Grand Jury Determines Travis Scott Not Criminally Responsible for Deadly Astroworld Incident

Frank Schwichtenberg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Travis Scott, the rapper and producer behind the ill-fated 2021 Astroworld Festival, will not face charges related to the deadly crowd crush that claimed 10 lives and injured hundreds, announced District Attorney Kim Ogg on Thursday.

A grand jury also declined to indict others involved in the festival, including chief of security John Junnell and festival director Brett Silberstein, as part of the police investigation.

The grand jury from the 228th District Court of Harris County determined that no crime had occurred and that no individual could be held criminally responsible, according to Ogg. While recognizing the tragedy of the 10 innocent lives lost, Ogg clarified that not every tragedy constitutes a crime and that the grand jury's decision would not affect the ongoing civil lawsuits filed against Scott and other organizers, including Live Nation.

The victims, whose deaths were attributed to "compression asphyxia" by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, included a nine-year-old.

Multiple lawsuits have been filed, alleging negligence in the festival's planning and promotion. Scott's spokesperson, Ted Anastasiou, stated that Scott had halted the show three times and was unaware of the unfolding events. Scott's attorney, Kent Schaffer, conveyed the news of the grand jury's decision to the rapper, who is currently overseas for a concert, expressing Scott's relief and eagerness to return home.

“He is ecstatic. It’s a huge weight that has been removed from his shoulders. He’s looking forward to getting back home after being cleared by the grand jury,” Schaffer told CNN.

From Hot Boys to Icon: Lil Wayne's Remarkable Journey Celebrated With BMI Award

Photo Credit R. Rosales / Courtesy of Republic Records

"He's a beast, he's a dog... he's an icon."

Lil Wayne, a longtime veteran in the rap game at the age of 40, will be honored with the prestigious BMI Icon Award at the upcoming 2023 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards on September 6.

The private ceremony, hosted by BMI President & CEO Mike O'Neill and BMI Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton, will take place at Miami Beach's LIV Nightclub, recognizing Lil Wayne's influential career spanning over 20 years.

"As a legend and superstar of Hip-Hop, Lil Wayne is synonymous with the genre. He's been part of the BMI family since 2002, and we're proud to name him a BMI Icon, acknowledging his status as one of the most influential artists of all time," said Brewton in a statement released by BMI, expressing excitement about celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop and its enduring impact on various cultural spheres.

Born Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., Lil Wayne emerged from the vibrant New Orleans music scene in the 1990s, rapidly gaining recognition for his exceptional lyrical skills and distinctive voice. After being signed by legendary Louisiana label Cash Money Records at the age of 12, he showcased his potential as a member of the hit-making group, the Hot Boys, before embarking on a remarkable solo career. Throughout his journey, he has amassed five Grammy Awards and exceeded 100 million records sold worldwide.

Beyond music, Lil Wayne's influence extends to fashion, pop culture and entrepreneurship. Through his label, Young Money Entertainment, he has nurtured emerging talent and produced chart-topping hits. Notably, his mentorship and collaborations with industry heavyweights like Drake and Nicki Minaj have propelled their careers to great heights, solidifying Wayne's impact on an entire generation of artists.

The BMI Icon Award, previously bestowed upon esteemed figures such as Janet Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Snoop Dogg, and Busta Rhymes, honors songwriters, composers or producers who have profoundly shaped the music industry.

Throughout his career, Wayne has received 52 BMI Awards and has been recognized multiple times as the R&B/Hip Hop Songwriter of the Year. In 2009, his track "Down" was honored as the College Song of the Year at the BMI London Awards.

Busta Rhymes Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award at 2023 BET Awards

While the show's duration was notably long, lasting for 3 hours and 52 minutes, the 2023 BET Awards, held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night, featured memorable moments and standout performances.

Migos members Quavo and Offset surprised audiences with a reunion performance honoring their late bandmate, Takeoff. Ice Spice captivated viewers with a Bronx-themed set, showcasing her hits in a dazzling production complete with a basketball court and a mock subway platform.

Busta Rhymes, the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award, delivered a moving speech reflecting on his career and the importance of mentorship, accompanied by tributes from industry legends.

"A lot of greatness from our people and our culture is by default because it's just the magic that we have," the multiplatinum rapper said. "I am grateful for the blessing that has been bestowed upon me and this gift that I have been given, and this fire that continues to burn as a passion in my soul."

Rhymes, 51, added, "It's just me trying to do my duty to continue to advance the culture and contribute in a significant way. I see so many people in here that I have known and grown with for a long time. You're watching me grow, and I love y'all, and I know y'all love me."

Other notable award winners of the night included Beyoncé and Sza, who tied for Album of the Year with their respective albums, "Renaissance" and "SOS." Latto claimed the title of Best Female Hip Hop Artist, while Kendrick Lamar was recognized as the Best Male Hip Hop Artist. Sza's "Kill Bill" secured the Video of the Year award and Teyana "Spike Tey" Taylor was honored as the Video Director of the Year.

Watch Rhymes' full speech above. Continue reading for a complete list of award winners.

Album of the Year:

"Renaissance" - Beyoncé (TIE)

"SOS" - Sza (TIE)

"Anyways, Life's Great" - GloRilla

"Breezy" - Chris Brown

"God Did" - DJ Khaled

"Her Loss" - Drake & 21 Savage

"Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers" - Kendrick Lamar

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist:

Sza

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist:

Chris Brown (TIE)

Usher (TIE)

Best Group:

Drake & 21 Savage

Best Collaboration:

"Wait For U" - Future feat. Drake & Tems

Best Female Hip Hop Artist:

Latto

Best Male Hip Hop Artist:

Kendrick Lamar

Video of the Year:

"Kill Bill" - Sza

Video Director of the Year:

Teyana "Spike Tey" Taylor

Best New Artist:

Coco Jones

Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award:

"Bless Me" - Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin

Viewer's Choice Award:

"Break My Soul" - Beyoncé

Best International Act:

Burna Boy (Nigeria)

BET Her:

"Break My Soul" - Beyoncé

Best Movie:

"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever"

Best Actor:

Damson Idris

Best Actress:

Angela Bassett

YoungStars Award:

Marsai Martin

Sportswoman of the Year Award:

Angel Reese

Sportsman of the Year Award:

Jalen Hurts