Travis Scott brings his "Cactus Jack Retro 4's" Shoe Release & Block Party to Houston
June 8th, 2018
Article & Photography by: Jessica Perez
La Flame a.k.a. Travis Scott. Texas, Mo-City Native announced on twitter that he would be hosting a release & block party for his new Cactus Jack Retro 4’s. What other way to get us hyped than to throw us a carnival?
Travis decided to go with the traditional Houston Oilers color scheme. I’m not sure if it’s this deep, but here’s my analysis: these J’s are Houston Oilers colors (baby blue, red, and white.) Which is the same color scheme of his mixtape “Days Before Rodeo.” What happens days before the rodeo? The rodeo carnival! And where did the carnival take place? Across from Astroworld. I know that’s a reach lol…but…just sayin’!
The Block Party/Carnival took place downtown at the Root Square - Memorial Park downtown. It was said that this release party would embody the spirit of a real-life carnival, which we would later (finalllyyyy!) come to find out was the direction of his next, very longgg awaited upcoming album, Astroworld. Pulling up to the carnival, clouds were a heavy gray. What’s new for Houston? But this block party was a rain or shine event.
Like most celebrity hosted events, the line wrapped around tightly block after block. The park was blocked off by tall barricades that event go-ers diligently tried to peer over. Some even considered hopping the barricades to skip the line. The music was blasting and 97.9 the Box was on the mic commentating the basketball tournament going down in the middle of the court.
Root Square Memorial Park Basketball Tournament
As I was waiting in the sweaty, humid line of Hypebeast’s galore, an all-black Lamborghini honking its horn came zooming down Clay St. with Travis hanging out the window. Almost everyone who was in line went from standing on the sidewalk to swarming towards the middle of the street. Chaos. I almost snapped the most perfect photo of this image. It would have been so clear and crisp. But, once again...my photographic disadvantage continues to haunt me. Being 5’2’’ in a sea of 6’somethings is just the greatest gift ever. Shout out to my parents. Theyyy mah shortttiesss though. Much love<3
I don't normally share my bad photos, but I'd like to express my disdain in the what would have been perfect photos (of Travis hanging out the window of his Lamborghini) if maybe I had been born 1/2 a foot taller. :)
After the chaos dissipated, security somehow managed to squeeze everyone back in line. The wait continued and the line slowly inched closer to the entrance. At this point I could see the shoe pick-up tent next to a huge 18-wheeler filled with Nike boxes. Again, another huge crowd commotion began and through the chain linked fence a crowd of fans followed Travis down to the court! When the line saw this, all hell broke loose and everyone started running. So there I go with them; when everyone behind you starts running…you do the same! I mean...I wasn’t trying to get trampled.
The barricades were knocked over and the crowds swarmed into the park. The game had ended and Travis got onto the mic “I’m gonna give you a little preview of the album!” The long awaited album? The one people were beginning to think was a myth?? “I’m gonna go grab it, I’ll be right back!” We waited…and waited. Everyone started noticing the HPD multiplying. After a while a voice came over the mic, “I’m sorry y’all but, y’all gotta go home.”
This had been by far the shortest block party I’d ever been to. I was highkey salty AF because I really wanted to ride the Jumpman ferris wheel, but oh well, it’s the thought that counts. At least I got to see the dope set-up of what had been the “Cactus Jack Carnival & Block Party.”
Travis later tweeted thanking and acknowledging everyone who made an effort to come out. The chaos was exciting and short lived. Until next time Cactus Jack. Can’t wait to see what bangers you have in store for us.
@max_dmnd posing for Bellatronica