Sex, drugs and rock n’ roll is a cliché definition of the
world of 22-year-old Houston, Texas native Travi$ Scott AKA La Flame. The Very
G.O.O.D. Beats (G.O.O.D. Music; Kanye West)/Grand Hustle (T.I.) signee isn’t new to the Hip-Hop scene. Many underground
music junkies discovered Scott through his album which was a major hit last
summer, Owl Pharaoh. Some listeners
may compare Scott to one of his music mentors, Kanye West. But, it’s seemingly
a lazy comparison. Scott has a cult-like following similar to Mr. West, but
there’s a southern twist on his work since he’s from Texas.
His cult-like following derives from his ability to capture
the fast-paced culture within Houston. In an interview on David Rosenberg’s
radio show Scott said, “I try to morph my personality into beats”. The title of
the album ‘Days Before Rodeo’ is
described by Scott as, “I feel like my life is a rodeo… I made this album for
Houston”. Scott credits Kid Cudi and Michael Jackson as two of his musical
influences in terms of performances and musically. He also credits major southern
artists like U.G.K.’s Bun B and Pimp C as curators of Houston rap. But, what is
also important to him is keeping the authenticity of his own experiences in
Houston as a creator. In the interview Scott further expresses his well thought
out process behind the project and his production work as a presentation of how
he views his world full of open-minded people, a thorough vision and just over
the top “rock star shit”.
Scott makes it very clear in his Rosenberg interview that
Houston is a flashy world within Texas with its’ own culture. Grills, cars,
chopped n’ screwed tracks and fashion are staples in Houston. He also expresses
that his work is an attempt to “give Houston a new vibe”. Scott is mentored by
Kanye and T.I. which he believes humbles him.
What is concrete in the interview by Rosenberg is the fact
that Scott is one of the few fresh, creative minds in the fast-paced Hip-Hop industry
currently. His ability to create art is directly connected with how he expresses
himself. Scott is thorough, calculated and a fine example of what Southern
culture can birth/nurture in the 90’s and offer to Hip-Hop.
