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Takeoff, a member of the rap trio Migos, was shot in Houston, Texas on Tuesday (November 1). The rapper – full name Kirshnik Khari Ball – was 28 years old. Officers were called at about 02:34 local time (7:34 a.m. GMT) about shots fired outside 810 Billiards and Bowling Alley in downtown Houston, where a private party of about 40 people was taking place. Takeoff and his Migos partner Quavo were both in attendance. Quavo – real name Quavious Keyate Marshall – was not injured in the altercation. The third member of Migos, Offset, was not present. An argument ensued, reportedly over a dice game, and shots were fired, causing many people to flee in panic. Takeoff was pronounced dead at the scene. At the time, police did not name the victim, but identified him as Black in his 20s. It was Takeoff’s representatives who first confirmed his death, with police confirmation following shortly after. His death has been mourned by industry figures and fans, with tributes for the late rapper pouring in on social media. Celebrities including James Corden, Drake, SZA, Outkast and Khloé Kardashian have shared posts remembering the rapper. So far, no suspects have been arrested with Houston Police Chief Troy Finer appealing for witnesses to “come forward” in the shooting. The police, as well as the rapper’s fans, urged others to take down the graphic videos of the incident circulating online.
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James Corden Pays Tribute to Takeoff During ‘The Late Late Show’
Late Late Show host James Corden paid special tribute to the offset on his show. The rapper had appeared with his Migos bandmates on Corden’s wildly popular Carpool Karaoke segment in 2018. “I’ve been lucky enough to spend some unforgettable moments with Takeoff over the last few years,” Corden said. “He was an incredible guy, warm and generous. Whenever I saw him, he always called me Big Drip and he knew how much I liked that.” Tom Murray2 November 2022 19:26 1667413413
Offset changes his Instagram avatar to a photo of the takeoff
Offset paid a subtle tribute to his late Migos bandmate on Instagram. The rapper changed his profile picture on the social media platform to one of takeoff on Wednesday (November 2). Neither he nor fellow Migos member Quavo have commented verbally on their friend’s death. Tom Murray2 November 2022 18:23 1667409358
Everything Houston police said about the fatal incident
Houston police called a news conference Tuesday (Nov. 1) to talk about the shooting that killed Tykoff. During the conference, Police Chief Troy Finer revealed several key details about the tragic incident. Officers said they were called at about 02:34 local time (0734 GMT) to a shooting outside 810 Billiards and Bowling Alley in downtown Houston, where a private party of about 40 people, including Takeoff and Quavo, was taking place. An argument ensued and shots were fired from at least two guns, police said, prompting several people to flee the scene. Takeoff was pronounced dead at the scene. At the time, officials did not name the victim, but identified him as a black man in his 20s. It was Takeoff’s representatives who first confirmed his death, with police confirmation following shortly after. Two other people – a 23-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman – were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. That being said, police appeared to confirm that Quavo was not injured during the altercation, given that he is 31 years old. Annabel Nugent2 November 2022 17:15 1667408458
In a 2021 interview with NME, Takeoff reflected on the death of Juice WRLD. The rapper, who collaborated with Migos on their 2021 album Culture III, died aged 21 in December 2019. His contribution to the record was posthumous. Speaking about his death, Takeoff said: “I had a conversation with him on the phone. He is a good man.” Juice WRLD’s 2019 show (Getty Images for iHeartMedia) His partner Offset continued: “He’s done a few songs and has the same passion for music as we do. He gets straight in there and doesn’t like to play in the studio. Off the top as he is, he lets it get to him, but he’s a great artist. The brother was difficult.” Annabel Nugent 2 November 2022 17:00 1667407512
Takeoff and Quavo’s childhood photo is making the rounds online
A sweet photo of Takeoff and Quavo as kids has surfaced online following news of the rapper’s death. In the photo, the two relatives and friends can be seen wearing baggy T-shirts, one with the image of Tupac. Many fans commented on the post: “Rip.” Annabel Nugent2 November 2022 16:45 1667406612
Outkast – a favorite band of Takeoff’s – paid tribute
Outkast’s tribute was particularly poignant given that Takeoff used to listen to the band as a teenager growing up in Atlanta. Outkast tweeted: “Rest in peace, Takeoff Sending our deepest condolences and prayers to his family, friends and the community of people touched by his art.” Annabel Nugent2 November 2022 16:30 1667405722
Where’s Quavo? The fellow Migos member has not been heard from since the shooting
Fellow Migos member Quavo was also present at the private party, during which Takeoff was fatally shot. Quavo is not believed to have been injured in the fight, as police said a 23-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman were themselves taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following the incident. The news appears to confirm that Quavo, 31, was not among the injured. His condition, however, remains unknown with fans worried about his whereabouts. Quavo, real name Quavious Keyate Marshall, has not been heard from since the shooting. The Independent has contacted Quavo’s representatives for comment. Annabel Nugent2 November 2022 16:15 1667404822
Chuck D Condemns The Normalization Of Gun Violence In Hip-Hop After Takeoff’s Death
Chuck D spoke out against gun violence in a new interview, addressing the “tragedy” of Takeoff’s death. “The pain is unbearable,” Chuck D, better known as the frontman of Public Enemy, told TMZ Live. Speaking about the circumstances of Takeoff’s death, the rapper said: “It’s not normal behavior… The conditions in the US are just dealing with abnormal situations. People believe that, through culture, it has become normalized over the years. (Getty Images) “When those things were dealt with in the 1980s, hip-hop was the one that dealt with those things away from that lifestyle and violence, and it took it.” He continued: “In any other area of life, it would have been dealt with much earlier. You have people who have grown up thinking that the death of hip-hop is normal.” Annabel Nugent 2 November 2022 16:00 1667403922
Was Offset against Takeoff and Quevo?
While Migos never announced their split, Takeoff and Quavo recently began performing separately from Offset, leading many fans to believe there was a rift in the group. In an appearance on the Big Facts podcast last month, Quavo said it was a family matter that had nothing to do with “no label, no paperwork, no QC, no nothing.” “This is about the three brothers and it is what it is. Right now we’re going to be the duo until time tells,” he said. Despite their issues, however, Takeoff said Offset will “always be family.” The late rapper said: “We are always family. Nothing is going to change.” Annabel Nugent2 November 2022 15:45 1667403022
Houston police chief says he ‘loves and respects’ hip-hop community
“Sometimes the hip-hop community gets a bad name,” frontman Troy Finner said in a press conference Tuesday (Nov. 1). “I’m calling on everyone – our hip-hop artists in Houston and across the nation – we need to police ourselves. There are so many talented individuals, men and women, in this community that I again love and respect, and we all need to come together and make sure that no one tears this industry down.” Annabel Nugent2 November 2022 15:30
