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.

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— TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) November 6, 2021

Diana Ross' 'Thank You' First Album of New Material in 15 Years

Photo Credit: Ross Naess

The last couple of years have been a rough ride for much of the world, but while the scourge of Covid-19 has taken much from us it has given back, too. 

Its latest gift is the first new music from Motown legend Diana Ross in 15 years — a 13-track opus featuring original writing from Ross as well as collaborations with in-demand producers, including pop-prince Jack Antonoff, entitled "Thank You."

“I spent the past year recording new music and this music is a reflection of the joy and the love and the gratitude that I feel every day," said Ross of the inspiration behind the effort in a statement. "It’s an album of great appreciation for life, and for all of you.

Ross, 77, explained that her love of singing kept her in good spirits during these unusual times, and the pandemic created a need in her to do something special with her music.

"For me there was an urgency in making a meaningful album, working with what is happening now in our world," she shared. "Through the power of music, we are creating a new kind of conversation that supports our choices and the decisions that we make."

Along with the release of the album, her first new studio material since 2006’s "I Love You," Ross released her first music video in a decade, something that would not have happened without a nudge from her sons Evan Ross (producer) and Ross Naess (photography), who both took part in the Amanda Demme directed collaboration.

“My sons gave me the confidence and encouragement to make this video. After spending almost two years not performing and not being in front of the camera, they supported me in easing back into being around lots of people," Ross stated. "I am filled with appreciation for the work that they all did to make this happen.”

Watch the video for the track "All Is Well"  below:

Easter Egg in Black Cowboy Movie "The Harder They Fall" a Tribute to Chadwick Boseman

Photo Credit: Netflix 

Rufus Buck (Idris Elba, center) escapes custody on a train with

the help of his gang associates Treacherous Trudy (Regina King)

and Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield) in “The Harder They Fall.”

"The Harder They Fall," the black-led western taking a fresh look at the genre is making a lot of noise on and off the screen for Netflix.

Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes at 87%, the movie which dropped Wednesday on Netflix following a limited theatrical run, has drawn high praise from critics, has a banging soundtrack and got co-producer Jay-Z to join Instagram — even if it was only temporary.

It certainly looks like director Jeymes Samuel has found the formula for success, though with talented
stars like Idris Elba, Regina King, LaKeith Stanfield and Jonathan Majors driving the action on the screen and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Jay-Z adding his clout to the soundtrack — the prospects of failure may have been somewhat lessened. 

Anytime you're dealing with a new take on a genre, especially one that involves race, America's not so politically correct path on the matter and redefining who and what people are and can be, using a mix of history and fantasy, the pressure is immense. Samuel's ability to rise above it and blend those elements into an empowering, educational and perhaps most of all fun piece of film is to be applauded.

And while the movie does an adept job of horning the past of black cowboys, albeit in a fictional framework, it is easy to connect the passions and problems that drive the protagonists with those Black people still are dealing with today.

So, it is only appropriate that in a nodding wink to the audience, almost too easy to miss if you're not looking for it, the film pays homage to the late Chadwick Boseman. The "Black Panther" star died in 2020 of colon cancer at the age of 43, and the filmmakers made sure the Disney/Netflix star was not forgotten.

The Twitter account for Strong Black Lead, Netflix's division dedicated to advancing Black stories, creators, and experiences, tweeted about the tribute:

Our favorite trivia from #TheHarderTheyFall might be the fact that the train is named after our forever king, Chadwick Aaron Boseman.

 Our favorite trivia from #TheHarderTheyFall might be the fact that the train is named after our forever king, Chadwick Aaron Boseman. 🖤 pic.twitter.com/wahEALnftR

— Strong Black Lead (@strongblacklead) November 3, 2021