User:Erick.merc/Travis Thompson

Travis Thompson

Travis Thompson (born September 24, 1997) is an American and Nvajo rapper signed to Epic Records, a subgroup of Sony Music. He has hosted several sold out shows at the legendary Showbox in Seattle and has been part of Macklemore’s Gemini Tour (2017). Travis has also been a part of his own tours such as the “YOUGOOD?” tour. Travis also has a notable album known as Reckless Endangerment (2020). Travis Thompson grew up in Burien, Washington where he is proud of his roots always representing the street, he grew up in known as, Ambaum Boulevard. His influences include Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi, Kanye West, Public Enemy, and a few others.

Childhood and Early Life

During his childhood Travis grew up in, Burien, a suburban city just a few minutes South of Seattle. Travis is very fond of Ambaum Boulevard, since it is the street he grew up on. Growing up Travis would write poetry at Youth Speaks Seattle and skateboard around the city with his friends. Once his family noticed that he liked to skateboard with his friends, they let him loose into the world since he was a very passionate kid. It was through skating that introduced him to the musical influences of Lil Wayne and Kid Cudi. His father would buy him some of his personal favorite records, but soon after Travis’ friends helped influence him become the person that he is today. Travis’ father once bought him The Score, an album by Fugees along with Bayani, an album by Blue Scholars along with other records that would help influence him into becoming the person that he is today. He recalls listening to many Seattle artists such as Macklemore’s 2005 album, The Language in My World. Travis once mentioned during an interview that he would not be the artist that he is without Kid Cudi. When Travis was in high school, he decided that he would want to shift his focus from poetry and skating to making music. He realized that if he wanted to improve, then he must make some changes to his poetry. He attended a youth program known as The Residency in Seattle. He found people who could push him at making his poetry better by connecting him with other youth through workshops, studio time, and conversations with other local artists.

Career

Eventually all his hard work would pay off. After releasing his first two albums; Ambaum and YouGood? Travis would get noticed by major label, Epic Records a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment. Travis then went on to release his first major label album known as Reckless Endangerment.

Throughout his career he has talked about the musical influences of Sir-Mix A-lot and Macklemore. He would always be inspired by these artists since not many rappers come from the Pacific North West and represent it proudly. Travis Thompson has recently been named amongst some of the big names coming from Seattle such as Sir-Mix-A-Lot, and Macklemore. He was recently pointed to be the next big hip-hop star coming from Seattle.

Travis’ first opportunity to play in front of a very big crowd was on the Gemini tour with Macklemore, as his opening act. Tyler Dopps, his current producer and then engineer also worked with Macklemore. Tyler Dopps, then went on to show Macklemore the talent that Travis has. Convinced and impressed Macklemore went on to reach out to Travis on social media. He was invited to make the song Corner Store. This would then evolve into an invitation to tour with Macklemore that gave him the opportunity to be heard by many people. His first major tour happened to be in sold out arenas with a large tour bus. This whole process was a humbling experience for Travis that helped him learn how to navigate live performances. It was a steppingstone towards the success that he would later encounter today.