Theo Rose vs. Puya: the show that will set the stage on fire at Red Bull SoundClash 2025

The 2025 edition of Romania’s most anticipated music battle is just around the corner! For the seventh time, Red Bull SoundClash will bring face to face two of the biggest names in the Romanian music scene: Theo Rose vs. Puya, on May 29 at Romexpo, Bucharest. The winner? Whoever earns the loudest cheers from the crowd! As someone who knows the event inside out from all the previous editions, Adrian Despot will once again take the role of MC, while ZDA will be in charge of the DJ booth. Early Bird tickets are available now. Check out the teaser here.

Two stages, face to face, four intense rounds, and a decibel meter that shows no mercy: on May 29, Theo Rose and Puya will battle for the crowd’s applauses! He’s bringing the hip-hop straight from Sălăjan, she’s bringing her balkan-pop vibes — different styles, same wild energy, and armies of fans. The two step into the arena with genuine camaraderie and fierce determination, ready to fight for the trophy of the seventh edition of Red Bull SoundClash Romania.

Theo Rose: “I discovered Puya during his La Familia time, with ‘Foame de bani’. I was young, and I used to sing along with my brother, verse by verse. He has a very strong personality, an articulate, confident, and honest artist. We met a few years ago for a collaboration that never happened, but now I understand why. Our time together is now, at Red Bull SoundClash, an event I’ve followed over the years: I liked the idea of competition and at the same time collaboration between artists. I really enjoyed the performances of Vama & Killa Fonic – ‘Niciun glonț nu doare cât dragostea’ and Irina Rimes – ‘Ielele’. For me and my band, it’s a perfect opportunity to play and put our creativity to the test. Moreover, it’s a chance to measure our progress against a giant of the rap music scene in Romania. Puya, I hope that in the end, you’ll be just as proud as I am that we fought this battle. Thank you for accepting the challenge!”

Puya: “Theo Rose has climbed all the steps to get here, and they haven’t been few. She’s genuine, from the people, and very talented; she clearly worked incredibly hard to reach the place she’s at. People think, ‘look, Theo Rose became successful from that one song,’ because that’s what everyone believes, that success comes from a single song. But people don’t know how many other songs she released and how many years she worked without anything significant happening. She is the perfect example of an artist who worked hard to get where she is today. Red Bull SoundClash is an interesting competition with a knowledgeable audience, one that loves music in general and can understand all the changes happening on stage. For me, it’s a great opportunity to try new things I wouldn’t have otherwise. In 2023, I was the wildcard for the Vama band, and I found the whole show interesting, but I especially liked the reinterpretations of Depeche Mode’s Personal Jesus. I believe a competition always brings something positive to music, because that’s when great things happen. Theo, I wish you good luck, and I truly hope we can make the crowd cheer so loud the microphone flies into the air!”

On stage, Theo Rose truly shines. She is famous for the sincerity and passion with which she creates her artistic moments. Chameleonic, with a rapidly rising career, she brings to the table a musical style that ranges from turbo-folk and Balkan music to jazz and pop. With hits like “Nu mă duc la club” (“I Don’t Go to the Club”), “Noaptea ne fură iubiri” (“The Night Steals Our Loves”), and “A venit poliția” (“The Police Came”), all of which have performed notably in charts and on streaming platforms, she has solidified her formidable position in the local music industry. Collaborations with Smiley (“Ultimul dans” / “The Last Dance”), Irina Rimes (“Stinge Luminile” / “Turn Off the Lights”), MIRA (“Ca-n România” / “Like in Romania”), and IAN (“Sângele Frate Nu Te Face” / “Blood Doesn’t Make a Brother”) have added freshness and diversity to her repertoire. In addition to music, Theo starred in the TV series “Clanul,” and her “Pe Vechi” tour, which celebrates interwar music, debuted with two sold-out shows at Sala Palatului and continued with several performances across the country.

A prominent figure of Romanian rap, Puya started his solo career with tracks such as “Nu te grăbi” (Don’t Rush), “Muzică de tolăneală și depravare” (Music for Laziness and Depravity), alongside artists like Lora, Alex Velea, and Cabron, or “Viață nouă” (New Life). His hit “Undeva-n Balkani” with George Hora established him as the sharp voice that mocks Romanian society. The album “Romanisme II” brought tracks like “Change,” “V.I.P.,” and “Sus pe bar” (Up on the Bar). In 2013, Puya returned with “Maidanez” (Stray Dog) and the EP “Nimic nu e nou” (Nothing is New), followed by the mega-hit “Bagă bani” (Put Money In) with Don Baxter, which amassed over 19 million views. Now, the artist has launched the show “Adevărul gol-goluț” (The Bare Truth), a completely new concept in Romania and the most honest and vulnerable event of his career.

Red Bull SoundClash breaks the mold of a typical concert; it’s much more than that. It’s an intense showdown between two artistic experiences in front of an audience that decides… everything. Those who say emotion can’t be measured in decibels have never been there. The artists are actually entering a unique creative competition, played out in 4 rounds:

ROUND 1: THE COVER – The artists take turns performing the same international hit in their own style.
ROUND 2: THE TAKEOVER – One artist starts a song from their own repertoire, and the opponent picks it up halfway and continues in their own style. Then, the roles reverse for 4 songs.
ROUND 3: THE CLASH – The artists perform 3 of their own songs in 3 different musical styles.
ROUND 4: THE WILDCARD – Each contestant pulls a surprise guest from their sleeve, introducing them to the stage, which can completely change the dynamics of the final outcome.

In 2017, at the first edition of Red Bull SoundClash in Romania, CTC defeated Carla’s Dreams in a packed show. In 2018, Grasu XXL won against Loredana in a blood-pumping match. In 2019, Vița de Vie achieved an astounding draw with Subcarpați, a first-ever in the event’s global history. In 2022, Irina Rimes and Spike went viral with the electrifying moments they brought to the stage. Spike narrowly won. 2023 was a close call: the band Vama won against Killa Fonic by a hair, with a lab-score difference – 397.6 to 397.5. Last year, Connect-R defeated the band Șuie Paparude in a clash that will be hard to forget, as the pioneers of electro music raised the bar with a hypnotic performance.

For 19 years, Red Bull SoundClash has brought fans high-stakes artistic showdowns with immense emotional impact. The first edition took place in the Netherlands, and since then, it has traveled across five continents, with over 100 battles.
Red Bull SoundClash is an event that reaches its peak intensity, especially in the ring, between the two stages. Early Bird tickets are available until April 18, on https://www.redbull.com/ro-ro/events/red-bull-soundclash.

Contibutor Daria Diaconeasa

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