9781422274477

HIP - HOP & R&B Culture, Music & Storytelling

HIP - HOP & R&B Culture, Music & Storytelling

Beyonce Bruno Mars Cardi B Chance the Rapper DJ Khaled

Drake Jay-Z John Legend Lil Wayne Nicki Minaj Pharrell Pitbull Post Malone Rihanna The Weeknd Travis Scott

HIP-HOP & R&B mason crest Carlie Lawson Culture, Music & Storytelling

MASON CREST 450 Parkway Drive, Suite D, Broomall, Pennsylvania 19008 (866) MCP-BOOK (toll-free) • www.masoncrest.com

Copyright © 2020 by Mason Crest, an imprint of National Highlights, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America First printing 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

ISBN (hardback) 978-1-4222-4368-8 ISBN (ebook) 978-1-4222-7447-7 Cataloging-in-Publication Data on file with the Library of Congress

Developed and produced by National Highlights Inc. Editor: Dave Johnstone Production: Michelle Luke Interior and cover design: Annalisa Gumbrecht, Studio Gumbrecht

QR CODES AND LINKS TO THIRD-PARTY CONTENT You may gain access to certain third-party content (“Third-Party Sites”) by scanning and using the QR Codes that appear in this publication (the “QR Codes”). We do not operate or control in any respect any information, products, or services on such Third-Party Sites linked to by us via the QR Codes included in this publication, and we assume no responsibility for any materials you may access using the QR Codes. Your use of the QR Codes may be subject to terms, limitations, or restrictions set forth in the applicable terms of use or otherwise established by the owners of the Third-Party Sites. Our linking to such Third-Party Sites via the QR Codes does not imply an endorsement or sponsorship of such Third-Party Sites or the information, products, or services offered on or through the Third-Party Sites, nor does it imply an endorsement or sponsorship of this publication by the owners of such Third-Party Sites.

CONTENTS Chapter 1 : Career Highlights—Setting Recording Industry Records ........................... 7 Chapter 2: The Road to the Top—Fulfilling a Lifelong Dream ...................................... 23 Chapter 3: Travis Scott’s Hip-Hop Career, Interests, and Passions in Moments ..... 35 Chapter 4: Travis Scott’s Brand Messaging—Becoming a Worldwide Sensation... 51 Chapter 5: Travis Scott Reminds Us to Give of Ourselves ............................................... 61 Series Glossary of Key Terms ....................................................................................................... 70 Further Reading and Internet Resources ................................................................................ 72 Citations .............................................................................................................................................. 73 Educational Video Links ................................................................................................................ 75 Index .................................................................................................................................................... 76 Picture and Video Credits ............................................................................................................. 79 Author’s Biography ......................................................................................................................... 80

KEY ICONS TO LOOK OUT FOR:

Words to Understand: These words with their easy-to-understand definitions will increase the reader’s understanding of the text while building vocabulary skills.

Sidebars: This boxed material within the main text allows readers to build knowledge, gain insights, explore possibilities, and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos: Readers can view videos by scanning our QR codes, providing them with additional educational content to supplement the text. Examples include news coverage, moments in history, speeches, iconic sports moments, and much more! Text-Dependent Questions: These questions send the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there.

Research Projects: Readers are pointed toward areas of further inquiry connected to each chapter. Suggestions are provided for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis.

Series Glossary of Key Terms: This back-of-the-book glossary contains terminology used throughout this series. Words found here increase the reader’s ability to read and comprehend higher-level books and articles in this field.

6

HIP-HOP & R&B

Chapter 1:

T ravis Scott, born Jacques Bermon Webster II, first hit the charts in 2015 with two singles from his debut album. He had released extended plays from 2008 to 2010 with the Classmates, then had moved to mixtapes as a form of reaching his audiences. The Houston, Texas, native combines music and rap with unique production techniques to create his hit singles. He collaborates with a multitude of diverse musicians and rappers, from the band Bon Iver to Kanye West Career Highlights— Setting Recording Industry Records

Travis Scott enjoys performing with musicians of all genres. He has worked with indie folk band Bon Iver.

7

to Tame Impala. His jazz-infused melodies and brushed backbeats provide a lush background for his narrative lyrics, creating a sound similar to late 1990s Nas but featuring 21st-century topics. All Released Solo Albums to Date: Discography R ODEO (Released September 4, 2015) You’d never guess by the guest list that Rodeo was the debut album from American rapper Travis Scott. The 2015 release on Epic Records and Grand Hustle Records included appearances by Chief Keef, Future, Juicy J, Justin Bieber, Kacy Hill, Kanye West, Quavo, Swae Lee, Schoolboy Q, The Weeknd, Toro y Moi, 2 Chainz, and Young Thug. Scott co- produced with esteemed record producers, including Metro Boomin, Mike Dean, Sonny Digital, Frank Dukes, Allen Ritter, andWondaGurl. The album debuted at number one on the U.S. Rap Album Chart and number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Scott released two singles from Rodeo , “3500” and “Antidote.”The latter peaked at number 16 on the U.S. Top 40 singles chart, and the album’s first single hit 82 on the Top 100. Approximately a year and half after its release, in May 2017, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the album Platinum, indicating that it had sold more than one million

Scan to listen to “Yosemite” Ft. Gunna and NAV from Travis Scott’s latest release, Astroworld .

8

HIP-HOP & R&B

units. On April 14, 2017, the RIAA certified the song “Antidote” as triple Platinum. Critics acclaimed the album for its production, topical subject matter and Travis Scott’s songwriting and narrative abilities. While most rap centers on songs about drinking, drugs, and sex, most of the songs on the album instead focused on living a better life and on love. A few collaborations did touch on drinking, but the album provided a refreshing change that critics noticed. Collaborations “Oh My Dis Side,” featuring Quavo “3500,” featuring Future and 2 Chainz “Wasted,” featuring Juicy J “90210,” featuring Kacy Hill “Pray 4 Love,” featuring The Weeknd “Nightcrawler,” featuring Swae Lee and Chief Keef “P**s on Your Grave,” featuring Kanye West “Maria I’m Drunk,” featuring Justin Bieber and Young Thug “Flying High,” featuring Toro y Moi B IRDS IN THE T RAP S ING M C K NIGHT (Released September 2, 2016) Influenced by the record company’s yearning for further commercial success, Scott’s follow up album, Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight , referred to

Scan here to listen to “Butterfly Effect,” another recent release from Travis Scott.

9

simply as BITTSM, took a more commercial turn. Critics panned it because it did feature many tracks focused on the standard rap fare of drinking, drugs and sex. “Scott’s hedonistic lyrics about sex and drugs remain awfully vapid for what’s been billed as a trap masterpiece,”wrote Calum Slingerland of Exclaim! AllMusic referred to its “swarming basslines and sluggish beats,” instead focusing on its instrumentation. Some critics suggested the artist needed to take more time between releases. Rap fans still responded to the album, but less enthusiastically than to his first release. His promotional single, “Wonderful,” featuring Canadian performer The Weeknd did not chart. The second single, “Pick Up the Phone”with Young Thug, Quavo, and Starrah performed better. It reached number 43 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, but it also appeared on Young Thug’s mixtape Jeffery which helped its publicity. The RIAA certified it double Platinum on May 22, 2017. The third single, “Goosebumps,” charted 11 slots higher, at number 32 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It featured Kendrick Lamar with a vast production team that included Cardo, Cubeatz, Mike Dean, and Yung Exclusive. In the end, even Travis Scott said of his third release, Astroworld, that it was the album that should have followed Rodeo . When he released his third album, he referred to Astroworld as the sequel to Rodeo.

Travis Scott’s single “Wonderful” Ft. The Weeknd, failed to chart.

10

HIP-HOP & R&B

Rapper Quavo collaborated on Travis Scott’s album Rodeo .

11

Collaborations

“The Ends,” featuring André 3000 “Coordinate,” featuring Blac Youngsta “Through the Late Night,” featuring Kid Cudi “Beibs in the Trap,” featuring Nav “Outside,” featuring 21 Savage “Goosebumps,” featuring Kendrick Lamar “First Take,” featuring Bryson Tiller “Pick Up the Phone,”with Young Thug, featuring Quavo “Guidance,” featuring K. Forest “Wonderful,” featuring The Weeknd A STROWORLD (Released August 3, 2018) The music of Astroworld returned to the vibe of Scott’s original release but showed growth as a producer and songwriter. The artist returned to themes relating to his hometown of Houston, Texas, and its culture and surroundings. The album’s title references the now-defunct Houston amusement park, Six Flags Astroworld, which was demolished in 2005. Speaking about his album just before his release, Scott explained the theme of the album. “That’s what it’s going to sound like, like taking an amusement park away from kids. We want it back. We want the building back. That’s why I’m doing it. It took the fun out of the city,” explained the rapper.

Scan here to listen to Travis Scott’s “Stop Trying To Be God” Ft. James Blake, Kid Cudi, and Stevie Wonder.

12

HIP-HOP & R&B

The promotional single, “Watch,” featuring Lil Uzi Vert and Kanye West, charted at number 16 on the U.S. Billboard Top 100. The song does not appear on the album though. It did its job by successfully preparing his fans for the album’s release and previewing the tone it featured. The album did feature three singles, “Butterfly Effect”which topped out at number 50 on the Top 100, “Yosemite,”which hit number 25 and “Sicko Mode,”which became the artist’s first number one single. The collaboration with Canadian artist Drake went quadruple platinum and the RIAA certified it as such on February 5, 2019. Although it came out in early August of 2018, Scott continued to tour in support of the album in spring and summer of 2019.

Scan here to listen to Travis Scott’s “Coffee Bean” Ft. CyHi the Prynce.

Lil Uzi Vert featured with Kanye West on Travis Scott’s promotional single “Watch.”

13

Collaborations

“Carousel,” featuring Frank Ocean “Sicko Mode,” featuring Drake, Swae Lee and Big Hawk “R.I.P. Screw,” featuring Swae Lee “Stop Trying to Be God,” featuring James Blake, Kid Cudi, Philip Bailey and Stevie Wonder “No Bystanders,” featuring Juice Wrld and Sheck Wes “Skeletons,” featuring Pharrell Williams, Tame Impala and The Weeknd “Wake Up,” featuring The Weeknd “NC-17,” featuring 21 Savage “Yosemite,” featuring Gunna and Nav “Can’t Say,” featuring Don Toliver “Who? What!,” featuring Quavo and Takeoff The digital format makes mixtapes much cheaper for artists to release than albums. Many artists take advantage of this and release mixtapes before they get signed or when they are in between studio albums. Travis Scott did both. He’s released three mixtapes: Cruis’n USA, with the Classmates in 2011, Owl Pharaoh in 2013, Days Before Rodeo in 2014. Few details exist of the mixtape that Scott self- released with the Classmates. No digital links to Mixtapes

Scan the code to listen to Travis Scott’s “Sweet Sweet.”

14

HIP-HOP & R&B

Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker