Musician and rapper Travis Scott’s clothing brand Cactus Jack is unveiling a college-branded clothing collaboration titled “Jack Goes Back to College” with Fanatics on April 4. Cactus Jack announced the collaboration via Instagram last Thursday.
According to Fanatics, Cactus Jack is teaming up with 28 universities — including USC, UCLA, and the University of Michigan — to create “unique, specially designed products, ensuring students can rep their school in true Cactus Jack style.”
Merch will be branded with Cactus Jack and university branding, and retail prices for these products will range between $68 and $160 per Fanatics. The collab line will include snapback hats, T-shirts, crewnecks, hoodies, shorts, sweatpants, and backpacks.
Mitchell and Ness, a brand owned by Fanatics, secured licenses with all 28 universities and Cactus Jack, allowing the universities and Cactus Jack to earn royalty payments based on product sales.
Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express excitement about the collaboration.
“Such a unique collab,” Rubin posted. “Fusing our university partnerships with Trav’s incredible vision and Cactus Jack’s high-end signature streetwear to give sports fans something they’ve never seen before.”
This collaboration is one of many for the Houston-born rapper, who has previously collaborated with brands like McDonald’s, Nike, and Fortnite.
Scott has shown support for USC by attending women’s basketball games. The rapper took to X on Monday before USC’s game against UConn in the Elite Eight of March Madness.
“Tonight might be one of the illest days in women’s sports history. Let’s get it.”
Students shared their reactions to news of the collab between the university and Scott.
Maddie Reinoso, a junior majoring in health and human sciences, said the collab would help bolster USC’s reputation.
“We’re a very internationally popular school,” she said. “So I guess it’s reaffirming that our reputation is still getting out there and a reputation still being built, which I think is what we all want.”
Despite the benefit of recognition, Reinoso noted that the collaboration has its negatives.
“I think it’s frustrating to see that we’re prioritizing collaborations with artists who don’t go to USC or have no other affiliation when, instead, we could be prioritizing the facilities that are here for the students,” she said.
Other students shared a similar view on collaboration.
“I think it’s a cash grab. I think this university is very interested in keeping its own money or making more money,” said Montserrat de Allende Silva, a junior majoring in earth sciences.
Silva believes that USC could have instead collaborated with someone who is known to use their platform for good and that “if it’s someone that has had controversies, and it’s really not benefiting anyone, I don’t see the point.”
USC Bookstore personnel — who have cleared space at the front of the bookstore for a new display — declined to provide further information on the collaboration.
Merch will be available at the participating campus bookstores, Fanatics.com and shop.travisscott.com, this Thursday.
This story has been updated to include more information.