Travis Scott speaks out in 1st interview since Astroworld: 'I have a responsibility to figure out what happened'


Travis Scott has given his first interview since a deadly crowd surge at his Astroworld music festival left ten people dead.
The rapper spoke with Charlamagne tha God for an interview posted to YouTube Thursday, telling the Breakfast Club host he's trying to "wrap my head around" the tragedy. Scott was performing at the concert in Houston when the deadly crowd surge took place. But he denied hearing screams for help while he was on stage and said he wasn't aware of the details of the tragedy, including regarding the fatalities, "until minutes before" they were announced in a press conference.
"This night was just like a regular show, it felt like to me," he said. "As far as like the energy ... people didn't show up there to just be harmful. People just showed up to have a good time, and then something unfortunate happened. And I think we really just gotta figure out what that was."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
When asked if he feels a sense of responsibility for the tragedy, Scott said he has "a responsibility to figure out what happened" and to "figure out the solution," vowing to be part of an effort to make sure "this never happens again" at future concerts.
In the wake of the deadly crowd surge, Scott has been facing numerous lawsuits, and he has denied legal liability. The rapper has offered to pay for the victims' funerals, though multiple families have turned this down. He told Charlamagne tha God that was "understandable" but that he's "always going to be here to want to help them." He also said the victims' families are "owed" answers about the tragedy.
"I want them to really know that my intention wasn't to harm their family at all," Scott said. "It was for them to come and have a good experience."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
The lesser-known Elsinore fault is a risk to California
The explainer A powerful earthquake could be on the horizon
By Devika Rao, The Week US
-
'This is not an unusual story'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Scientists find hint of alien life on distant world
Speed Read NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has detected a possible signature of life on planet K2-18b
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar take top Grammys
Speed Read Beyoncé took home album of the year for 'Cowboy Carter' and Kendrick Lamar's diss track 'Not Like Us' won five awards
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
The Louvre is giving 'Mona Lisa' her own room
Speed Read The world's most-visited art museum is getting a major renovation
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US