HOUSTON (AP) — A judge has declined to dismiss hundreds of lawsuits filed against rap star Travis Scott over his role in the deadly 2021 Astroworld festival in which 10 people were killed in a crowd surge.
State District Judge Kristen Hawkins issued a one-page order made public Wednesday denying Scott’s request to be dropped from the case.
An attorney for the family of one of the 10 people killed says Scott’s actions before and during the concert showed a “conscious disregard for safety.”
Scott’s attorneys had argued that he was responsible for creative aspects and not safety planning related to the concert on Nov. 5, 2021.
The first trial related to the lawsuits is set for May 6.
Travis Scott’s performance at the Grammys on Sunday has sparked uproar on social media, with viewers promising to “never forget Astroworld.”
The rapper performed the tracks “My Eyes,” “Fe!” and “I Know” from his latest album Utopia. The 32-year-old’s set featured a post-apocalyptic background, complete with fog and flames, with the Grammy nominee finishing his show by smashing folding chairs against the stage floor.
However, several viewers were not amused by Scott’s performance and made reference to a fatal crowd crush at one of his concerts in 2021. Eight people were killed by compression asphyxia during the musician’s Astroworld Festival that year after concert-goers swarmed towards the stage. Two more later died in hospital.
Travis Scott performs onstage during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 4, 2024. The rapper’s performance was slammed on social media. Travis Scott performs onstage during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 4, 2024. The rapper’s performance was slammed on social media. Valerie Macon/AFP
“Why does Travis Scott still have a career after astroworld. Genuinely asking,” said @goslinggrry on X, formerly Twitter.
“Still very odd to me how everyone and their mother seemingly collectively forgot all about the travis scott astroworld incident,” wrote @recklessrexha.
“Showing Travis Scott with the raging crowds after what happened at the Astroworld festival is a choice…” said Ken, while Natalie commented: “I can not believe they let him perform tonight.”
@AlliePsychic said: “NEVER FORGET ASTROWORLD.”
Newsweek has reached out to Travis Scott for comment via email.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
