Travi$ Scott has become one of the most must-see performers in rap, because of his electric stage presence and because he is always on the verge of a doing something anarchic or belligerent. Scott's inner beast, La Flame, is a force to be reckoned with, and he himself cannot always contain the beast.
2015 has been particularly lit for Scott, as he has been averaging almost one crazy stage stunt per month. The rage bubbles closer to the surface as he nears the release of Rodeo.
Take a look back at the best moments from Travi$ Scott's performances in 2015 thus far.
Travi$ Scott encourages fans to jump the barricade at Lollapalooza; gets arrested
Scott's Lollapalooza set was cut short after 5 minutes when the fans jumped the barricade at his behest. Fans in the front fought green-shirted security before the show even started, attempting to jump the barricade so that they could mosh directly in front of of the stage. Scott saw this and cheered his fans on.
"Everyone in a green shirt get the fuck back," he said "Middle finger up to security right now!" Scott then got the crowd hyped with a "we want rage" chant before launching into a turnt up rendition of "Uptown." By this point, security had lost the battle, as an army of fans had taken the pit. A few even hopped on stage. Scott told them to get off the stage, but the show was already shut down at that point.
He was later arrested for disorderly conduct after fleeing the scene.
Watch the 5-minute set in its entirety below.
Travi$ Scott spits on fan who tries to steal his Yeezy Boosts
Scott was rocking the Yeezy 350 Boosts during his July performance at the Openair festival in Switzerland. His crowd surfing routine was interrupted when an opportunistic fan tried to rip the Yeezys straight off his feet.
Scott does not take kindly to this attempted thievery, and he responds by spitting on the fan and getting a "fuck him up" chant going before telling security to remove him from the premises.
Scope the footage below.
Travi$ Scott tells Summer Jam cameraman to "get your nerdy ass off the stage"
Travi$ Scott was on one at Summer Jam. Having attended the festival, I can tell you that he was 100x more energetic than any of the other 20+ performers. Beyond that, he made it his mission to alienate Summer Jam and ensure that he'll likely never be invited back. "This is not a Summer Jam show," he roared repeatedly, "this is a Travis Scott show!"
Later in the act he accosted a cameraman who was documenting the performance from the back of the stage. "Hey, get your fucking nerdy ass off the stage, bro," he told him. "Go! Now! I don't know you, bro... Nobody on stage bro... No disrespect, I'm an artist... I don't care if you're working for Summer Jam, Bye! You're not working for Travis!"
He later explained that the photographer was "[taking] away from the experience" and tweeted out an apology: "T is sorry for being such a ass. All love my g. Let's continue the rage."
Travi$ Scott yells "fuck Trey Songz!"
Scott did not mince words during a performance in Chicago earlier this year, punctuating the end of a song by yelling, "fuck Trey Songz!"
His motivations were unclear, though they may have stemmed from this cryptic Trey Songz tweet. At any rate, Trey fans were displeased, and surrounded Scott & Thug's tour bus after the show.
Scott later clarified his comment, assuaging Trigga Trey fans. "I have no beef with him".
Watch Scott shoutout Trey Songz below.
Travi$ Scott fights a fan after alleged chain snatching
Scott's Rodeo tour stop in Arizona took an ugly turn when he pulled a Ron Artest and entered the crowd to fight a fan who reportedly attempted to snatch his chain. It was no mere squabble -- punches were thrown by both parties before security broke up the fight.
Also present towards the beginning of the video is Scott's Rodeo tourmate Young Thug, who appears to be taking pictures with fans or on some peacekeeping mission. Scott had no such intentions.
Travi$ Scott gets intimate with a lucky fan at the BET Awards
Scott's hyperaggressive behavior are his way of connecting with his fans and encouraging them to tap into their animal instincts.
Sometimes his performance shenanigans can be positive, as they were during his and 2 Chainz's performance of "3500" at this year's BET Awards. Scott grabbed one especially excited fan in the front row by the neck and rapped a few bars to him at close quarters before releasing him and stepping off across the stage with his patented high leg kick.
Though the fan was no doubt terrified, it was probably the best moment of his life. La Flame is a force of nature, the type of artist you have to see in person to fully understand.
2 Chainz got intimate with a fan at the #BETAwards2015 and it was amazing pic.twitter.com/MWcdABd1H7