What Artists Can Learn From Travis Scott [Video]

A rapper, singer, producer, and brand consultant extraordinaire, Travis Scott has managed to attain an unprecedented level of success, all without compromising his vision. Here, we look at what other artists can learn from Scott’s massive level of achievement.

Known as one of the most popular and enigmatic performers on the planet, Travis Scott is the blueprint for finding success without compromising your vision.

There is only one Travis Scott. A rapper, singer, producer, brand consultant, and all-around spokesperson for people who feel like they don’t belong, Scott has built an empire by being himself. His personality and worldview infiltrate every corner of his business, and business has never been better. Scott’s fans are among the most dedicated and outspoken of Eddy you are likely to find, and today, we are going to help you develop a similar audience without copying what Scott has already done.

The beauty of Travis Scott’s success is that even his critics have to admit he’s special. While countless artists fight for scraps of attention daily, seemingly everything Travis Scott does makes global headlines. Whether he’s making music or sneakers, collaborating with McDonald’s, or even hosting his two-day festival, Scott cannot miss. His fans are too devout to let him slip out of the limelight, even when he’s not active.

In the latest Music Biz update, host James Shotwell identifies five key lessons that every artist should learn from Travis Scott. He touches on the importance of branding, messaging, experimentation, collaboration, and mental health. He dives into specific examples of times when Travis went against the grain and found success. Whether you love him or hate him, James says that everyone can take something away from Scott’s unpredictable career.

A few key takeaways:

• While it may be impossible to name every product and song that Travis Scott is involved in, there is consistency in the presentation, quality, and messaging. He has an outspoken interest in working to make his dreams a reality. His songs speak to a desire to shape the world as you want it to be rather than wishing that it was something else. As much as he may talk about partying and doing drugs, he is always focused on bringing fans into a reality that he and he alone controls. That through-line ties together everything he does and is a big reason why fans will follow him anywhere.
• Some may think that sticking to a specific message or aesthetic is restricting, but Scott proves that is not true. He is the purveyor of experimentation in his field. There is no sound or idea too wild to be present in his music. For him, variety is the spice of life, and his work reflects that I deal with constant bee changes, artist collaborations, and a wide variety of sonic influences. You never know what he will try next, but you can rest assured that he believes it is the best choice.
• Travis Scott also understands passion. He knows that human beings have a supernatural ability to detect when somebody is their authentic self. As long as he believes in what he’s doing, he knows that his core audience will as well. The blind faith of his audience fuels Scott’s willingness to experiment because he does not have to worry about abandonment. He is confident in finding what is best for him, and he knows that his fans will follow his lead.
• Scott also isn’t afraid to disappear. While it may seem like he never leaves headlines for long, there are extended periods where he makes little to no public comments. He has developed a relationship with his fans where they know he is always working, so he does not need to update them on his progress. They will be ready for whatever he has to share as soon as he is prepared to share it. That relationship between fan and artist allows Scott to step away and take time for himself. He can live life as an average human whenever he chooses, and his fans will respect his decision because they know he will be back in time. Those brakes give Travis time to decompress, which then fuels his future creativity. In short: he understands the value of good mental health.

James Shotwell is the Director of Customer Engagement at Haulix and host of the company’s podcast, Inside Music. He is also a public speaker known for promoting careers in the entertainment industry, as well as an entertainment journalist with over a decade of experience. His bylines include Rolling Stone, Alternative Press, Substream Magazine, Nu Sound, and Under The Gun Review, among other popular outlets.