Travis Scott has identified ten songs that played a defining role in shaping his career and creative direction. The Houston rapper shared the selections during an interview with Rolling Stone. Scott explained how specific records influenced his approach to music, performance, and personal storytelling.
Kid Cudi and Ye Influence
Kid Cudi’s 2009 track “Soundtrack 2 My Life” featured prominently in the discussion. Scott described an immediate sense of connection to the record:
“From zero to the end of the song, I felt like we were brothers or something.”
He explained that seeing listeners respond strongly to Cudi’s music influenced his own approach.
“I was like, OK, people will hopefully understand what I got the story I gotta tell,” he stated
Recalling the period when he was still in high school.
Scott also highlighted Ye’s “Can’t Tell Me Nothing”, describing the track as a defining statement of ambition.
Expanding Musical Boundaries
Beyond hip-hop, Scott pointed to Björk’s “Wanderlust”, Aphex Twin’s “Cow Cud Is a Twin”, and Bon Iver’s “33 God” as records that expanded his understanding of sound and structure.
He also named “We Are Young” by Fun, “Retrograde” by James Blake, and “Western Eyes” by Portishead as key influences.
Houston Roots and Personal Work
Scott acknowledged his Houston roots by naming Z-Ro’s “Mo City Don,” which he described as a defining local record. He concluded the list with his own song “Impossible” from his 2015 debut album Rodeo, explaining that it represents a sense of release when he listens back.
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