The release of Travis Scott’s “Jack Goes Back to College” merchandise line is expected to draw large crowds to the USC bookstore according to supervisor Paulene Ng Chee.
Paulene Ng Chee: We’ve been preparing all morning, we’ve cleared out all of the backpacks off of this wall right here and this is where most of the marketing materials and the products are going to be. And we’ve also cleared out our front section to kind of feature the product as it comes in for tomorrow.
The collaboration was announced last Thursday via Instagram and many USC students are excited to attend. According to an email from the USC Bookstore Travis Scott is scheduled to be in attendance at 3 p.m. for the launch. KJ Williams, a USC Freshman, and his friends are planning ahead for the impending crowds and lines.
KJ Williams: I know some of my my boys are definitely gonna be camping out and we’re kind of like, working together. So like, if I’m not able to make it in person myself. At least my friends will and hopefully they’ll be able to snag me a couple of items that I can either keep myself or you know, resell.
The incoming merch will include hats, shirts, hoodies, crewnecks, pants, and various other articles of clothing. Travis Scott’s previous merch drops have helped to generate excitement among USC students like Sophomore Luis Amras.
Luis Amras: Oh, yeah, I definitely go and check out the bookstore because I’m a big fan of crewnecks, and yeah, I guess the pants too. Maybe. That’d be interesting to see.
[0:28 to 0:31] “he tends to have a good style. So I’d be down for that.”
Williams is also looking forward to seeing what the merch looks like.
Williams: I think that a hoodie a crewneck or some pants would be nice.
But some students, like sophomore Blake Buchholz, are a little less excited for the musician and rapper’s event on campus. Scott was accused of inciting violence at 2021′s Astroworld festival in which 10 people died and many were injured, caused twelve thousand dollars in damages at a New York City night club, and allegedly punched a sound engineer in the face.
Blake Buchholz: I’m not necessarily like the biggest Travis Scott fan and I know he has a couple of shady things in his past. So it does make me feel a bit weary. But it seems like a nice cash grab for USC, that’s for sure.
For Annenberg Media, I’m Tobey Groome.