosted a long-awaited debut appearance in Slovakia with a battle between rapper Rytmus and riotous punks Iné Kafe.
Ozols
© Arturs Pavlovs/Red Bull Content Pool
2019 – Three is the magic number
Red Bull SoundClash smashed new records by putting on three rip-roaring battles over the course of three nights in Cairo, Egypt. Alongside the artists, 15,000 music fans brought the house down over a huge weekend of great music and boisterous bars. Meanwhile, the Red Bull SoundClash road trip continued unabated with appearances in Russia, Italy, Germany and Poland.
2020 – Ain’t no stopping us
Despite global events putting up some roadblocks, Red Bull SoundClash adapted and emerged stronger than ever with a pair of hugely successful virtual shows in Latvia and Lithuania featuring the party-starting sounds of Carnival Youth and Ozols, as well as Freaks on Floor member Justinas Jarutis and pop superstar Monique.
2022 – Back at it
This year saw some huge and memorable Red Bull SoundClashes take place all over the world from Japan to the USA featuring artists like Rico Nasty, Danny Brown, Westside Boogie, Shelley FKA DRAM, Okazaki Taiiku, Yabai T-Shirts Yasan and many more. The highlight of the year took place in Germany where Team Babmòmzjay took on Team Bausa in front of over 6000 fans in Dortmund.
2023 – Red Bull SoundClash hits a milestone
Red Bull SoundClash turns 100 shows young – and what better way to celebrate than an incendiary clash for the ages? Hosted in Romania, legendary rock band Vama faced off against trap superstar Killa Fonic in front of more than 5,000 eager – and loud – spectators. Over four rounds of firing shots, the MCs radiated swagger, bravado and wit during this feverishly fought match.
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