5 Things We Learned From Travis Scott’s XXL Cover Story
As a commemorative close to what has been a year of career highs for Travis Scott, the Houston-bred MC wrapped up his 2019 with XXL Magazine as the latest cover star for the hip-hop publication’s 2019 winter issue just days after the release of his JACKBOYS compilation.
The cover story, which was penned by La Flame himself, offered a relatable and honest glimpse into the beatmaker-turned-rap superstar’s mindset as he reflected over his markedly different standing amongst the hip-hop elite in comparison to the last time he graced an XXL cover over three years ago fresh off the chart-topping success of his second solo album, Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight.
In the piece, the “SICKO MODE” rapper also touched on his highly-publicized relationship with beauty mogul Kylie Jenner. The two publicly split up back in October, although they’ve maintained a united front for their daughter Stormi Webster, who just turned two years old in February. Here are a few of the key takeaways from Travis’ XXL cover story, which you can read in full here.
The inspiration behind 'JACKBOYS'
"It’s just a body of work made with a few of my friends and people I’ve always made music with since day one. It’s just fun and something that’s endearing and cool. It kind of like, wakes up the minds of people that might not know about Don Toliver or people that know about Sheck Wes and makes them want to know more. 'Highest in the Room' is on that album. It was a song that I had for a while and I love performing it."
On fatherhood and his relationship with Kylie Jenner
“I’ve been spending time with my family and with my daughter, Stormi. Being a dad is better than what I thought it would be. Stormi is one of the best human beings I know. She’s like my best friend. She makes life a little bit easier. She just inspires me and she surprises me every day with how she’s thinking. It’s so crazy. Her mom and I came up with the name Stormi together. I love her mommy and I always will. The hard part about relationships is just trying to be in one without a million outside voices interfering.”
His thoughts on the current state of hip-hop
“It would be so much cooler if the hip-hop community could be more together and not so divided. It can be very divided. Competition plays a role but it’s cool that there’s competition. Everyone is obviously winning but it would be so cool if rap didn’t have so much back-and-forth and it was more about us coming to an understanding on some things and there was more camaraderie. We are all in this together. It’s us versus those who don’t get it. So, if we showed and felt that more, it would be different.”
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The sage words of Jay-Z imparted unto him
“Jay-Z has always been a mentor to me. I met Jay-Z a long time ago, around Magna Carta Holy Grail. I have always kept in touch with him. I remember something he said: ‘We were born rich. Money doesn’t equate to rich in spirit. Money doesn’t equate any of that. We are just trying to obtain a certain level of wealth in our communities.’ That’s what it’s about. That comes with pushing an agenda. My agenda is to give everyone like me a voice and opportunities.”
Kid Cudi’s music helped him cope with his anxiety
“Sometimes in life you might connect with an artist in discovering music to get you through something. Dealing with anxiety or just down for the day. That’s what Kid Cudi was to me. Kids tell me that kind of thing all the time and I take that to heart and that’s why I do everything I do. I remember somebody out there is listening to me. I got somebody through the next day. I got somebody through their day and that s**t is amazing. That touches me. That resonates with me. For real, 100 percent. And it makes me listen back to that m*thaf**ka. I swear when I be making music, I be tapping back into when I was that kid. I swear, every time.”
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