The music world is in mourning following thedeath of Migos rapper Takeoff.
Tributes for the Grammy-nominated hip-hop star, 28, poured in Tuesday after he was shot and killed in Houston outside a bowling alley.
“It is with broken hearts and deep sadness that we mourn the loss of our beloved brother Kirsnick Khari Ball, known to the world as Takeoff. Senseless violence and a stray bullet has taken another life from this world and we are devastated,” his label, Quality Control, said in a statement Tuesday evening. “Please respect his family and friends as we all continue to process this monumental loss.”
Rapper Gucci Mane, who’d recently collaborated with Takeoff and his uncle and bandmate Quavo on the song “Us vs. Them,” shared a photo of the rapper to Instagram, and said the news left him broken-hearted.
“This broke my heart 💔Rest In Peace @yrntakeoff,” he captioned the post.
Drake, who toured with Takeoff’s group in 2018 on the Aubrey & the Three Migos Tour, shared a photo of the two onstage and wrote, “I got the best memories of all of us seeing the world together and bringing light to every city we touch. That’s what I’ll focus on for now 😔 rest easy space man”
Ja Rule also paid tribute, writing onTwitter: “Rip Takeoff… this s— has to STOP… sending love to friends and family 🕊🙏🏾.”
Rapper Ugly God broke down Migos' influence on hip-hop, writing onTwitterthat the trio’s 2015 debut albumYung Rich Nationchanged the genre.
Takeoff.Jeff Hahne/Getty
“do y’all not realize these n—s changed the whole cadence of rap when they came out? rip Takeoff,” he wrote. “this man has been staying out the way, keeping it minimal, and minding his own business since the beginning. If that’s not enough to be left alone, then idk.”
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Journalist Jemele Hill also weighed in on the loss in a Twitter thread that expressed frustration with the frequency with which young Black men are shot and killed.
“I was in college when Biggie and ‘Pac were killed and thought there was no way we’d ever experience anything remotely close to that again. Now it’s happening so frequently that you barely have time to recover before someone else killed. RIP Takeoff,” she wrote. “Here comes another useless conversation about how the real issue is we need to better navigate our lives around gun violence. There are 400 million guns in this country — twice as many as we have people. There is no navigating around that. Black people should be allowed to wear expensive things they’ve worked hard to buy, be out late, have petty arguments, without losing their lives. We keep pointing the blame at everything but the people who recklessly pull the trigger.”
British boxer Chris Eubank Jr. shared a photo of himself with Takeoff, Quavo and Offset, and wrote that he remembered his time with Takeoff fondly.
“I remember @1YoungTakeoff being a very down to earth, cool dude,” he wrote. “Cant believe I’m having to say this again about another young black star being killed for no reason, something really has to change in the industry, it’s sickening how easy & often people are dying. RIP Takeoff.”
Addedrapper Yung Miamiof the hip-hop duo City Girls: “Damn takeoff 💔💔💔”
Singer Keri Hilson wrote onTwitterthat Takeoff was “gone too soon,” and sent “healing love to your brothers, family, & friends.”
Former NFL star Darrelle Revis paid tribute, too, writing onTwitter: “our legends are being taken away too soon. a big supporter of Migos. it’s just not good to wake up to news like this. @1YoungTakeoff @QuavoStuntin.”
Kid Cudi— who was featured on the Migos song “Danger” — tweeted, “RIP Takeoff.”
Meanwhile, Puerto Rican starRauw Alejandrotweeted the same sentiment.
Lauren Jaureguiexpressed feelings of shock as she wrote, “Oh my God…rest in peace Takeoff…I can’t believe that..omg…”
Cordaeextended his condolences to his family: “RIP Takeoff. God Bless his family and give ‘em strength.”
Khloé Kardashianwrote on Twitter that his passing was “so sad.”
“Wow! over what?? May God cover everyone who is in pain. These senseless acts have got to end. So so sad,” she wrote.
Keke Palmershared a photo of the rapper on Instagram, writing, “This is horrible. From the tragedy of the death to the tragedy of there being a video of it online. It’s all just tragic and I am so sorry to his whole family and all he touched. Really terrible.”
Kelly Rowlandreposted a photo of the rapper on herInstagram Storiesand wrote, “R.I.P. Takeoff! This is beyond sad!”
Lori Harveyshared a photo on herInstagram Storiesand wrote, “this is so heartbreaking.”
Jake Paul paid tribute and called to put an end to gun violence: “Senseless killings need to stop. Need to unify. RIP TAKEOFF,” hetweeted.
He continued, “To all the youth…put down the guns and pick up some boxing gloves to settle your differences. Violence is not the answer.”
Christina Milianshared a video on her Instagram Stories and told her fans, “I can’t even believe this s— is true. It’s just messed up.”
She also wrote over the video, “That was a talented dude. Praying hard for [Quavo] and [Offset]. I was definitely a fan.”
Rae Sremmurd wrote “RIP Takeoff.”
Chance The Rappershared a photo with Migos on his Twitter and confessed that he was “broken hearted” and “confused” when he learned the news. “But I have to say Take is a one of a kind friend that would always acknowledge you, always make sure you was good and would always tell you keep God first. Man I wish I had more times to see u on this earth.”
Meanwhile,Ciaratweeted is “gone too soon.”
“My heart hurts to hear about Take Off. It just doesn’t make sense,” she continued.
Wesley Snipesexpressed his “deepest condolences for TakeOff’s friends, fans and family” on Twitter.
Takeoff was at a private party with Quavo when an altercation broke out at 810 Billiards & Bowling at 2:34 a.m., police confirmed. Quavo, 31, was not injured in the incident.
Takeoff and Quavo had recently moved forward as a duo without Migos bandmate Offset, 30, who is Quavo’s cousin. Though each member had released solo projects in the past, Takeoff and Quavo continued to work together, occasionally calling themselves “Unc and Phew.”
Their collaborative albumOnly Built for Infinity Linkswas released on Oct. 7.
source: people.com
