UPDATE: Travis Scott's legal representation has issued the following statement: "Travis does not know anyone from Empire Music Ventures, and he certainly did not enter into any kind of discussion or contract with them. He has no relationship with the management company The Odd Group, which purportedly entered into the alleged contract. Any lawsuit that may have been filed against Travis and his company has absolutely no basis."
2019 is starting off on a bad note for Travis Scott. The "SICKO MODE" rapper had a highly successful 2018 with the release of Astroworld as well as the birth of his daughter. Unfortunately, the rapper is facing a lawsuit by a Coachella Valley-based music festival after the promoters accused Scott of bailing on a headlining set and running off with over $200K.
According to The Blast, Travis Scott is being sued by Empire Music Ventures for fraud and breach of contract. Court documents claim the rapper contractually agreed to perform at the 2019 Rhyme, Wine & Brews Experience on Empire Polo Grounds -- the same location as Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
According to court documents, Scott and the manager of his company The Odd Group made a deal with Empire Music Ventures on November 7th for the rapper to perform at the festival. As part of the agreement, Scott was to be paid $400K for a 75 min set for which he received a deposit of $217,500 on December 3rd. However. Scott's people allegedly canceled the performance without a reason.
Scott seemed to be the lifeline for the festival. They canceled the festival entirely on the day they claimed to have paid out $200K to Scott and his manager. “Due to a last minute cancellation by our festival headliner, we have no other choice than to cancel the 2019 Rhythm, Wine & Brews Experience," read a message from the festival organizers without mentioning Scott.
In the lawsuit, Empire Music Ventures wrote in highlighted that "Defendants have stolen Plaintiff’s money.” They continued to say Scott and his manager, “refuse to return the money … each of them have kept it, and wrongfully converted it to their own use. They have stolen 217,500.00."
Although Scott didn't explain why he was bailing on the performance, his agreement stated that he couldn't "contract or advertise any other performance within a 120-mile radius for 90 days before or 30 days after March 2." Scott wasn't announced as a performer at Coachella, but it seemed possible that the contract might limit his ability to be a guest performer during anyone's set at the festival.