Astroworld and All Who Inhabit It
David Andrews
David Andrews
Hip-hop has gone a long way from just another genre of music. Back when it was first created, it was looked down upon by almost everybody who wasn’t part of the culture. Now it is probably one of the most popular styles of music in the world we live in today, with artist like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Kanye leading the way.
Along with hip-hop’s transformation from underground music into mainstream media came a huge explosion in the market for hip-hop and the culture as a whole, creating multiple sub-genres behind it, in which new faces like Jacques Webster, professionally known as Travis Scott, began to emerge. Travis has managed to create one of the most recognizable sounds and styles in hip-hop today, generating a fan base that will be by his side for years to come, even after his retirement. He even provided a lane for new artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Kodak Black, and more to emerge from and lead the way after he is done.
Although he has proved he has talent and immense potential as an artist in multiple ways with singles like “Antidote” and “Goosebumps”, with every rapper’s career there is a certain album of theirs that defines them, cementing their place in hip-hop history. Drake has Nothing Was the Same, Kendrick has To Pimp a Butterfly, Kanye has Graduation, but what about Travis? With his most recently and highly anticipated album, Astroworld, just dropping and already reaching number one on the Billboard 200 list, passing artist like Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, and even Drake, maybe this album is the one. After about two to three years in the making, fans were practically dying while waiting for this Travis Scott project to come out; generating a lot of buzz around his name. When Astroworld actually dropped, it certainly lived up to the hype. With many people including Hillgrove student, Xavier George, calling it the, “album of the year for sure,” and long time hip-hop head and Hillgrove alumni, Michael Langford, calling it, “one of the best albums of our generation and certainly Travis’ best body of work.” Travis Scott definitely delivered.
Throughout the album Travis not only managed to build on the psychedelic, hypnotic, and intoxicating sound he created, but he was also able to incorporate a thrilling and gut-wrenching feel into the me adding on the entire “amusement park” theme of the album, which is why it is called Astroworld in the first place, named after the Six Flags AstroWorld, located in Houston, Texas, where Travis is from. With each song we get to experience what each roller coaster at AstroWorld was like, with every high and low and with every transition, taking the listener on a ride of their own.
Although many online music critics like Shawn Cee make the case that the whole thing is overwhelming and overproduced because of the many overlapping sounds and the rapid beat switches giving the listener no time to digest the music, in my opinion these “weaknesses” are what makes the album that much stronger sonically. By doing so, Travis was able to sort of simulate the entire amusement park for his listeners with all the different noises happening at once. He really captured the feeling of being in an actual line, hearing the people’s screams of terror and seeing their tears of joy while they wait for their turn to get on. Especially in songs like “Sicko Mode” where each beat change brings a different element and emotion like in an actual amusement park. First, you see the ride and get in line. Then, as the line gets shorter your heart starts racing and you begin to contemplate whether or not getting on the ride is actually worth it. Finally, it is your turn and as you slowly get one the ride, paralyzed with fear, your eyes begin to glue themselves shut. Then, right after the ride actually starts, you end up enjoying yourself, really exemplifying the meaning of living in the moment and taking in the now rather than worrying about later.
Just like AstroWorld, after being closed down in 2005, you never know how long the moment will last, which is why Travis Scott made the album in the first place. AstroWorld was such a big part of his childhood and the setting for most of his summer memories. You could imagine that it was pretty hard for him to watch it go, but it taught him a valuable lesson that he wanted to share with his fans. Always enjoy the now and capture the moment because tomorrow is not promised to anyone or anything, so live life to the fullest, like everyday is a roller coaster, filled with surprises. Make memories that will last forever for you to enjoy in the future, rather than worrying about planning for a future that is not guaranteed. Not only did this album define the mood for the summer, but it sort of acted as an exclamation point that, ironically, symbolizes the start of a new day filled with adventures just waiting to be explored.
Along with hip-hop’s transformation from underground music into mainstream media came a huge explosion in the market for hip-hop and the culture as a whole, creating multiple sub-genres behind it, in which new faces like Jacques Webster, professionally known as Travis Scott, began to emerge. Travis has managed to create one of the most recognizable sounds and styles in hip-hop today, generating a fan base that will be by his side for years to come, even after his retirement. He even provided a lane for new artists like Lil Uzi Vert, Kodak Black, and more to emerge from and lead the way after he is done.
Although he has proved he has talent and immense potential as an artist in multiple ways with singles like “Antidote” and “Goosebumps”, with every rapper’s career there is a certain album of theirs that defines them, cementing their place in hip-hop history. Drake has Nothing Was the Same, Kendrick has To Pimp a Butterfly, Kanye has Graduation, but what about Travis? With his most recently and highly anticipated album, Astroworld, just dropping and already reaching number one on the Billboard 200 list, passing artist like Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande, and even Drake, maybe this album is the one. After about two to three years in the making, fans were practically dying while waiting for this Travis Scott project to come out; generating a lot of buzz around his name. When Astroworld actually dropped, it certainly lived up to the hype. With many people including Hillgrove student, Xavier George, calling it the, “album of the year for sure,” and long time hip-hop head and Hillgrove alumni, Michael Langford, calling it, “one of the best albums of our generation and certainly Travis’ best body of work.” Travis Scott definitely delivered.
Throughout the album Travis not only managed to build on the psychedelic, hypnotic, and intoxicating sound he created, but he was also able to incorporate a thrilling and gut-wrenching feel into the me adding on the entire “amusement park” theme of the album, which is why it is called Astroworld in the first place, named after the Six Flags AstroWorld, located in Houston, Texas, where Travis is from. With each song we get to experience what each roller coaster at AstroWorld was like, with every high and low and with every transition, taking the listener on a ride of their own.
Although many online music critics like Shawn Cee make the case that the whole thing is overwhelming and overproduced because of the many overlapping sounds and the rapid beat switches giving the listener no time to digest the music, in my opinion these “weaknesses” are what makes the album that much stronger sonically. By doing so, Travis was able to sort of simulate the entire amusement park for his listeners with all the different noises happening at once. He really captured the feeling of being in an actual line, hearing the people’s screams of terror and seeing their tears of joy while they wait for their turn to get on. Especially in songs like “Sicko Mode” where each beat change brings a different element and emotion like in an actual amusement park. First, you see the ride and get in line. Then, as the line gets shorter your heart starts racing and you begin to contemplate whether or not getting on the ride is actually worth it. Finally, it is your turn and as you slowly get one the ride, paralyzed with fear, your eyes begin to glue themselves shut. Then, right after the ride actually starts, you end up enjoying yourself, really exemplifying the meaning of living in the moment and taking in the now rather than worrying about later.
Just like AstroWorld, after being closed down in 2005, you never know how long the moment will last, which is why Travis Scott made the album in the first place. AstroWorld was such a big part of his childhood and the setting for most of his summer memories. You could imagine that it was pretty hard for him to watch it go, but it taught him a valuable lesson that he wanted to share with his fans. Always enjoy the now and capture the moment because tomorrow is not promised to anyone or anything, so live life to the fullest, like everyday is a roller coaster, filled with surprises. Make memories that will last forever for you to enjoy in the future, rather than worrying about planning for a future that is not guaranteed. Not only did this album define the mood for the summer, but it sort of acted as an exclamation point that, ironically, symbolizes the start of a new day filled with adventures just waiting to be explored.