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.
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published