- Travis Scott and Drake are sued for US $ 750 million following the tragedy at the Astroworld festival.
- A crowd movement during the Travis Scott show left 10 dead and several dozen injured on November 5.
- While the show was declared unsafe, Travis Scott continued to sing, claiming he was unaware of what was going on in the crowd.
A US $ 750 million lawsuit has been filed against singer Travis Scott following the tragedy that left 10 people dead and several dozen injured at the Astroworld festival. Canadian rapper Drake is also targeted.
• Read also: 7 artists (other than Travis Scott) who didn’t hesitate to stop a gig to help fans
• Read also: Astroworld Festival: Drake (finally) breaks the silence and reacts to the tragedy
A crowd movement during a performance by Travis Scott, on November 5, in Houston, is at the origin of the tragedy. In addition to being the headliner of Astroworld, he was the producer of the festival named after his album released in 2018.
Among the plaintiffs is the family of Axel Acosta, who died during the concert. Me Tony Buzbee, the family lawyer, explains that the 21-year-old suffered cardiac arrest after being crushed in the crowd “with such force that he could not breathe”. According to him, the young man’s death is the result of “disgusting negligence”.
“Certainly, neither Travis Scott nor his partners […] were concerned enough about Alex Acosta or the other festival-goers to make the slightest effort to keep them safe, ”the legal document reads.
Travis Scott careless?
Several people criticize Travis Scott for continuing to sing for 37 minutes after the show was declared dangerous, according to Buzzfeed reports. The rapper continues to claim that he didn’t realize the gravity of what was going on in the crowd during his performance.
The amount of the lawsuit was determined based on the physical and mental damage suffered by the families and the victims. The lawyer stresses, however, that “no amount of money can give them life again”.
In addition to this lawsuit, hundreds of complaints were filed by families of victims and festival-goers.
• Read also: 7 artists (other than Travis Scott) who didn’t hesitate to stop a gig to help fans
Drake also sued
Canadian rapper Drake, who joined Travis Scott on stage on November 5, is also mentioned in the suit. He would have entered the scene after the arrival of the first emergency vehicle to treat injured spectators.
AFP Photo
Apple Music, Epic Records, Scott’s Cactus Jack Records, Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group and Live Nation (which hosted the event) are cited in the lawsuit. According to Tony Buzbee, these companies, which were able to profit from the popularity of the Astroworld festival, must be held judicially responsible.
He doesn’t feel responsible
Last Friday, a spokesperson for Travis Scott said the singer “was not responsible” for the tragedy, but wanted to be “responsible for the solution”.
AFP Photo
Shortly after, the rapper announced that he would pay for the funerals of the victims. He will also pay for therapy sessions for survivors.
Affected contracts
On Monday, Nike postponed the release of a pair of shoes created in collaboration with Travis Scott. This decision was taken “out of respect for those affected by the tragic events at the Astroworld festival”.
Photo Derrick Salters, WENN
W Magazine has also decided not to promote online its upcoming edition starring the rapper and his wife, Kylie Jenner. The edition of the magazine, on the cover of which the couple appears, had already been printed at the time of the tragedy.