Travis Scott has been inspired by Oasis and Van Halen while working on a follow-up to 2023’s Utopia.
The 35-year-old rapper is currently starring in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey but he has insisted music is still his main focus.
He told Variety: “I’m here to conquer who I am as an artist. In these side quests – these cool things I like to do – I never lose sight of the main goal. I’m still trying to do every stadium in the United States and the world.”
Teasing his new album, he continued: “I’m working on an album right now, and that’s f****** amazing. And I’m constantly pushing myself to push the sonics to try to make something that I haven’t made before.”
As for where he’s heading sonically, it’s anyone’s guess, with Travis reeling off Parliament, Oasis, Van Halen, Don Toliver, Raphael Saadiq and Daft Punk as inspirations.
Travis Scott said Utopia was originally conceived as a full stage production, and he’s now eager to craft real-world, non-digital experiences before everything in entertainment shifts entirely online.
He went on: “I need to double down on trying to make something that can reach the person that’s all the way back in the bowl, so how do I reach them like the person that’s right next to me.
“So that’s what I’m on – trying to elevate the show to a more theatre aspect. Stay tuned on how that’s going to happen. Utopia was supposed to be a play. I want to try to bring back true experiences before they try to take them all down and make everything digital.”
Travis’ Cactus Jack company has just signed a first-look deal with Paramount, and he says he wants to revive “amazing films” and bold ideas – the kind studios aren’t afraid to make.
Sharing his goals, he said: “I want to bring back amazing films, pictures and just creative good ideas.
“And [Paramount’s] not scared to make good ideas.”
And he’s aiming high. The rap star isn’t just chasing a Grammy anymore – he’s openly gunning for an Oscar.
He said: “I still need a Grammy, but I would love to take home an Oscar. That’d be cool.
“I like to set goals, and I just want to achieve them. I noticed the people that get them always have that like, ‘It doesn’t matter.’ To me, the award represents something, and to achieve that would be amazing.”
