There is no denying that Kanye West and Travis Scott share a lot of similarities. The two have collaborated for the better part of a decade, contributing to each other’s albums. And what else? They are also linked because of their respective ex-partners, Kylie Jenner and Kim Kardashian (who are siblings). The two musicians obviously encourage one another, as seen by the numerous sweet words Scott recently let out about West during a rare performance.

Finally, after the tragic incident at his Astroworld festival (2021), Scott, the ever-charismatic and influential rapper, took to the stage during his Orlando concert on Wednesday to kick off his much-anticipated music tour. But the poignant tribute he paid to his friend and mentor, West, was what really elevated this specific tour.

In a truly emotional moment, the roar of cheers mixed with streams of tears, Scott paid his respects to West, saying,

Travis Scott (via Flickr)
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Kanye West has returned with a bang, sharing the stage with the father of Kylie Jenner’s children. The 24-time Grammy Award winner joined 32-year-old Travis Scott on stage during the Orlando show on Wednesday. At the Kia Center, they performed together as part of Scott’s Circus Maximus tour.

An X user caught the pair in a video rehearsing for the show earlier yesterday. There was another video posted on X that was from the concert itself, not the soundcheck. In the video, which included them singing the song , West could be seen in yet another odd costume.

Kanye West (via Wikimedia Commons)

In addition to his all-black ensemble, which included a black leather jacket, West was also decked out in a white hockey mask. Most of the songs Scott has been playing on the tour are from his album. Midway through the music tour, he took an emotional pause as he dedicated a heartfelt tribute to West, acknowledging his undying faith in him, his direction, and their lovely collaborations.

The hitmaker told the Kia Center crowd (via Complex Music): 

“There is no Travis Scott without Kanye West.”

(📸 @331DES) pic.twitter.com/zoKFm0Hynv

— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) February 1, 2024

This vulnerable display of emotion moved the audience as well. Scott and West have been working together since 2012 on projects like Cruel Summer and among others. 

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Rapper Travis Scott earlier spoke out about the terrible deaths that took place at his 2021 Astroworld festival. At the Houston, Texas, concert, ten people lost their lives and hundreds more were hurt when the crowd erupted toward the stage. The rapper expressed that he was “ by the deaths in his initial interview following the tragedy. He told GQ:

“I always think about it. Those fans were like my family. You know, I love my fans to the utmost. It has its moments where it gets rough and…yeah. You just feel for those people. And their families.”

Travis Scott (via Wikimedia Commons)

As the overflowing crowd pushed toward the front of the stage during Scott’s headline performance on November 5, 2021, panic broke out, resulting in thousands of injuries. Compressive asphyxiation claimed the lives of ten people. The rapper admitted that, until he left the stage, he had no idea how serious the crush was. 

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As per NBC News, the 10 victims probably lost their breath within a minute or two due to oxygen deprivation in their brains and hearts, as a result of the enormous crowd pressure at the event. In a statement released after the deadly event, Scott said he was (via CNN):

“Distraught by the situation and desperately wishes to share his condolences and provide aid to (the victims) as soon as possible.”

A Texas grand jury released its indictment against Scott and all other concert organizers on June 29, 2023. The aftermath devastated the hitmaker and his team, but it probably also cemented an unbreakable bond between Scott and his fans.