Travis Scott, the artist who was cleared of criminal charges in relation to the tragic crowd crush at his Astroworld Festival in November 2021, is now facing new scrutiny regarding his decision to continue performing during the chaos. A recent report released by the Houston Police Department reveals a significant deal between Scott and Apple, in which the tech giant agreed to pay him $4.5 million under certain conditions, one of which was the completion of the concert.
According to the police report, Apple's involvement in the event was a last-minute decision aimed at helping to alleviate some of the financial strain on Scott and his organization. The partnership was intended to mitigate the debt incurred from constructing the elaborate mountain stage. However, the late addition of a new partner may have led to logistical disagreements, such as camera placement.
Following the tragedy, there was a public debate about whether Scott should have canceled the concert in light of the unfolding crisis. Some videos from the event suggested that Scott may have observed issues within the crowd, but the show continued. Scott's girlfriend, Kylie Jenner, later claimed that they were unaware of the extent of the turmoil until after the concert, and if they had known, they would have stopped the music immediately.
The newly revealed police report sheds light on Scott's financial incentive to proceed with the concert but does not necessarily invalidate his claim that he did not fully perceive or understand the severity of the crowd's distress. While this revelation may tarnish Scott's image for some, it does not definitively change the circumstances.
Despite the aftermath of the tragic incident, Scott continues to focus on his music career. His latest album, Utopia, is expected to debut at the top of the Billboard 200 chart, marking his third No. 1 album. The album's tracks are also anticipated to chart on the Hot 100, further contributing to Scott's overall success.
In conclusion, the recent developments surrounding Travis Scott's Astroworld Festival shed light on a potential financial incentive for him to continue performing during the tragic crowd crush. While this raises questions about his decision-making, it does not change the fact that he was cleared of criminal charges. As Scott faces the aftermath of the incident, his musical career remains on track, with his latest album expected to achieve significant success.