9-year-old Boy Wounded at Astroworld Fest Dies

Photo Courtesy of Blount Family 

Over a week after a deadly crowd surge turned Travis Scott's Astroworld Festival into a tragedy, the death toll continues to climb for the Houston concert.

Late Sunday the family of Ezra Blount, a nine-year-old who was in a coma after being trampled during the event, announced that he passed away.

"The Blount family tonight is grieving the incomprehensible loss of their precious young son," their lawyer Ben Crump said in a statement. "This should not have been the outcome of taking their son to a concert, what should have been a joyful celebration. Ezra's death is absolutely heartbreaking. We are committed to seeking answers and justice for the Blount family. But we stand in solidarity with the family, in grief, and in prayer." 

Blount, from Dallas, was on his father Treston's shoulders during the Nov. 5, concert at NRG Park. When the killer crowd surge began shortly after 9 p.m., his father lost consciousness and Blount was trampled. The youth was on life-support for days before his passing, which made him the youngest victim of the melee to lose his life as well as moved the total death toll of the concert to 10.

I am saddened to learn of Ezra’s death this evening. Our city tonight prays for his mom, dad, grandparents, other family members and classmates at this time. They will need all of our support in the months and years to come. May God give them strength. RIP Ezra. st #AstroWorld pic.twitter.com/Ankq7FMa3l

— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) November 15, 2021

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, who has insisted that no stone will be left unturned in the search for what caused the "mass casualty incident," took to the internet to share in the family's grief and promise support from the city.

"I am saddened to learn of Ezra’s death this evening," Turner posted. "Our city tonight prays for his mom, dad, grandparents, other family members and classmates at this time. They will need all of our support in the months and years to come. May God give them strength." 

The Blount family has filed a lawsuit accusing the organizers of negligence. It is one of the more than 100 Travis Scott, Drake, Live Nation and other entities associated with the event are facing from the families of those that have died and some of the 300 reported fans that were injured. 

Astroworld Death Toll at Nine, 22-year-old Bharti Shahani Dies After Five Days in ICU

Bharti Shahani (Photo Credit GoFundMe)

Nearly a week after rapper Travis Scott's Astroworld Festival in Houston devolved into a "mass casualty event" that left eight dead and hundreds injured, the death toll continues to climb.

Bharti Shahani, a 22-year-old Texas A&M student, who had previously been declared brain dead after being injured in a deadly crowd surge that began while the singer was on stage, passed away Wednesday according to her family who spoke at a press conference earlier today. 

“She was like an angel to us,” Shahani’s father, Bhagu “Sunny” Shahani, said. “She was the head of the family, she was a very nice girl. Always calm, always listened. She had a bright future. Only thing I’ll request, to the Houstonians, to please, please make sure that she gets justice. And I don’t want somebody else’s daughter to go like this.”

Shahani attended the concert with her sister and cousin, but the trio was separated when waves of fans began surging toward the main stage. Her sister Namrata and cousin Mohit Bellani lost their phones during the event and were not able to locate Shahani, who was rushed to Houston Methodist Hospital while receiving CPR and suffered multiple heart attacks according to her family. 

Bellani told Houston's ABC affiliate that “people started toppling like dominos" during the surge.

"It was like a sinkhole. People were falling on top of each other. There were like layers of bodies on the ground, like two people thick," he said.  "We were fighting to come up to the top and breathe to stay alive.”  

According to Bellani, Shahani lost oxygen for several minutes and because of that, her brain stem got swollen to almost 90 percent.  She was given little chance to live by doctors, as she showed no sign of brain activity and had been placed on a ventilator.

A GoFundMe was set up to cover medical and other expenses for Shahani, who would have graduated in the spring with a degree in electronics systems engineering. She joins John Hilgert (14), Brianna Rodriguez (16), Jacob Jurinek (21),  Franco Patiño (21), Axel Acosta (21), Rudy Peña (23), Madison Dubiski (23) and Danish Baig (27) as those who paid the ultimate price when chaos broke out amongst the estimated crowd of more than 50,000 people that attended the concert.

She may not be the last, however. Nine-year-old Ezra Blout, who was trampled in the melee, is reportedly fighting for his life.

Astroworld Festival Mayhem Leaves 9-Year-Old in Coma

Photo Courtesy of Blount Family 

The investigation is still ongoing into what sparked the tragedy at Travis Scott's Astroworld Festival Friday, where eight people died in what authorities are calling a "mass casualty incident." It seems with each passing day, however, the repercussions continue to grow from Scott's annual hometown concert. 

Hours after Harris County authorities officially released the names of the eight victims, ranging in age from 14-27, it was revealed that a 9-year-old boy was fighting for his life after attending the event with his father. 

Harris County has released the names of the 8 AstroWorld victims:
Mirza Baig, 27, HOU.
Rodolfo Peña, 23, Laredo
Madison Dubiski, 23, Cypress
Franco Patiño, 21, Illinois
Jacob Jurinke, 20, Illinois
John Hilgert, 14, HOU
Axel Acosta Avila, 21, Washington
Brianna Rodriguez, 16, HOU

— Lina Hidalgo (@LinaHidalgoTX) November 8, 2021

According to reporting from Houston's ABC13 the victim's grandfather, Ezra Blount was on his father’s shoulders watching the concert when the two got trapped in the crowd surge. Ezra’s father collapsed, and both were trampled when the crowd surged toward the main stage.

Stefania Okolie, who broke the story for ABC13, reported that the boy was initially taken to the hospital as a John Doe separate from his father. By the time family members were able to locate him they were faced with the fact the young child was in a coma after suffering major organ damage and is in a "weakened state" with swelling of the brain. 

"How could this happen in the city of Houston?" Ezra's grandfather told Okolie. "You know, when we go to concerts and different events we expect safety and security." 

It was just the latest bit of bad news for Scott, a Houston native who has tied the concert to various charitable ventures since he launched it in 2018. The singer said he was "devastated" by what happened. He issued an apology on social media, vowing to work with authorities to get to the bottom of what happened, in addition to offering to pay the funeral costs for the deceased. 

"I'm honestly just devastated and I could never imagine anything like this happening. I'm going to do everything I can to keep you guys updated and keep you guys informed of what's going on. Love you all," the "Sicko Mode" artist said in an Instagram clip the day following the disaster. He is already facing several lawsuits along with the company behind the production, Live Nation, as well as his special guest for the event, rap superstar Drake.

Eight People Killed at Travis Scott's Astroworld Festival

In a still-developing situation, the triumphant return of Travis Scott's amusement park-themed Astroworld Festival following a one-year hiatus for Covid-19, turned into a tragedy Friday night in Houston when the crowd — estimated to have been 50,000 strong —rushed the stage at NRG Park when chaos erupted leaving eight people dead and 300 injured.

At a press conference on Friday night, Houston Fire Department Chief Samuel Peña said the trouble began at around 9 or 9:15 p.m. local time when "the crowd began to compress toward the front of the stage and that caused some panic and it started causing some injuries. People began to fall out, become unconscious and it created additional panic." 

According to Peña, that initial rush had transformed into a "mass casualty" event by 9:38 p.m. local time at and the concert's medical tent and staff was "quickly overwhelmed" by its scale. HFD dispatched 50 units and along with Harris County Emergency Services initially transported 17 people to hospitals, 11 of which were in cardiac arrest.

"I’ve been doing this for 27 years and I have never seen something like this,” Peña added Saturday after telling reporters at a follow-up press conference that authorities still don't know what caused the initial surge of the crowd up toward the stage, but the Houston Police Department is looking at video that was taken from cameras that were present there for security purposes and other reasons.

🚨🚨 Travis Scott is known for having insane concert crowds, and every time he sees a fan pass out, he immediately stops the show to get security to go help. I’m 100% sure Travis thought people were passing out and not dying until the show was over. 🚨🚨 here’s a short clip pic.twitter.com/LQtrFyjYnd

— gucci (@gucciwestx) November 6, 2021

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner confirmed that 25 people were hospitalized in total following the incident and that the ages of seven victims ranged in age between 14 and 27, while one victim's age still remains to be determined.

What happened at Astroworld Festival was a tragedy," Turner, who also called for a detailed briefing from all stakeholders, including Live Nation, said in a statement. "An estimated 50,000 people attended the event Friday night, expecting to enjoy a music concert with friends and return home safely. I extend my condolences to the families of the eight people who died and the approximately 17 people who were injured at the event. 

 

Live Nation made the call to "essentially pull the plug" on the event on Friday according to Peña, "when the situation started to escalate.” Saturday's events were also canceled by Live Nation, which posted on Twitter that it was, "Heartbroken for those lost and impacted at Astroworld last night. We will continue working to provide as much information and assistance as possible to the local authorities as they investigate the situation."

pic.twitter.com/mB0YWcsl6X

— Live Nation (@LiveNation) November 6, 2021

Scott, who launched the Astroworld Festival in 2018 with the intent to “bring back the beloved spirit and nostalgia of [iconic Houston theme park] AstroWorld, making a childhood dream of Travis’ come true," was "devastated" by Friday's outcome.

My prayers go out to the families and all those impacted by what happened at Astroworld Festival,” Scott wrote on Twitter. “Houston PD has my total support as they continue to look into the tragic loss of life.

pic.twitter.com/ijXKslw7E2

— TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) November 6, 2021

Five Hip-Hop Icons to Unite for Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show

Courtesy Roc Nation 

It’s still way too early in the NFL season to predict whether the game will be worth watching, but for the first time in a long time it looks like the Super Bowl’s halftime show will be must-see television for hip-hop fans no-matter what teams are facing off in the main event. 

Thursday the NFL, Pepsi and Roc Nation announced five hip-hop icons will unite to headline the 2022 Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Feb. 13 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. 

Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar will take to the stage to perform together for the first time in their careers. Jay Z whose firm Roc Nation has helped produce the last two halftime shows and will guide this one as well said in a statement that the show was “history in the making.”

"Dr. Dre, a musical visionary from Compton, Snoop Dogg, an icon from Long Beach and Kendrick Lamar, a young musical pioneer in his own right, also from Compton, will take center field for a performance of a lifetime,” said Jay Z, hyping the lineup. "They will be joined by the lyrical genius, Eminem and the timeless Queen, Mary J. Blige.”

Dr. Dre thanked Jay Z, Roc Nation, the NFL and Pepsi for the opportunity to participate in what he called, “an unforgettable cultural moment.”

"The opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime show, and to do it in my own backyard, will be one of the biggest thrills of my career," Dr. Dre. said.

The Fugees to Reunite for First Time in 15 Years to Celebrate 'The Score'

Photo Credit B+

For the first time in 15 years Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel will take to the stage together Wednesday, reuniting one of the defining hip hop groups of the 1990s – Fugees.

In 1996 the trio's second album "The Score" shot them to superstardom. Hit singles "Killing Me Softly" and "Ready or Not" helped propel it to the top of the Billboard charts. The Fugees went on to become the first hip-hop group ever to be nominated for Album of the Year at the 1997 Grammy's, where "The Score" took home awards for Best Rap Album and Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group ("Killing Me Softly").

The group's first reunion since 2006, when the Fugees kicked off Grammy week with a free show in Hollywood, will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the seven-time platinum album, which has sold over 22 million copies and is the best-selling album ever by a hip-hop group. 

“The Fugees have a complex but impactful history,” said Hill in a statement. “I decided to honor this significant project, its anniversary, and the fans who appreciated the music by creating a peaceful platform where we could unite, perform the music we loved, and set an example of reconciliation for the world.”

Jean added: “As I celebrate 25 years with the Fugees, my first memory was that we vowed, from the gate, we would not just do music we would be a movement. We would be a voice for the un-heard, and in these challenging times, I am grateful once again, that God has brought us together.”

The reunion will also launch a 12-city world tour beginning with Wednesday's New York City "intimate" pop-up show that is scheduled to take place in an undisclosed location. According to reporting from Variety the New York show is in support of “Global Citizen Live,” a global broadcast event “calling on world leaders to defend the planet and defeat poverty,” to air on September 25. Those looking for an opportunity to attend can head here.

The rest of the tour will commence November 2 at United Center in Chicago and will make stops across the globe before finishing in Africa, with the final shows taking place in Nigeria and Ghana. 

FUGEES TENTATIVE TOUR 2021 DATES: 

• Wed, Sept 22 – NYC – ???
• Tues, Nov 2 – Chicago, IL – United Center
• Sun, Nov 7 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
• Fri, Nov 12 – Los Angeles, CA – The Forum
• Thurs, Nov 18 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
• Sun, Nov 21 – Miami, FL – FTX Arena
• Fri, Nov 26 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
• Sun, Nov 28 – Washington D.C. – Capital One Arena
• Sat, Dec 4 – Paris, France – La Defense Arena
• Mon, Dec 6 – London, U.K. – The O2
• ??? – Nigeria – ???
• Sat, Dec 18 – Ghana – ???

Las Vegas Bringing Whitney Houston Back in Hologram Show

Courtesy Base Hologram 

Nearly 20 years after her accidental death Whitney Houston is making a return to the American stage.
Thanks to technology created by Houston, Texas',  Base Hologram — in partnership with the late singer's estate —Houston will begin a residency in Las Vegas in October.

An Evening With Whitney: The Whitney Houston Hologram Concert features holograms of Houston from various stages of her career interacting with live backup singers, dancers, and musicians in an attempt to create a one-of-a-kind concert experience that gives the audience a chance to see the diva breathe life into her greatest works. 

“A hologram show is all about the imagination and creating a “wow factor” that extends to an incredible experience to enjoy for years to come,"  said Pat Houston, Whitney's sister-in-law, former manager and CEO of the Whitney E. Houston Estate, of the show adding that while Whitney is not with us her music will be with us forever and projects like this hologram tour will help keep her memory alive.

"We know we made the right decision partnering with BASE because they understand how important it is to produce a phenomenal hologram. They also know that engaging her fans with an authentic Whitney experience would resonate worldwide because of the iconic status that she created over three decades. Her fans deserve nothing less because she gave nothing less than her best.”

Choreographer Fatima Robinson, known for her award-winning work with celebrities such as Michael Jackson and Mary J. Blige amongst many others, described Houston as a musical trailblazer, adding, "I'm extremely honored to have this opportunity to help craft this show in her honor."

The show opens October 26th at the Harrah’s Showroom, with performances currently scheduled to occur almost nightly until April 30, 2022. Tickets are available now on Vivid Seats and Ticketmaster. This will be the second run for the show. It debuted in the U.K. in February of  2020 before the pandemic to mixed reviews. 

 

WATCH: Will Smith Does Quarantine Concert With DJ Jazzy Jeff [VIDEO]

Even though there's no stage and no contact...the concert still goes on!

Watch Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff do a quarantine concert all from the crib below:

Master P Announces "No Limit Reunion Tour"

Master P hopped on Instagram to announce a "No Limit Reunion Tour" is happening!

P says, "This is not just a concert it's a celebration! Giving these star their flowers now! Not waiting until they are gone!"

Rappers joining the tour include Mia X, Mystikal, Silkk The Shocker, Fiend, Snoop Dogg, and more.

View this post on Instagram

No Limit Reunion Tour is coming to St Louis November 2nd! This is not just a concert it’s a celebration! Giving these Stars their flowers now! Not waiting until they are gone! @themamamiax @mindofmystikal_ @silkktheshocker @504fiend @snoopdogg @therealyoungbleed @therealmrservon #RipSouljaSlim #FreeCMiller #FreeMac over 100million records sold independently & starting October 9 Im gonna do 100 songs giving opportunity to the hottest artists in the game to the new up and coming artists and producers www.NoLimit100.com #WeAllWeGot #NoLimit100

A post shared by Master P (@masterp) on Sep 17, 2019 at 2:39pm PDT

WATCH: Mary J. Blige Performs With Lil Kim, Method Man, & More [VIDEO]

Mary J. Blige was awarded with BET's Lifetime Achievement award last night presented by Rihanna.

Watch Mary J's medley of epic songs including cameos from Lil' Kim and Method Man below:

H-Town Thanksgiving Concert Is Giving You Life

Thanksgiving Day in Houston, Texas the city will host the ultimate throwdown.  The giants of Houston Hip-Hop are hitting the stage for one night at White Oak Music Hall.

It's your chance to see the Mo City Don, Z-ro, Lil Keke, Slim Thug, Lil Flip, Paul Wall & Yung Martez.

Tickets go on sale October 5, 2018 at http://htownthanksgiving.com