Rapper Travis Scott Incited Stampede At Lollapalooza, Pleads Guilty

Rapper Travis Scott incited a stampede at Lollapalooza earlier this summer. Today, Scott, whose real name is Jacques Webster, pled guilty in court to charges of reckless conduct during his concert, reports Rolling Stone.

Scott, arriving late for his one-hour gig, was only on stage for a few minutes before inciting the stampede. He coaxed the crowd to push through the barricades and move closer to and onto the stage.

He got the crowd going almost immediately after he started his performance, yelling, “We want rage! We want rage!””

The New York Daily News reported that when the security team members tried to do their job by keeping the audience back, Scott was not happy.

“Everybody in a green shirt, get the f— back! I want chaos! Don’t you kick them off; don’t you kick them off. Middle finger up to security right now!”

Many fans were able to get up onto the stage with Travis Scott before the concert management cut the music off. The organizers required all of the audience members to get off the stage before the concert could continue.

Scott complained to the crowd.

“I wanna finish performing. We can start over, everybody just get down.”

By then it was too late. The production was closed down, and Scott fled the area. The police arrested him shortly after.

Although initial reports stated no one was hurt in the chaos, later reports indicate that a 15-year-old girl was indeed hurt by being trampled.

Travis is to remain under court supervision for a year for inciting the stampede. No one representing him was available to comment on the situation, reports Rolling Stone.

Despite this recent incident, Scott has had a good year. In September, he released his debut album, Rodeo. Many top-level performers contributed, including Justin Bieber, 2 Chainz, Chief Keef, The Weeknd, and Future. He had help with production from Kanye West, who can be seen with Scott on the eerie video for the song “Piss on Your Grave.”

Scott, rumored to be Rihanna’s love interest, will open for the North American leg of her Anti world tour, which starts February 26, 2016.

The touring music festival Lollapalooza first began in 1991. The event was created by Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell for the band’s farewell tour.

The bands that were originally featured were mostly alternative and grunge performers, as well as a few rap artists. Crowd participation with mosh pits and crowd surfing was popular.

A key concept to the show was the inclusion of non-musical attractions, such as performers, art displays, virtual reality games, and tables for political and non-profit groups to promote their views.

It toured America for six more years before taking a break, starting up again in 2003. At that time, Farrell set up a new schedule for the recently reconvened Jane’s Addiction, including 30 different venues in July and August. High ticket prices discouraged attendance, and the 2004 tour was canceled due to weak ticket sales.

The event was held as a two-day event the following year in Chicago, including 70 acts on five stages. It was successful despite the record-breaking heat.

Lollapalooza has been held in Chicago every year since that time, with a contract being signed to keep it there through 2018.

In 2011, the event expanded to offer a festival in Chile. In following years, it went to Brazil, Argentina, and Germany. It was scheduled to play in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 2013, but was canceled with no reasons given.

Over 160,000 music fans now attend the two- or three-day event in Chicago, Illinois. Lollapalooza will be four days long in July of next year, celebrating the event’s 25th anniversary.

Let’s hope during that time everyone stays safe and no one else incites a stampede. Do you think Rapper Travis Scott should be asked back?

[Photo By Robin Marchant/Getty Images]