Travis Scott Doubled Down on His “Loyalty” to Kanye at His Utopia Rome Concert

Travis Scott is taking his dwell present for his new album Utopia across the globe, and for the primary date at Rome’s Circus Maximus enviornment (which impressed the title of his Utopia album lower and theatrical movie), he pulled out all the stops—together with the considerably controversial transfer to convey out Kanye West as a visitor. “There isn’t a Utopia with out Kanye West. There isn’t a Travis Scott with out Kanye West,” Scott stated, after West carried out their Donda collab “Reward God” and “Can’t Inform Me Nothing.” “There isn’t a Rome with out Kanye West. Make some noise for Ye.”

Although Scott got here into the sport signed to T.I.’s label, it was his affiliation with Kanye and G.O.O.D. Music—the place he was signed as a producer—that put him on a path to stardom, beginning together with his contributions to Merciless Summer time and Yeezus. Regardless of his present standing as one thing of a pariah nowadays after a litany of controversial feedback and stunts final 12 months, West’s affect is felt all over Scott’s new album. Along with being credited as a co-writer and producer on “Thank God,” “God’s Nation,” and “Telekinesis,” and “Trendy Jam” repurposed a beat initially made for Yeezus. On “Skitzo,” Scott reaffirms his loyalty to West, rapping that he’s acquired “Ye over Biden.” (Let’s hope that alternative isn’t actually an choice.)

Bringing West out at the moment was Scott returning the favor in a approach—in 2022, West was slated to headline Coachella, however stated that he wouldn’t perform until Billie Eilish apologized to Scott for feedback he perceived as being a slight associated to the Astroworld tragedy. West additionally stated he would bring Scott to the festival at a time when his protege was not getting the sorts of high-profile gigs he usually does. (West finally canceled his performance shortly earlier than the pageant and was changed by The Weeknd.)

Showing onstage with Scott is probably essentially the most seen West has been since December 2022, when he did an interview with Alex Jones and proclaimed his assist of Adolf Hitler and Nazis. Since then, West has not launched any new music or carried out dwell, and whereas he stays a foundational determine in hip-hop and pop music, the A-listers who have been nonetheless collaborating with him into 2022 have nearly universally steered away from Kanye. West’s anti-semitic feedback, prompted major fashion brands like Adidas and Balenciaga to sever their professional relationships with him.

Utopia officially topped the Billboard 200, shifting just below 500,000 album-equivalent items in its debut week. These numbers don’t fairly match the heights of Astroworld in 2018, however presently put Scott as having the best promoting rap album of the 12 months up to now, practically doubling Uzi Vert’s Pink Tape gross sales. Scott has begun teasing a full Utopia US and European tour, with dates quickly to come back.