Red Bull SoundClash • These Days Predictions
Flyer provided by Red Bull
This fall, the Red Bull SoundClash series returned to the U.S. for the first time in a decade. SoundClash heads to Chicago for the series final face-off this Wednesday at 8PM (doors open at 7PM) with MCs Rico Nasty and Danny Brown facing off at Radius. Past matchups have included Westside Boogie & Shelley FKA D.R.A.M in Atlanta and Tank & the Bangas and the Sufferers in Houston.
SoundClash is far from the traditional concert experience. Artists compete with each other in a variety of challenges: covering the hits, putting a genre twist on their own songs, and even creating renditions of their opponent’s songs. The audience decides the winner at the end right after the Final Showdown. While the stakes of “ultimate bragging rights” are not the highest, we still wanted to give you our predictions on what we think/hope will go down.
What Genres Do We Want to See Rico and Danny Try Out?
Rico Nasty is known for confident, rage-fueled lyrics and a slightly raspy voice. Most of her beats are guitar-heavy with clear rock influences. I want to see Rico turn this on its head and do an acoustic guitar version of “Smack A Bitch.”
Danny Brown shares a lot of the same shocking lyrical quality as Rico but his high-pitched delivery has separated him from the pack. He recently relocated to Austin, TX, though and has been spotted at multiple shows rocking a ten-gallon hat and cowboy boots. I’m gonna need Danny to do “Best Life” accompanied by a banjo.
Who Could Our Competitors Bring to The Final Showdown?
Danny Brown has worked with dozens of high-profile artists over the years. Recently, he’s been running with Bruiser Brigade (we could be in for a ZelooperZ sighting) but if he wants to use the big guns, he’ll bring along fellow Midwesterner and old friend Freddie Gibbs; Brown recently made an appearance at Gibbs’ CoKane Comedy event in Austin this fall.
Rico has a strong relationship with mega-producer Kenny Beats. She also just collabed with Flo Milli on “Money,” where the two reworked a 2 Live Crew classic centered around female empowerment. If Flo shows up, it’s over!.
Winner Prediction
It’s really going to depend on whose fanbase ends up showing out the most. Danny definitely has a home field advantage being from the Midwest and drew a huge crowd in Chicago at Pitchfork this year. That being said, TikTok and social media have really given Rico an edge with Gen Z. Rico boasted a large crowd at Lollapalooza as well.
This is a classic old school-new school battle. Ultimately I think Rico takes it. Danny’s catalog speaks for itself but he took a backseat to the other Bruiser Brigade members this year, a rare move from such a successful solo artist. Rico’s going to put her foot on the gas and that’ll secure her the fan vote from the Chicago crowd. God knows she deserves a warm welcome after that disastrous Playboi Carti tour.
Regardless of what Rico and Danny have up their sleeves, Soundclash should be in your Wednesday night plans. Be sure to grab your tickets for Rico Nasty VS. Danny Brown at Redbull.com/soundclash, and stay tuned for a These Days ticket giveaway for your chance to attend the show for free.