Megan Thee Stallion

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The rapper wants to give the community time to grieve

Megan Thee Stallion has canceled an upcoming concert in Houston, Texas, “out of respect” for the victims of Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival. The concert was set to take place on Friday, Dec. 3 at 713 Music Hall.

“Out of respect for the lives lost in Houston earlier this month, I have decided to cancel my show at 713 Music Hall on Dec. 3,” the rapper said in a statement first given to the Houston Chronicle. “Houston is still healing, and it’s important that our community be given the appropriate time to grieve. My heart goes out to all the families that are suffering during this difficult time.”

The concert was intended to commemorate the opening of 713 Musical Hall, a new venue in Houston, Megan Thee Stallion’s hometown. It was also meant as a celebration of the rapper’s new bachelor’s degree in health administration, which she is set to receive on Dec. 11 from Texas Southern University.

So far hundreds of lawsuits have been filed by Astroworld attendees who say the event left them with injuries and psychological trauma. A new lawsuit was filed last week by the family of John Hilgert. The 14-year-old was one of 10 people killed during a brutal crowd rush during Scott’s Astroworld.

Earlier this week, Scott’s offer to cover the funeral expenses for nine-year-old Ezra Blount, the youngest victim to die at Astroworld, was rebuffed by the boy’s family in a heartbreaking letter obtained by Rolling Stone. The families of several other victims have also refused Scott’s offer.

Sade will not be attending their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony this week.

The English group, made up of Sade Adu, Paul Denman, Stuart Matthewman, and Andrew Hale, are among this year's inductees into the prestigious institution. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles this Saturday.

However, a representative for Sade confirmed on Tuesday through the band's official website that none of the members would be attending the event.

"We're sorry that we won't be able to join everyone in person to celebrate alongside the other artists. However, our absence does not lessen how deeply this recognition means to us," they stated. "Being welcomed into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a wonderful honour and a meaningful opportunity to express our gratitude, not just to everyone who voted for us, but to every person who has made our music part of their lives."

The representative also acknowledged their manager Roger Davies for his support and paid tribute to the late engineer and co-producer Mike Pela, who passed away in 2022.

"We owe so much to everyone who has supported us throughout this journey," they continued, before signing the message: "Sade, Stuart, Andrew, and Paul. Mike Pela, the fifth member of Sade... This recognition belongs to you just as much as it does to us, Mike. You will always be our soul mate."

Sade will be joining Oasis among the artists missing this year's ceremony. Liam Gallagher previously addressed his absence in a message on X, saying the journey was "too far" for him to make just "for the night".

The other musicians being recognised at this weekend's ceremony include Billy Idol, Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, the late Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan.

 
 
 
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