Travis Scott maintains Astroworld fan security was not his duty as performer

Rapper Travis Scott has maintained that it wasn’t his duty to organise the security of followers on the 2021 Astroworld Competition and that he’s only a performing artist, not a security or safety skilled. He argues that this could vindicate him within the many ongoing lawsuits. 

After the 2020 version was cancelled as a result of Covid-19 pandemic, Astroworld Competition 2021 was held at NRG Park in Houston, Texas. It was initially scheduled for November fifth and sixth, however the second day was cancelled after ten individuals died, and over 300 individuals have been handled for accidents following a crowd crush on the primary evening. The Harris County medical expert’s officers declared the reason for dying to be compressive asphyxiation in an unintentional method as a result of crush that occurred after Scott took to the stage. 

Since that fateful evening, roughly 300 fits have been filed regarding the tragedy at Astroworld, with the bulk placing the blame on Scott, Reside Nation, promoters, the venue itself and a number of other safety corporations. Scott additionally established Venture Heal within the aftermath.

In June final 12 months, a Texas grand jury declined to indict Scott or anybody related to the present. Nonetheless, in September, the rapper partook in an eight-hour deposition and confronted questions on what occurred. 

On the time, his spokesperson, Ted Anastasiou, stated the musician was totally cooperating with the method, sustaining: “Travis Scott’s deposition is typical legal procedure. What is not typical is how the media continues to focus on him despite being cleared of any wrongdoing by extensive government investigations, including by the Houston Police Department”.

On March twenty eighth 2024, Billboard obtained court docket paperwork through which Scott maintains that he was only a performer and had no duty to take care of the security or safety on the pageant, as that wasn’t his remit. The papers, which have been filed by his Cactus Jack attorneys, headed by Daniel Petrocelli, state that the rapper believes the blame lies with the occasion organisers and venue workers. 

“Like any other adrenaline-inducing diversion, music festivals must balance exhilaration with safety and security—but that balance is not the job of performing artists, even those involved in promoting and marketing performances,” Petrocelli argues. “Which only makes sense: Performing artists, even those who engage in certain promotional activities, have no inherent expertise or specialised knowledge in concert safety measures, venue security protocols, or site-design.”

Persevering with: “When, during festival planning, concerns arose about the risk of a stampede occurring in the festival site, the Scott defendants supported festival organizers’organisers’ efforts to eliminate that risk by agreeing to remove certain rides and other attractions at the site. Then, when the Scott defendants were told to end the show after Mr. Scott’s guest performer finished performing, they did just that—ending the show as directed.”

Elsewhere, Drake’s attorneys filed a movement earlier this month to take away his identify from the many Astroworld lawsuits, stating he was “not involved” in planning. Filed on March eighth, it claims that the Canadian musician was solely performing when the tragedy unfolded and, accordingly, shouldn’t be liable. A ruling is but to be made.