Chuck D of Public Enemy during the Bernie Sanders rally in Los Angeles on March 1, 2020.
Steve ApplefordAs families continue to mourn their losses from the devastating crowd surge that killed 10 people and injured hundreds earlier this month at Travis Scott‘s Astroworld Festival, on Friday (Nov. 19), Public Enemy frontman Chuck D wrote an open letter speaking out against Live Nation.
“I’m tired of these corporations shucking their most crucial responsibility. These folks simply say Rest In Peace and move on. This negligence can’t continue. Folks want answers. I’m not buying the Young Black Man did it,” says Chuck D. “He’s being blamed for a crime while the old white men running the corps that Travis and his fans trusted with their lives stay quiet in the shadows, counting their money and watching their stock prices go up and up.”
Despite Chuck D’s admonishment of Live Nation, he still held Scott — who’s currently facing over 100 lawsuits — partly accountable for the festival’s wrongdoings.
“The excuse of Scott’s irresponsible actions don’t wash – if his act had a history of that behavior why promote him to bigger venues, why partner with him in the first place and let him headline a bigger audience? Live Nation controlled this show. They control almost all of the concert venues. Artists ain’t speaking out because these same cats are already bought by these corporations. No one can say a word against them unless they want to be Blacklisted and hurt their careers.”
Chuck D continued his diatribe by blasting Live Nation’s president and CEO, Michael Rapino, and other major concert promoters for their lack of accountability, urging them to seek change to protect event-goers.
“So I am calling on Michael Rapino’s entire team at Live Nation and a consortium of all the major concert promoters out there to do the right thing. To step up and step out of the shadows to fix these situations and save lives. To stop letting one Young Black Man take the blame, the hate, the fall. We don’t know everything that happened or exactly what failed. But concert promoters have all the power to make the changes to keep everyone safe and alive.”
He concluded by saying: “Live Nation, your stock is up. The White Corporate Music Biz keeps cashing in on Black Pain, Trauma and Death. This has to stop yesterday. You’re part of the problem. Grow the f–k up, fix this and let us all LIVE in PEACE.”
NEWS
Lainey Wilson and performers from KPop Demon Hunters are set to take the stage at Snoop’s Holiday Halftime Party.
The artists will appear alongside rapper Snoop Dogg for the halftime show during the Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions matchup on Christmas Day 25.12.25.
While revealing the lineup for the broadcast, which will stream on Netflix, Snoop shared a new mashup of Deck the Halls and Drop It Like It’s Hot and declared: “We about to light up this Christmas. Come on in!”
Snoop’s Holiday Halftime Party will stream on Netflix as part of the game coverage, which follows the earlier Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders clash.
Netflix has also suggested that the show could feature additional surprise appearances.
In a press release, the streamer teased: “You’ll have to wait until Christmas Day to see who else joins Uncle Snoop for this jolly halftime show. You’re in for a holiday treat!”
Snoop added in a statement: “NFL, Netflix and your uncle Snoop on Christmas Day? We’re servin’ up music, love and good vibes for the whole world to enjoy. That’s the kind of holiday magic Santa can’t fit in a bag.”
Snoop and Wilson will share the spotlight with KPop Demon Hunters performers Ejae, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna, collectively known as Huntrix.
Kelly Clarkson will launch the celebrations earlier in the day, performing Underneath the Tree ahead of the Cowboys and Commanders game.
In 2024, the inaugural NFL Christmas Day Halftime Show was led by singer Beyoncé.
During that performance, Beyoncé welcomed Post Malone and Shaboozey to the stage for the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans game at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.Lainey Wilson and performers from KPop Demon Hunters are set to take the stage at Snoop’s Holiday Halftime Party.
The artists will appear alongside rapper Snoop Dogg for the halftime show during the Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions matchup on Christmas Day 25.12.25.
While revealing the lineup for the broadcast, which will stream on Netflix, Snoop shared a new mashup of Deck the Halls and Drop It Like It’s Hot and declared: “We about to light up this Christmas. Come on in!”
Snoop’s Holiday Halftime Party will stream on Netflix as part of the game coverage, which follows the earlier Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders clash.
Netflix has also suggested that the show could feature additional surprise appearances.
In a press release, the streamer teased: “You’ll have to wait until Christmas Day to see who else joins Uncle Snoop for this jolly halftime show. You’re in for a holiday treat!”
Snoop added in a statement: “NFL, Netflix and your uncle Snoop on Christmas Day? We’re servin’ up music, love and good vibes for the whole world to enjoy. That’s the kind of holiday magic Santa can’t fit in a bag.”
Snoop and Wilson will share the spotlight with KPop Demon Hunters performers Ejae, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna, collectively known as Huntrix.
Kelly Clarkson will launch the celebrations earlier in the day, performing Underneath the Tree ahead of the Cowboys and Commanders game.
In 2024, the inaugural NFL Christmas Day Halftime Show was led by singer Beyoncé.
During that performance, Beyoncé welcomed Post Malone and Shaboozey to the stage for the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans game at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.Lainey Wilson and performers from KPop Demon Hunters are set to take the stage at Snoop’s Holiday Halftime Party.
The artists will appear alongside rapper Snoop Dogg for the halftime show during the Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions matchup on Christmas Day 25.12.25.
While revealing the lineup for the broadcast, which will stream on Netflix, Snoop shared a new mashup of Deck the Halls and Drop It Like It’s Hot and declared: “We about to light up this Christmas. Come on in!”
Snoop’s Holiday Halftime Party will stream on Netflix as part of the game coverage, which follows the earlier Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders clash.
Netflix has also suggested that the show could feature additional surprise appearances.
In a press release, the streamer teased: “You’ll have to wait until Christmas Day to see who else joins Uncle Snoop for this jolly halftime show. You’re in for a holiday treat!”
Snoop added in a statement: “NFL, Netflix and your uncle Snoop on Christmas Day? We’re servin’ up music, love and good vibes for the whole world to enjoy. That’s the kind of holiday magic Santa can’t fit in a bag.”
Snoop and Wilson will share the spotlight with KPop Demon Hunters performers Ejae, Rei Ami and Audrey Nuna, collectively known as Huntrix.
Kelly Clarkson will launch the celebrations earlier in the day, performing Underneath the Tree ahead of the Cowboys and Commanders game.
In 2024, the inaugural NFL Christmas Day Halftime Show was led by singer Beyoncé.
During that performance, Beyoncé welcomed Post Malone and Shaboozey to the stage for the Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans game at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
