Thursday, May 2, 2024

Tragedy Pays: Rapper Travis Scott Sells Half Million New Albums After Beating Rap for 10 Astroworld Deaths, Thousands of Injuries

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Things have really worked out for Travis Scott, the rapper who’s involved with the Kardashians. (He’s scored two children with Kylie Jenner.)

His latest album sold nearly 500,000 copies last week and finished at number 1. It’s one of the highest single week sales of the year.

Apparently, his fans were able to separate the man from his real life. In 2021, Scott hosted the Astroworld fest in Houston. There was a riot. Ten people died, including a child, and thousands were injured.

But Texas justice prevailed. The DA was unable to pin Astroworld on Scott, who avoided an indictment and any prosecution. Whew!

Nevertheless, the families of the killed and injured are suing him. They’ve probably not bought his new album.

The DA, named Kim Ogg, didn’t sound too upset. “It is tragic that 10 innocent people were killed while trying to enjoy an evening of music and entertainment, something many of us do routinely and without a second thought to our safety. But a tragedy isn’t always a crime, and not every death is a homicide,” Ogg said in a statement. “This grand jury’s determination has no impact on the many civil lawsuits pending.”

Robert Hilliard, an attorney for 9 year old Ezra Blount’s family, will also not be be buying the album. He said in a statement in June when Scott skipped responsibility:

“There is clear culpability and gross negligent conduct committed by these various civil defendants directly resulting in deaths and serious injury,” Hilliard said. “Though disappointed the grand jury declined to find this conduct was criminal, Ezra Blount’s family will continue and wait for their day in court. A Harris County jury, once given an opportunity to see the damning evidence leading up to causing this tragedy, may very well return a record Texas verdict against these defendants.”

The top 10 albums include Scott and a couple from Morgan Wallen, who was caught using the N word on a video two years ago and was rewarded with huge sales. The number 1 single is still Jason Aldean’s racist song, “Try That in a Small Town.” The music business has surrendered all editorial control.

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
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