By: Stacy M. Brown/ NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Travis Scott’s Astroworld festival now has led to 9 deaths and multiple lawsuits. But the ill-fated event still has many asking who should be held responsible. Rumors have persisted as to what happened, and questions linger about what safety measures were in place for the 50,000 attendees. Some have taken direct aim at Scott, with renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump announcing he has filed 93 lawsuits on behalf of more than 200 clients. “Live Nation is the biggest concert promoter in the world and, yes, Travis Scott is on the lawsuit,” Crump declared at a news conference on Friday, November 12. “People who lost their lives deserve answers and we’re not going to let anyone off the hook,” Crump demanded. Scott maintains that he had no clue that something was amiss. Dijan Isaacs, a 31-year-old who attended the concert and who Crump represents, described the chaos. “People were grabbing at me, and I was just trying to pull people up,” Isaacs recalled at the Crump news conference. “I learned that two people next to me died.” However, Isaac said he noticed that Scott did display his concern for the crowd. For some, that just wasn’t enough. “Everybody in that venue, starting from the artist on down, has a responsibility for public safety,” Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña demanded. James Crawford, the co-founder and CEO of the e-commerce platform DealDrop said regardless of security measures, Scott shoulders a big part of the blame. “If the performing artist has succeeded in captivating the audience, it is not difficult for them to persuade certain elements of the crowd to do anything they want them to,” Crawford remarked. “Artists do have the capability to induce an almost trance-like state in the audience, and with proper manipulation, this can easily become a form of mind control. In these situations, the artist must accept responsibility for the effect on their followers.” Authorities said the show continued for at least 40 minutes after injuries were first reported. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner told journalists that he met […]
Blame game continues as lawsuits pile up in aftermath of Travis Scott Astroworld Festival fiasco Read More »
By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia Promoters billed the event as the “World Series” of festivals, but the night ended with the dreadful stench of death filling the venue. No, that’s not a reference to Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival, which left nine people dead and several others wounded after the large crowd swarmed toward the stage, causing the trampling of many concertgoers. About 42 years ago, on December 3, 1979, rock band The Who headlined a festival at Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati with about 19,000 screaming fans in attendance. As concert time neared, fans revved up, preparing a race to get as close to their music idols as possible – many seats were unassigned. As the crowd pushed toward the entrance, the surge caused 11 deaths and at least 26 injuries. While Scott continues to receive criticism for not stopping the show quick enough, The Who played their entire set even as some fans lay dying. Reportedly, authorities and promoters didn’t inform the group of the deaths until they left the stage. About 30 years ago, hip hop stars Heavy D and Puff Daddy – known today as Diddy – held a heavily promoted show at New York’s City College. Run-DMC, Big Daddy Kane, Boyz II Men, and Jodeci were among the headliners at the December 28, 1991, show. The popularity of each of the groups led promoters to oversell the small gymnasium with more than 3,000 people holding tickets – another 5,000 reportedly showed up hoping to gain entrance. The crowd entered the school’s lobby and reportedly rushed down a staircase that led to a staging area, causing a massive crushing of people, leaving eight dead and about 30 others wounded. “It does not take an Einstein to know that young people attending a rap concert camouflaged as a ‘celebrity basketball game,’ who have paid as much as $20 a ticket, would not be very happy and easy to control if they were unable to gain admission to the event because it was oversold,” New York state Judge Louis C. Benza wrote in a 1999
Concert disasters like Astroworld have occurred far too often Read More »
It’s always good to see when celebrities give back to the community and Houston’s Travis Scott has really been going above and beyond. The rapper’s Astroworld Festival kicked off over the weekend and, while in town for the event, Scott made his way around town doing good deeds. On Wednesday, Scott presented a campus garden to the students at Young Elementary School in the Sunnyside community. He said he was inspired to do this because of the garden his grandmother, Miss Sealie Terrell, grew during his childhood. Terrell proudly joined her grandson for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “We grew up not too far from here on Rosehaven. She used to have a garden in her backyard that looked similar to this,” Scott said. “All she did was make flowers for people around the neighborhood and for family and mostly for anyone that asked, so it’s kinda crazy that we’re able to bring this to the elementary school and allow kids to have that same experience.” The rapper’s nonprofit Cactus Jack Foundation presented the garden in partnership with the Houston Independent School District. According to Scott, Cactus Jack Gardens will give students the opportunity to learn about agriculture, gardening, food and nutrition. “Hopefully, you know, it gives these kids some sort of inspirational thing to do every day, and kind of help them look forward to the future,” Scott said. The principal of the school says the garden will be used as a teaching tool to promote healthy eating, showing students there are more yummy options out there instead of just fast food. The HISD Nutrition Services’ Get Growing Houston program teamed up with Scott’s Cactus Jack Foundation to install gardens at Alcott, Bastian, Rucker and Wesley elementary schools, Attucks and M.C. Williams middle schools and Washington High School. The community garden is one of the many stops Scott made before his two-day concert at NRG Park. His foundation also presented a new basketball court in Sunnyside and on Thursday, Scott held a celebrity softball game at Minute Maid Park. About Travis Scott: “Travis Scott” was born Jacques Bermon Webster II on
Travis Scott gives back Read More »
NEW ORLEANS, LA – November 14, 2019 — New Orleans rapper Dee-1 sat down for Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards in a historic pre-election one-on-one interview. This interview was a first in Louisiana history for a hip hop artist to publicly interview the state’s governor. The 30-minute interview, was held at the Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge and focused on the topics of healthcare, criminal justice reform and education. Dee-1 says, “This interview was a huge step forward for this state. To be able to chop it up with the governor about real issues that deeply affect my community and truly understand his vision for the next four years was major. I am honored to have had this opportunity to educate and empower members of my community and my fanbase so that they can feel confident about choosing the best candidate to lead the state of Louisiana for the next four years.” Over the last several years, influencers within the hip hop world have become increasingly more vocal about the power of the political process. Dee-1 joins the likes of artists such as Killer Mike, Jay-Z, Travis Scott, Beyonce, Diddy and others who have publicly become politically engaged. The presence of hip hop in the political process has opened the eyes of many within urban communities across the nation who may not have otherwise been aware of the importance of these elections and how directly they impact their communities. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards will face Republican opponent Eddie Rispone in the runoff election on November 16th. Edwards, a moderate Democrat, was first elected in 2015 and was facing a challenge from two Republicans, Rispone and Representative Ralph Abraham, who represents Louisiana’s fifth congressional district. Louisiana is one of three states with a gubernatorial election this fall, the other two of which are Kentucky and Mississippi. The entire Dee-1 & Governor John Bel Edwards interview can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnik3AjIEu8&feature=youtu.be ABOUT DEE-1: If Tupac and Lauryn Hill had a son, it would be Dee-1. He is truly the voice of a generation, and has skyrocketed from doing local talent shows
New Orleans Rapper Dee-1 Interviews Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards Read More »
October 16, 2023, HOUSTON, TX – Congressional Candidate Amanda Edwards has raised over $1 million in less than 4 months, a substantial sum that helps bolster the frontrunner status of the former At-Large Houston City Council Member in her bid for U.S. Congress. Edwards raised over $433,000 in Q3 of 2023. This strong Q3 report expands on a successful Q2 where Edwards announced just 11 days after declaring her candidacy that she had raised over $600,000. With over $829,000 in cash-on-hand at the end of the September 30th financial reporting period, Edwards proves again that she is the clear frontrunner in the race. “I am beyond grateful for the strong outpouring of support that will help me to win this race and serve the incredible people of the 18th Congressional District,” said Edwards. “We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s trajectory, and we need to send servant leaders to Congress who can deliver the results the community deserves. The strong support from our supporters will help us to cultivate an 18th Congressional District where everyone in it can thrive.” Edwards said. “Amanda understands the challenges that the hard-working folks of the 18th Congressional District face because she has never lost sight of who she is or where she comes from; she was born and raised right here in the 18th Congressional District of Houston,” said Kathryn McNiel, spokesperson for Edwards’ campaign. Edwards has been endorsed by Higher Heights PAC, Collective PAC, Krimson PAC, and the Brady PAC. She has also been supported by Beto O’Rourke, among many others. About Amanda: Amanda is a native Houstonian, attorney and former At-Large Houston City Council Member. Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD. Edwards earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Edwards practiced law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP before entering public service. Edwards is a life-long member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. For more information, please visit www.edwardsforhouston.com
As September 13th rolls around, we extend our warmest birthday wishes to the creative powerhouse, Tyler Perry, a man whose indomitable spirit and groundbreaking work have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. With his multifaceted talents as an actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director, Tyler Perry has not only entertained but also inspired audiences worldwide, particularly within the African-American community, where his influence and role have been nothing short of powerful. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1969, Tyler Perry’s journey to stardom was a path riddled with adversity. Raised in a turbulent household, he found refuge in writing, using it as a therapeutic outlet. This period of introspection gave rise to one of his most iconic creations, Madea, a vivacious, no-nonsense grandmother who would later become a beloved figure in Perry’s works, offering a unique blend of humor and profound life lessons. Despite facing numerous challenges, including rejection and financial struggles, Perry’s determination and unwavering belief in his abilities propelled him forward. In 1992, he staged his first play, “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” which, although met with limited success, was a pivotal moment in his career. Unfazed by initial setbacks, Perry continued to hone his craft, and by 1998, he had successfully produced a string of stage plays that showcased his storytelling prowess.
Calling all teenage student-athletes! If you have dreams of playing college soccer and wish to represent an HBCU, the HBCU ID Camp is your golden opportunity. From 8 am to 5 pm on November 11-12, Houston Sports Park will transform into a hub for aspiring male and female soccer players. Coaches from HBCUs across the nation will be present to evaluate, scout, and offer valuable feedback. Moreover, they might even spot the next soccer prodigy to join their collegiate soccer programs. This camp is not just about honing your soccer skills but also a chance to connect with the HBCU soccer community. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom, which is crucial for a college athlete. The HBCU ID Camp is an excellent platform to network with coaches, learn from experienced athletes, and take the first steps toward your college soccer journey. To secure your spot at this incredible event, don’t forget to register [here](insert registration link). Space is limited to 120 participants, so make sure to reserve your place before it’s too late. It’s time to turn your dreams of playing college soccer into a reality.
