Travis Scott, born Jacques Berman Webster II, has built one of the most influential and profitable careers in hip-hop. With a net worth of $80 million, Scott’s story is one of persistence, innovation, and reinvention. From producing underground tracks in New York to breaking global records with digital concerts and luxury brand deals, his path has been anything but ordinary.
Early Life and Humble Beginnings
Travis Scott was born on April 30, 1991, in Houston, Texas. He spent his early childhood in South Park, a crime-heavy area of Houston, before moving with his parents to the more stable neighborhood of Missouri City. Scott showed an early interest in music and formed a duo called “The Graduates” in 2008 with his friend Christ Holloway. Later, he joined forces with OG Chess to create another group, “The Classmates,” before ultimately deciding to drop out of college and move to Los Angeles to fully pursue music.
During his early days in LA, he faced many challenges. He often slept on friends’ couches and had no steady income. However, his distinct production style and experimental beats caught the attention of established names like T.I. and Kanye West.
Breakthrough in the Music Industry
Scott’s big break came when he signed with Kanye West’s GOOD Music and later with T.I.’s Grand Hustle. His first mixtape, Owl Pharaoh (2013), showcased a dark, spacey sound that began to carve his niche in the rap world. The follow-up, Days Before Rodeo (2014), attracted critical attention and strengthened his underground fan base.
In 2015, he dropped his debut studio album, Rodeo. Featuring hits like “Antidote,” the album introduced his unique fusion of trap, psychedelia, and autotune-heavy vocals to a wider audience. The momentum only grew with Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight (2016), which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.
Astroworld and Global Stardom
Scott’s career skyrocketed with the release of Astroworld in 2018. The album was both a critical and commercial success, led by the smash hit “Sicko Mode,” which became his first Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper. The project earned a Grammy nomination and marked a peak in his musical trajectory.
He also launched the Astroworld Festival in Houston, paying homage to a now-defunct amusement park from his childhood. The festival quickly became a staple in the hip-hop community, drawing massive crowds and major acts.
Controversy and the Astroworld Tragedy
On November 5, 2021, tragedy struck during Scott’s headlining set at the Astroworld Festival. A crowd surge resulted in the deaths of ten people and hundreds of injuries. The aftermath saw heavy backlash, with over 2,500 lawsuits filed against Scott, Live Nation, and other organizers. Many pointed fingers at the event’s management and Scott’s history of encouraging wild behavior at shows.
The incident temporarily derailed his career. Brand deals were paused, scheduled performances were canceled, and public opinion became divided. Although Scott later launched a mental health initiative and offered to pay for funeral costs, criticism followed him for months.
Comeback with Utopia
Despite the controversies, Scott returned with his fourth studio album, Utopia, in 2023. The album debuted at number one, reaffirming his stronghold on the charts. With a more refined and mature sound, it showed that Scott was capable of evolving his artistry while keeping his fan base engaged.
Brand Partnerships and Business Ventures
Travis Scott is as much a brand as he is a musician. He’s one of the few hip-hop artists who has successfully bridged music, fashion, gaming, and fast food into a cohesive empire.
His Nike collaborations, particularly with the Air Jordan line, are among the most sought-after sneaker releases globally. In 2020, he made headlines for signing a $20 million endorsement deal with McDonald’s, launching a signature meal and merch line.
Scott’s partnership with Fortnite was a groundbreaking moment for digital concerts. His in-game performance attracted over 12 million live viewers and helped redefine the way artists can reach fans virtually.
Real Estate and Personal Life
Travis Scott has made smart moves in real estate too. He purchased a $14 million mansion in Houston in 2019 and a $23.5 million Brentwood estate in Los Angeles in 2020. A year later, he picked up the neighboring home for nearly $6 million. In 2018, he and then-partner Kylie Jenner bought a Beverly Hills property for $13.45 million. The couple later listed it for nearly $22 million.
Scott and Jenner, who started dating in 2017, have two children together. Though the couple split in 2019, they’ve remained co-parents to daughter Stormi and son Aire.
Accolades and Cultural Influence
Throughout his career, Scott has racked up numerous awards and nominations, including multiple Grammy nods. He’s been recognized for pushing the creative boundaries of rap music and is often credited with influencing the modern sound of trap and hip-hop.
He won the Top Streaming Song at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards for “Sicko Mode” and has performed at major award shows and festivals around the world. His 2019 Netflix documentary, Look Mom I Can Fly, gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at the chaos and creativity behind Astroworld.
Final Thoughts
Travis Scott’s journey from a South Park neighborhood in Houston to global fame is nothing short of extraordinary. With a net worth of $80 million, his success is a mix of talent, timing, and a deep understanding of culture and branding. He’s been to the top, faced public backlash, and returned with music that continues to resonate.
While the Astroworld tragedy remains a dark chapter, Scott’s story is still being written. Whether through music, fashion, or entrepreneurial ventures, he remains one of the most influential figures in today’s pop culture landscape.