Travis Scott Takes The Breakfast Club

12.9.21

It has been a month since the tragedy of Astroworld, Travis Scott’s festival in Houston which ended in a massive serge taking the lives of ten concert-goers, and injuring many. Within the month, Hulu already created a documentary, and took it down almost immediately due to immense backlash on the insensitivity of how soon it was released after the series of events that has occurred. Now, Travis speaks up himself on what went down at Astroworld, in a one-on-one interview with the Breakfast Club’s Charlamagne the God.

Of course, this conversation is super sensitive. Many are still grieving, some angry, confused, and some hoping that this is not the end to their favorite artist. Travis suggests throughout the interview that he has made it his new-found-duty to ensure that this never happens again at concerts in the future. What that looks like? He is not completely sure at the moment, but shares he is dedicated to brainstorming ways to fix this, and a few ideas of how we could, with the right technology and sources.

Charlamagne the God is not one to beat around the bush or be super sensitive to anyone’s feelings, but he did good here. He ensured that Travis was comfortable, asking the extremely hard questions that we all want to know the answers to. He made a point to share that the families who lost their loves ones will never forgive you, but what do you want to say to them. He asked if he has lost the urge to perform, and if he thinks he’ll continue to loose headliner positions due to the events that went down at Astroworld.

While being in the hott seat, Travis was prepared and gave the best answers he could. He understands why families denied his offer to help out financially with what they are going through. Though, he states that he will be there for those families internally, not just during their mourning. Travis stated that he will never fully be comfortable with himself, if he does not receive forgiveness for the fans, but performing is his sense of healing is through performing, so he does not plan on quitting.

However, prior to going back at it right away, he wants his community to heal and pray, and he wants to find better resources for concert safety. When asked if his concert was too big, he responded other concerts are larger. When asked if his music was provoking Satin-ism and violent behavior, he said it is not supposed to. While this interview can be picked apart to it’s core, there does need to be more precaution taken moving forward at all large events.

Travis mentioned the ideas of wristbands at the festivals. They give you access to certain areas on the grounds, but they should be able to do much more. Technology in our phones can read our heart rates, if we have enough oxygen, etc. They can read our locations, and potentially can tell if we have gone too far. Travis suggests looking into tech that can help protect concert-goers a bit more, which I think is interesting. There are certain devices meant to save you from being kidnapped, drugged, and check your current state of help. This could be a really smart idea for large events to begin to considering, partnering with these companies to ensure better safety for their attendees. While it would likely raise the cost of these things, it seems like it could be life-saving.

At the same time, staff need to be trained and on board to do their jobs at all costs. Travis mentioned that when he was on stage, he was told the show was ending, after Drake came out. So, instead of ending when they knew things were getting ugly, they wanted to get their surprise guest out, then end the show. This should not have happened knowing what was going on.

I believe Travis’ interview will get picked a part from people on all ends of the spectrum based on their own personal feelings. For me, I think he answered some things quite well, others, I think he could have offered a bit more. I do wish there was a bit more of solution prepared for this interview, on how we will fix this issue moving forward, but I do believe that it will take time, and that it was important for Travis to speak on behalf of the events now, so that he could begin just a bit to move on from the tragedy.

Personally, I did not want to speak on this event when it was happening, because I believe in letting everyone grieve on their own timelines. I still do not believe that this event deserves any sort of two-sense or opinions on whose fault it was, how it happened, or any opinions other than, this was awful and I hope the families somehow find peace again. However, I find it extremely important that this event is being taken seriously to the highest level, and that Travis for his shows, as well as all festivals and concerts, find new precautions and standards to take so that this never happens again.

The interview is available for viewing on Charlamagne The God’s YouTube Channel.