Attorneys say rapper not responsible for safety

Attorneys for rap star Travis Scott argued in court Monday that he should be dismissed from hundreds of lawsuits filed over the deadly 2021 Astroworld festival, saying he was not responsible for safety planning and watching for possible dangers at the Houston event.

But attorneys for relatives of one of the 10 people killed during a massive crowd surge at the festival said Scott ignored safety concerns and threatened to release online the personal information of anyone who would cancel the event over safety concerns.

Stephen Brody, an attorney for Scott, said the rap star remains “devastated” and “heartbroken” by the events of Nov. 5, 2021, when authorities and festival organizers tried to shut down the show and stop the surge.

The families of the 10 people who died, as well as hundreds who were injured, sued Scott and Live Nation — the festival's promoter — as well as dozens of other individuals and entities.

During a court hearing before state District Judge Kristen Hawkins, Brody argued that Scott and his touring and production company, XX Global, should be dismissed from the case. They said his duties and responsibilities related to the festival were outlined as performing, marketing, curating talent for the event, providing for his own personal security and approving all creative matters involving the festival.

“And that's it,” Brody said.

During the concert, Scott, whose real name is Jacques Bermon Webster II, did stop his performance four times to check on issues he saw in the crowd, including some people who appeared to be in distress, according to Brody.

“Did he have show pause authority?” Hawkins asked Brody.

He could stop performing and wait to see if an issue of concern had been resolved, Brody said.