Astroworld tragedy: 5 things to know about rapper Travis Scott
HOUSTON – Friday night’s deadly crowd surge at the Astroworld festival in Houston is the latest high-profile incident surrounding rapper Travis Scott.
Scott, 30, is known for chaotic mosh pits, crowd surfing and stage diving, The New York Times reported. He has been called “one of contemporary hip-hop’s most energetic and disruptive live performers” and often encourages rowdy behavior, according to the newspaper.
Scott founded the Astroworld Festival in 2018, Variety reported
Here are some things to know about Scott.
What’s in a name?
Travis Scott’s given name is Jacques Webster II and he was born April 30, 1991, in Houston, according to Forbes. He grew up in the southwest Houston suburb of Missouri City and was known as “Jack” or “Junior.” Scott drew part of his stage name from his Uncle Travis, the magazine reported.
>> Astroworld tragedy: Ages of 8 people killed range from 14 to 27
Musical background
Scott’s father was an amateur musician and taught him how to play drums, according to Forbes. He played for several rap bands while he attended high school. Scott attended the University of Texas at San Antonio, but his love for music trumped education and he dropped out and moved to Los Angeles.
Scott’s musical mentor was Kanye West, according to Rolling Stone.
Scott hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2018 with “Sicko Mode” from his “Astroworld” album. The song spent 17 weeks on Billboard’s charts before reaching the top spot on Dec. 8, 2018. The song stayed on the Billboard charts for 52 weeks.
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Jenner connection
Scott’s performance at Coachella in 2017 caught the attention of Kylie Jenner. Her sister, Kim Kardashian, had married West three years later, according to Rolling Stone. Days after they met, Jenner joined Scott while he was touring. In February 2018 their daughter, Stormi Webster, was born, Forbes reported.
Jenner attended Friday’s concert but was not hurt, People reported. Jenner and Scott are currently expecting their second baby together, the magazine reported.
Shoe salesman
Scott has dabbled in footwear, working with Nike and its Air Jordan line on a sub-brand that he created called Cactus Jack, according to Forbes. Last year, the magazine reported that a pair of Travis Scott Nikes were popular on StockX, a site that sells luxury clothes. The shoes retail for $200 but buyers on StockX have paid up to 400% more.
“For the next generation of consumer, he has tremendous influence,” StockX CEO Scott Cutler told Forbes in 2019. “He’s advanced into the stratosphere within a few short years.”
>> Attendees at deadly Astroworld festival describe chaos at event
Legal matters
Scott was sued by a concergoer in 2017, who claimed he was paralyzed and had to use a wheelchair after being pushed from a third-story balcony and then dragged onstage during an event in New York City, the Times reported.
Kyle Green sued Scott and his manager, the concert promoter and Strike Force Protective Service, a security company, according to the newspaper. Green’s lawyer said the defendants were guilty of “negligence, carelessness and recklessness.”
The case was delayed after one of the parties in the case went bankrupt, and was then delayed further by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Times reported. Live testimony is scheduled to begin in the case on Dec. 7, and Green and Scott are expected to testify.
Travis Scott attends the Dior Homme Menswear Spring Summer 2022 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 25, 2021 in Paris, France.
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 25: Rapper Travis Scott attends the Dior Homme Menswear Spring Summer 2022 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 25, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 08: Travis Scott is seen in walking out of a hotel in SoHo on July 8, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: Travis Scott performs during 2021 Astroworld Festival at NRG Park on November 05, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Erika Goldring/WireImage)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: Travis Scott performs during 2021 Astroworld Festival at NRG Park on November 05, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Erika Goldring/WireImage)
ATLANTA, GA – JUNE 12: Young Thug, Travis Scott and Lil Duke attend a Birthday Experience "The Playas Room" Brought to You By Gunna at Gold Room on June 12, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 15: Travis Scott and daughter Stormi Webster seen in Manhattan on June 15, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Robert Kamau/GC Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 12: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white) Travis Scott performs during the 2019 Rolling Loud music festival at Citi Field on October 12, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 24: (L-R) Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott perform onstage during the 2019 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/WireImage)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 25: Rapper Travis Scott and designer Kim Jones pose backstage with models after the Dior Homme Menswear Spring Summer 2022 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on June 25, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 09: Travis Scott performs in concert during his second annual Astroworld Festival at NRG Park on November 9, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MARCH 06: Travis Scott attends a Day Party Hosted by Travis Scott at Allure Gentlemen’s Club on March 6, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 16: Travis Scott performs during his "Astroworld" tour at ORACLE Arena on December 16, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 12: Travis Scott performs during the 2019 Rolling Loud music festival at Citi Field on October 12, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 05: Travis Scott performs onstage during the third annual Astroworld Festival at NRG Park on November 05, 2021 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – DECEMBER 6: Travis Scott is seen performing at E11EVEN Miami during Art Week 2019 on December 6, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 23: Travis Scott performs onstage during the Bootsy Bellows x Sports Illustrated Circuit Series After Party at Austin American Statesman on October 23, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 23: Travis Scott (R) and Chase B perform onstage during the Bootsy Bellows x Sports Illustrated Circuit Series After Party at Austin American Statesman on October 23, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 15: Travis Scott is seen on Sunset Boulevard for a promo with Cacti drink on March 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by APEX/MEGA/GC Images)
MALIBU CA – MARCH 28: Travis Scott is seen at Nobu on March 28, 2021 in Malibu, California. (Photo by Photographer group/MEGA/GC Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JANUARY 25: Rapper Travis Scott performs on stage at Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena on January 25, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Andrew Chin/Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 19: Rapper, Travis Scott, during Round 2, Game 7 on June 19, 2021 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 09: Travis Scott performs in concert during his second annual Astroworld Festival at NRG Park on November 9, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Gary Miller/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 12: Travis Scott attends the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 12: Young Thug performs at Webster Hall on March 12, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 19: Travis Scott attends Brooklyn Nets v Milwaukee Bucks game at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on June 19, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – NOVEMBER 6: Artist Travis Scott smiles with James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets after a game against the Golden State Warriors on November 6, 2019 at the Toyota Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Cato Cataldo/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 24: Artist Travis Scott, talks with the media during the game on February 24, 2020 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Cato Cataldo/NBAE via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, TN – JUNE 11: Travis Scott performs in the crowd during his performance at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival on June 11, 2017 in Manchester, Tennessee. (Photo by Josh Brasted/WireImage)
