Takeoff, of the rap trio Migos, was confirmed dead by Houston police officers this morning.
Takeoff, who formed one-third of the rap group Migos, has been shot dead at the age of 28. Multiple outlets have confirmed that the rapper — real name Kirshnik Khari Ball — was killed by a gunman during a private party at a Houston bowling alley, with the shooting also injuring two other attendees. Takeoff died at around 3am, with police spokespeople confirming that his fellow Migos bandmates, Offset and Quavo, were also present at the scene.
Migos’ original three-man lineup went on an indefinite hiatus earlier this year, with Takeoff and Quavo accounting for much of the members’ musical releases in the time since. Together, the pair shared their collaborative album Only Built For Infinity Links last month, releasing a music video for its single Messy just yesterday. Collectively, Quavo are known for smash hits Versace, Bad and Boujee and Stir Fry.
In one of his final interviews, Takeoff revealed he wanted to be recognised for his music, just days before his untimely death. Speaking on Revolt’s Drink Champs podcast last week, the rapper said “I’m chill, I’m laid back, but it’s time to pop it, you know what I mean?…It’s time to give me my flowers. I don’t want them when I ain’t here.” Meanwhile, footage of Takeoff’s last-ever live show — at a Lil Wayne-created festival last Tuesday — is now circulating online.
Quavo & Takeoff performing “Hotel Lobby” in New Orleans at the #LilWeezyanaFest ⚜️🔥 pic.twitter.com/dF5e1Lq4b5
— Wave Check🌊 (@thewavecheckk) October 30, 2022
Tributes for the late rapper have begun pouring out from both the music world and beyond, led by a heartfelt message from fellow hip-hop musician, Gucci Mane: “This broke my heart,” the rapper wrote in an Instagram post, “Rest In Peace.” Elsewhere, Grime artist Dave shared a series of images of Takeoff with the caption, “[the] days we spent together are priceless,” while Lil Pump wrote: “God plz tell me this ain’t true.”
Rip Takeoff… this shit has to STOP… sending love to friends and family 🕊🙏🏾
— Ja Rule (@jarule) November 1, 2022
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Keke Palmer, Ja Rule, Julia Fox and Kid Cudi were among the other celebrities to pay tribute to Takeoff.
