Travis Scott Is Launching a New Safety Initiative After His Astroworld Tragedy
Rapper Travis Scott came under fire in 2021 after his Astroworld music festival resulted in the death of 10 people. Now, Scott is hoping to pay it forward with a new initiative designed to promote concert safety.
Travis Scott’s 2021 Astroworld turned deadly
Since 2018, the annual Astroworld Festival has taken over Scott’s hometown of Houston, Texas. The 2021 edition of the festival was a highly-anticipated return after the 2020 festival was canceled due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Throughout the festival’s first day, festivalgoers began rushing barricades and crowding into tight spaces — so tight that some people were left unable to breathe, and others were left trampled underneath people’s feet.
The festival turned deadly after Scott took the stage to close out the first night. Eight people died that night, with two others dying in the hospital afterward due to complications.
Travis Scott launched Project HEAL in response to Astroworld
Scott has laid low following the festival in November 2021, and emerged in March 2022 with a statement on his Instagram about a new project he’s been working on.
“Over the past few months I’ve been taking the time and space to grieve, reflect and do my part to heal my community,” he said. “Most importantly, I want to use my resources and platform moving forward towards actionable change. This will be a lifelong journey for me and my family.”
“While it’s easy for corporations and institutions to stay in the shadows, I feel as a leader in my community, I need to step up in times of need,” he continued. “My team and I created Project HEAL to take much-needed action towards supporting real solutions that make all events the safest spaces they can possibly be. I will always honor the victims of the Astroworld tragedy who remain in my heart forever.”
“Giving back and creating opportunities for the youth is something I’ve always done and will continue to do as long as I have the chance,” he concluded. “This program will be a catalyst to real change and I can’t wait to introduce the rest of the technology and ideas we’ve been working on. See you all so soon.”
Details remain light on what Project HEAL will entail, but a statement on its website speaks about how it will make sure nothing like Astroworld 2021 ever happens again. “Project HEAL is a multi-tier initiative dedicated to addressing challenges facing today’s youth, especially those from marginalized and at-risk communities,” the site read.
Project HEAL will provide scholarships and more
The Project HEAL site details just how it will help people move forward. “In conjunction with [Scott’s] Cactus Jack Foundation, Project HEAL unites initiatives ranging from academic scholarships, free mental health resources, a creative design center, and a first-ever, tech-driven solution for event safety,” it said. “These efforts, independently and collectively, aim to solve challenges and overcome issues impacting the youth community.”
Among the first round of initiatives, Project HEAL is behind is an HBCU scholarship fund, mental health resources, and even a conference with US mayors about safety-driven solutions for live events.
