Josh Byrd

UWRT-1104-006
November 3, 2015
Homework Response 14
Introduction
The majority of people never get the opportunity to make their dreams become reality.
Many lack motivation, doubt their abilities, and receive continuous rejection. Then there are those
who take the step to begin their journey. The journey isnt always easy. But despite the hate and
doubt, these people carry on and strive towards their goals. This is what Jacquese Webster did and
towards the end of his journey, he became Travis Scott, one of hip hops hottest artist in 2015.
Travis Scott has been one of my favorite artists since 2013 when I first heard his mixtape,
Owl Pharaoh. There was a clear influence of Kanye West and Kid Cudi in his music. As those are
also two artists that I enjoy listening to, Travis Scotts music really impressed me. At times his
lyrics may seem meaningless but his debut album Rodeo, he tells the story of how he became the
person who he is today. The word Rodeo is a reflection of his journey. From dropping out of
college to being homeless, Scotts life was wild and untamed. During this quest, he went through
some self discovering and came into his own. With his first two projects, Owl Pharaoh and Days
Before Rodeo, he was searching for his own sound. By the time he released Rodeo, he had found
and mastered the sound he was searching for and he had formed a style of his own. While his
music is categorized as hip hop, he incorporates many elements of rock and indie into his songs.
The combination of his auto-tuned voice and production is what makes his sound so unique.
Rodeo tells a story of self discovery and in ways it motivates others to do the same. Scott
lives by his own rules and he does things the way he wants to. While most hip hop concerts involve
audience members singing along to the lyrics with the performer, Scotts shows involve its

Comment [BJ1]: I really like how you added two different

aspects of your research topic. It gives the reader something
to look forward to learning more about I also liked how you
connect your figured world to the positive side.
J.F
Comment [BJ2]: I think that tis could become one
sentence. The first sentence is a fragment, and the second
sentence shouldnt start with But. Or you could combine
the sentence The journey isnt always easy. With the one
before it, and start the second sentence with Despite.
J.F

Comment [BJ3]: Not many people are aware of what type
of music. Kanye and Kid Cudi make. Including a brief
description or stating what kind of music these artists are
interested in will help identify the similarities in Travis
Scotts music. It will paint a better image of what type of
person Travis Scott is for those who are not interested in
music.
Y.A
Comment [BJ4]: Try including why he impresses you. Also
tell some reasons as to why you connect with him/his music
so much. However, I really appreciate how hes someone
that you look up to.
J.F
Comment [BJ5]: Good description and explanation of your
topic. It is clear to me as a reader you care about this topic. I
especially like the comparison of styles and influences. This
one part of the sentence is awkward. :in his debut. He
tells would make sense.
H.B
Comment [BJ6]: I appreciate your explanations of the
themes of his albums. This identifies the struggles and
personal experiences Travis Scott has encountered that
better explains why his music is how it is today. In
assignment one, I was wondering what kind of crowd Travis
Scott attracts and you did a better job explaining it in
Assignment two.
Y.A
Comment [BJ7]: This sentence is redundant. I would try
sticking to Scott lives by his own rules. And just cut out
the second part of the sentence as it is not needed. But I like
how you incorporated why he does his own thing later on
in the paragraph.
J.F

audience members raging. Is this just reckless behavior, or is there more to it? Scotts life journey
and shows all connect to this term of Rodeo. For this reason, his fan base is able to relate to his
music. The majority of his fans are teenagers or young adults. Scotts music is very fun, loud,
exciting, but it is also motivating and nostalgic in a sense. Audience members and listeners can
party to his music but can also reflect and uplift themselves while listening to his music. The youth
can connect to his story as well as the music itself and the fun vibes his music creates. Rodeo is an

Comment [BJ8]: Asking a question in your own writing is

something I, as a reader, really appreciate. It adds a little
something extra to the paper, creating questions that the
reader can ask themselves as they read. I also like how you
went into detail to answer the question for yourself, as well
as for the reader.
J.F
Comment [BJ9]: I would like to know more about Scotts
past. What was his home state? How were his family
relationships, ect? The explanation of the albums sparks
an interest into his personal life.
H.B

album for the the younger generation to listen to. They can enjoy its sound and feel empowered
and motivated by hearing Travis Scotts story.

Literature Review
On Travis Scotts album, Rodeo, he tells the story of how he became the person he is today.
Today he is Travis Scott but he was once known as Jacques Webster. His journey started in
Missouri City, a suburban town in Houston, Texas. In high school he was involved with and he
played sports. While he enjoyed high school, he knew he was destined for bigger things (Barshad,
2014). Making music was his passion but his parents wanted him to focus on school. He turned
his room into a studio and he would sleep in a chair. His parents on the other hand did not approve
of this and his father would often shut off the power in Jaqs room. In the song Grey he raps
about how this would lead to fist fights between he and his father. Despite this, Jaq continued to
make music. After graduating High School, he went to the University of Texas at Austin and then
later transferred to the The University of Texas at San Antonio.
But the day came when Jaq had to leave the life he had and begin to pursue his dream. On
the first track of Rodeo, Pornography, he sings about coming to the realization that he wants to
get out of Houston become somebody. So he decided to drop out of college and he used the money

Comment [BJ10]: Youre sneaky. Good build up to Scotts

personal life. You hooked the reader well.

his parents sent him for school on a one-way ticket to New York City. (SwaysUniverse, Travis
Scott Stops By The Sway In The Morning to Talk Days Before Rodeo, Relationship with
Kanye). In New York he began producing and collaborating with various artists in the local area
but things just werent happening the way he planned. His parents disowned him once they found
out he had dropped out and they no longer sent him money. He was homeless and he slept on
couches for a few months. On the second track, Oh My Dis Side Scott sings:
Mama kicked me out the house now, oh my
I might end up on the couch now, oh my
Im on a flight now, oh my

Comment [BJ11]: I like the inclusion of lyrics into your

paper. It adds excitement to the paper and portrays the
struggle of Travis Scott. This also aids in describing what
kind of music Travis Scott makes.
Y.A

LA at another couch now, oh my

After his time in New York was done, Jaq used the last of his funds on a ticket to Los Angeles,
California. He stayed with a friend who lived in LA as he continued making music. He posted his
content on Myspace and he put it under a new name, Travis Scott.
That name began to get around the music industry. His parents turned off his phone and at
this point Scott didnt have any money so he had to go back home to Houston. Luckily, his friend
was able to buy him a ticket to come back to LA and when he got there his phone service was back
on. When he checked his phone, he saw that he had voicemails and messages from T.I, a southern
rapper who is the founder and CEO of Grand Hustle Records (Rolling Stone). T.I and Scott
collaborated on their first song Animal (Twum-Barima, Travis Scott: Get Familiar). While the
song wasnt a hit single, it signified the beginning of the future success he would have. In the
following verse of Oh My Dis Side, he sings:
Bout to get some cash now, oh my
Got my momma that new house now, oh my

Comment [BJ12]: Good detail this far. I would consider

including time frames to this. Like dates and year. Even
including when he wrote certain songs at certain points
when he was inspired would be insightful.
H.B

Now she cannot kick me out now, oh my

At this point, Jacques Webster had become Travis Scott and he was beginning to get contacts with
some of the biggest hip hop artists in the industry. Although he wasnt as big as it may seem, that
verse symbolizes his success along with the acceptance of his parents. Also, it shows how he
wanted to take care and provide for his family. In an interview given by Mouloud Achour in 2015,
Scott states, Were just here for the love and shit. We wanna inspire other black kids. I got a little
sister. I got a little brother. I got an older brother thats autistic, man. That was my mentor. He
cant talk, and he taught me how to walk. I do it for him, man. It comes from that, my whole drive.
My mom, she can barely walk. Scott still had some work to do but the fact that he was becoming
a star at just the age of 19 is incredible, and while he was there, he didnt forget his family.
Now that he was starting to establish himself, his parents realized that their son had a future
as a hip hop artist. He was working with some of the likes of T.I, Kanye West, and Jay Z. He coproduced songs on Kanye Wests album Yeezus along with GOOD Musics Cruel Summer. He
even produced and featured on Crown, a song from Jay Zs Magna Carta album. (Hot 97, Travis
Scott on black peoples problems, diversity & Houston) Meanwhile, he released his first project
in 2013, Owl Pharaoh and then in 2014 he released Days Before Rodeo. During all this, young
Travis was living the fast life; from partying to spending extravagantly, he did as he pleased. On
tracks such as 3500 and Wasted, Scott raps about this lifestyle. Whether it was spending
thousands of dollars on clothing or partying to his bodys breaking point, Scott did it all during
this time. Scott doesnt just live this way, but he brings this wild lifestyle to his live shows. In an
interview with DJ Drama on Gangsta Grillz Radio, Scott talks about how he wants to be a complete
performer and really perform how he lives. He states, I just try to bring the music to lifeIm a
big advocate of 360 performances and 360 artists. By 360 he means complete and he refers to

artists such as T.I and Kid Cudi as some of his influences on how they perform and make music
in a way that reflects how they actually live.
Travis Scotts live performances are fun and exciting but at the same time they are very
chaotic. In Frazier Tharpe article about his first hand experience at a Travis Scott show, he states,
He (Scott) was raps agent of chaos, aiming to make his show as hectic as possible while he
prowled around inhumanly across the stageThe organic fan base was very real, yelping every
word and going way way way up to even his mellower songs or features that bore his
distinguishable mark. (The response to Company was as insane as it was unexpected). In tracks
such as Nightcrawler and Antidote, Scott really embeds the energy and madness that is present
at his shows into these songs. The party themed lyrics along with the production and musical
composition of the songs calls for raging. Raging is basically a form of having fun and in this case
it is at a concert or show. It involves jumping, dancing, crowd surfing, and more. In an interview
conducted by GQ, Scott explains the term raging and the environment placed for his shows by
stating, Raging, having fun, and expressing good feelings is something I plan on spreading across
the globe. We dont like people that just standYou find anything youre gonna use to consume
that will get you lit, that will get you ready to go, whether its your drugs, water, orange juice,
alcohol, do whatever you want to do man, get it in and you just have fun. This type of environment
is very wild. The combination of his on stage energy and the music is what makes his shows so
different and exciting. Mouloud Achour asks Scott, Whats going on in your head when youre
on stage? and Scott replies, Chaos, man. I mean just seeing, like, the extreme. Just seeing a
congregation, a group of individuals, whether young, old, middle-agedjust seeing them forwhat, 15 minutes, 30 minutes? lose their fuckin mind to some music Thats like the best

Comment [BJ13]: I like how you included some of Scotts

personal language and his quotes are very strongly
integrated. Im enjoying reading this as new information
because you have guided the reader well.
H.B

feeling ever. Its better than any drug. The entire atmosphere of his shows is rampant and the
energy he puts into each song is unbelievable.
While he is labeled as a hip hop artist, his music sounds different to other artists. Early in
his career, he was often criticized for taking the musical styles of other artists. While he is highly
influenced by Kid Cudi, Kanye West, and southern hip hop culture, by time he had finished making
Rodeo, he had mastered his own sound (MTV, Travis Scott Talks About Collaborating w/Kanye
West & Drake and His New Tour | MTV News). On the track, Piss on Your Grave, Scott address
the haters and sings:
My, my, my, my, look at little Scotty now
The same fuckers that used to doubt
All preaching that they proud
This track shows how he proved the doubters wrong. While there will always be those who have
negative criticism, Scott has been able to excel through the hate.
Now that Scott has made a name for himself, he is finally receiving his well deserved
praise. On the track, 90210, Scott described the first part of the song as him reflecting while he
is on a flight heading to Los Angeles (Mouloud Achour, Clique X Travis Scott). In the second part
of the song, Scott sings about making it as an artist and what that means for him. He sings:
What happened? Now my daddy happy, mama called me up
That money coming and she love me, I done made it now
I done found lifes meaning now
All them days her heartd break, her heart not in pieces now

This symbolizes how his family is proud of him and basically how his mother can now fully
support him. Apple Pie is the final track of the album and it symbolizes Scott becoming his own
person and him discovering who he is. During the hook of the song, he sings:
I dont want your apple pie no more
I need my own pepper pepper, please, pepper, pepper seeds
Need my own reme-remedy, my own legacy
Yeah I dont want your apple pie, mama
I need my own pepper please
My own legacy, my own recipe
He knows who he is now and through his journey he has learned about himself. This song signifies
both self discovering and a sense of coming of age since he no longer needs the immediate support
of his nurturing mother. Scott completes his journey of the Rodeo and he seems ready for lifes
next chapter.
Entering the Conversation
Travis Scotts story is similar to the story of many kids with dreams and high aspirations.
The youth can relate to how he wanted to do big things in life but his parents told him other wise.
There are plenty of kids out there who have great ideas, talents, and abilities, but there are obstacles
in their way of getting to where they want to be in life. For example, ones parents, family members
or friends could advise them not to reach their goal due to the low probability of them reaching it.
On the track, Grey Scott describes a fight he got into with his father. His family did not support
his music. They wanted him to focus on school rather than making music all day. This lack of
encouragement and the doubt can be something that hinders the youth from reaching their goals.

But at the same time, this could be what pushes one to go to take charge and prove the doubters
wrong just as Jaq did.
While Jaq was in high school he turned his bedroom into a studio and he slept in a chair.
This is a sign of the dedication he had. Being dedicated is something difficult some people may
have. The expectations held by others along with being involved in multiple areas can prevent one
from focusing on the one thing that could get them far. Primary and secondary education are
important, but being too involved with too many extra curricular activities may harm a student
who has a great amount of potential in one specific area. For example, if a student who is involved
with school politics, Model UN, the choir, a National Honors Society member, pitcher for the
baseball team, and a crucial player of the soccer team, but hed like to focus on soccer, why should
he continue to balance his time between all of the other activities? Because his parents want him
to? Because you need to be well rounded to get into college?
If a student has both the abilities and a passion in a certain area, he or she should focus on
this area and pursue it. I understand that high school is structured to help students prepare for
college, but if this student has the potential to be something special in one area, why can't they do
so. Many students worry about being accepted into college so they end up taking certain courses
and getting involved in extra curricular activities to enhance their application. Instead of having
genuine interest in these areas, students just get involved so it looks good when applying to college.
Being involved is beneficial and it does contribute to a student's growth, but what about fulfilling
the growth in the key areas that are needed. After graduating high school, I believe students who
are gifted and serious about their passion or area of interest should follow a path that leads to their
success in that area. For example, if a high school student is serious about soccer and has the
potential to play professional, he should attend an academy Dover program to help prepare him.

Comment [BJ14]: I like the way you connected experiences

in a kids life to their skills and success in particular fields.
Your explanation of the negativity coming from parents or
friends and its affect on ones desires was very descriptive.
This helps reveal Travis Scotts love for music and his strong
will to achieve what he wants.
Y.A

The academy would offer more training and a higher level of competition than a college soccer
program would. At he same time, the academy would have courses for the players to take while
they're not training. While this example mainly relates to a athletes, it could also apply to aspiring
artists, singers, dancers, musicians, music and film producers, along with other fields that aren't
always offered at college.
A college education seems to benefit those going into the medical and engineering work
force but for this looking to do something different, their college may not have strong programs in
those areas. Jaq attended The University of Texas at Austin and then transferred to The University
of Texas at San Antonio but the time came when he realized he was going to do bigger things, so
he dropped out. The money his mother would send him for school, he used on a plane ticket to
New York. That was the beginning of his journey.
School is important but it isn't for everyone. Students would gain much more experience
in their fields if there were specific programs or internships to help prepare them. In some sense,
this was Jaq's internship. He went out on his own to make a name for himself. He began working
with artists in New York and was improving his skill set. He was homeless and slept on couches
for a few months until he decided to go to LA. While he was in LA his parents found out that he
dropped out of school so they shut off his phone along with all funds and money going his way
that was suppose to be spent on school. This is a clear indication of the risk and difficulty that
comes with taking a different path and choosing not to attend school. Due to the lack of funds and
no way of communicating, Jaq had to go back to Houston and stay with his parents for a while.
Despite their lack of support and approval, he continued to produce songs and he would
post them on Myspace. He worked day in and day out, and finally one of his friends was able to
get him a ticket to LA. By then, his phone service got turned back on and he had messages from

the Grand Hustle Records rapper, T.I. Not everyone will get the opportunity to excel to that level
in their specific field but for those that do, being in the right setting and hard work is necessary. If
he were to continue school, he wouldn't have been able to focus on making music to the same
capacity he was able to when he dropped out. Also, his name got out and he gradually built a
reputation for himself and his music. His life story is very unique, but those looking to pursue a
field that doesn't have much opportunity in a college setting should look for alternatives so they
can turn their dreams into a reality.
Conclusion
Rodeo is an album for the youth to listen to for both pure enjoyment and inspiration. Travis
Scott shares many similarities with kids who have dreams of doing big things when they grow up.
The structures of society and circumstances of individuals lead kids to doubt and not believe that
they can achieve these goals. I believe kids who are both talented and very passionate in certain
areas that are excluded from college programs should look for alternatives in trying to pursue their
dreams. College is a great place but it isnt for everyone. For those looking to become professional
athletes, singers, dancers, or any other field in the art world should look for specific programs that
can significantly benefit them and lead them closer to reaching pursing their dreams.

Comment [BJ15]: I like that you accept the reality that

college is not for everyone instead of trying to impose the
importance of education. This is different from what you
would expect to see in a research paper. It provides a
window of opportunity to those who do not see college as
an option.
Y.A

Bibliography
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2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=487VVLOnvdw
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