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.

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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.

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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.

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