Fans of Travis Scott were disappointed to learn that the hip-hop star would not be performing at this year's Abu Dhabi F1 after-race concert series. The Sicko Mode star had been due to headline the Friday night concert at Yas Island's du Arena, but it was announced on Wednesday that rappers Gucci Mane and Future would be taking his spot on the bill.
Announcing the news, Yas Marina Circuit said that the star was forced to pull out at the last minute due to “unforeseen circumstances”, sparking much reaction from fans online.
Fans have been speculating about their own reasons for Scott’s last-minute cancellation, but the star has alluded to a possible, very serious, reason via his own Instagram account.
Scott shared a 'get well soon' card addressed to his mother, Wanda Webster, on an Insta story on Tuesday. “Mamma Wanda, sending you love, light and a speedy recovery,” the card reads. “Hoping that you get well soon. Happy Holidays. Love your Nike and Jordan family.”
Scott, real name Jacques Webster, shared the image alongside the prayer hand emoji. The rapper, 28, has a shoe line collaboration with Nike and Jordan, who sent the card.
So it looks like his reasons for cancelling the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix concert could be tied to his mother’s health.
The star is famously close to his mother, as detailed in recent Netflix documentary Travis Scott: Look Mom I Can Fly.
Scott spoke of his admiration for his mother in a 2018 interview with Rolling Stone: "My mom's disabled. I've never seen her bend her leg – she's been on crutches my whole life," he said. "She's had strokes... I think she rode her bike into a ditch of something crazy when she was young.
"And she still looked after me, my brothers, sister, dad, putting up with ********. Strong woman. That's why I move the way I move. Nothing stopping me, bro."
The new line-up
Future and Gucci Mane are now on the Friday night line-up. With both acts seasoned UAE club performers, this will be the chance for them to put on their biggest UAE shows to date. Future is a star in his own right, and has been at the forefront of launching subgenre trap music to the charts. He will take the Abu Dhabi stage with a fistful of anthems, including Mask Off, Turn On The Lights and Low Life.
Fellow Atlanta native Gucci Mane comes to the UAE on the back of his latest hit album: released last month, Woptober II debuted in the US top 10 charts and spawned the club bangers Richer Than Errbody and Tootsies.
Other acts performing as part of the Abu Dhabi F1 after race series include the EDM star Marshmello on Thursday, November 28, US singer Lana Del Rey on Saturday, November 30 and The Killers on Sunday, December 1.
