Takeoff

“Human beings are obsessed with mortality, as long as it isn’t their own,” broadcaster and current artist relations specialist at Apple Music Karlie Hustle tells Complex. “It is with a perverse curiosity that people click, tap, and scroll through images and videos of Black death. Who is the audience for this ‘online content’? And who stands to be paid for it?’”This month, the hip-hop community received an unexpected bout of whiplash as news of Takeoff’s shooting death went public on Nov. 1. Details were doused across…

After weeks of public silence, rappers Quavo and Offset paid tribute to their Migos band mate Takeoff, who was killed Nov.1 in a shooting outside a Houston bowling alley.Offset on Tuesday wrote a tribute to the fallen rapper on Instagram and said posting about his death “still doesn’t feel like reality,” largely echoing his emotional remarks at his band mate’s funeral at State Farm Arena in Atlanta last Friday.“Dear Take,” he began the post. “The pain you have left me with is unbearable. My heart is shattered and I have…

The hip-hop world is still mourning the loss of rap titan Takeoff with nearly all of his friends, family, and collaborators putting out some form of tribute to the Atlanta rapper, who died on Nov. 1 at age 28. Canadian producer Murda Beatz took to Instagram to pay his respects to Takeoff, who, along with the rest of the Migos, was one of the first people to take Murda under his wing.“Words Can’t Explain How I Feel This Has Been The Only Thing On My Mind,” wrote Murda. “Without Takeoff, There Would Be No Murda Beatz.”“I…

Cardi B has penned a lengthy and heartfelt tribute to Takeoff, the late cousin and bandmate of her husband, Offset.Over the weekend, Cardi B shared a statement via Instagram honoring Takeoff after the 28-year-old Migos rapper died this month in a shooting outside a Houston bowling alley. Takeoff, his uncle Quavo and his cousin Offset make up the hip-hop group Migos, known for tracks including “Stir Fry,” “Bad and Boujee” and “Walk It Talk It.”“Takeoff your untimely passing has brought a great deal of pain and sorrow to so…

Thousands gathered Friday at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena to honor the life and legacy of Takeoff, who was shot and killed in Houston on Nov. 1.Among those in attendance to pay their respects were fellow Migos rappers Quavo and Offset, both of whom gave speeches at the memorial service, as well Cardi B, Drake, Gucci Mane, Cardi B, City Girls, YG, Lil Yachty, Cee-Lo Green, Teyana Taylor, Rich the Kid, Russell Simmons, Murda Beatz, and Mustard.In addition, the service, which was referred to as a Celebration of Life, included…

Quavo took to Instagram on Saturday to share an emotional tribute to his nephew and fellow Migos rapper Takeoff, who was shot and killed earlier this month at a bowling alley in Houston, TX.“It’s so hard to tell you I’ma miss you because you always with me and we did everything together,” Quavo’s message begins. “Since we were kids you been by my side, lookin up at me, them eyes waiting on me to make the next move.. then you followed up right behind me.”“This whole time I’ve been trying to figure out what you really are…

Fans celebrated the musical legacy of slain rapper Takeoff on Friday at a memorial service in Atlanta, near where the artist grew up, that drew Justin Bieber, Drake and other big names in the music industry. Takeoff, part of the Grammy Award-nominated trio Migos with uncle Quavo and cousin Offset, was shot and killed earlier this month outside a Houston bowling alley. A woman and another man were also wounded in the shooting. No arrests have been made. Jenifer Loving, 22, stood in line with her…

Grand Theft Auto players came together to honour Migos rapper Takeoff with an in-game funeral, following his death. Takeoff, real name Kirsnick Khari Ball, was shot and killed at a bowling alley last week (November 1). It has since been confirmed by a preliminary autopsy report that Takeoff died as a result of “penetrating gunshot wounds of head and torso into arms”. Following his death, the likes of Beyoncé, Dave, Tyler, The Creator, 50 Cent and Rick Ross paid tribute to the rapper and yesterday (November 7), the Grand…

Drake has postponed his upcoming Apollo Theatre performance out of respect for Takeoff’s funeral, which will take place this week.Originally set to happen on Friday, November 11—the same date as Takeoff's funeral at Atlanta's State Farm Arena—Drizzy will now perform at the iconic New York venue on December 6. He’s also added a second show, on December 7.“The Apollo show has been moved to allow us to pay respect to our dear friend this weekend,” he said. “We have added a second date for the fans.”The funeral arrangements…

No matter how Atlanta’s music community first learned, on 1 November, that Takeoff had been killed – whether via alarmed texts or social media posts – the overwhelming response was one of disbelief. Not just because one-third of rap superstar trio Migos had died at age 28 from a shooting at a Houston bowling alley, but also because the whole incident seemed so out of character for Takeoff in the first place.“A lot of people are good people but get caught up and do bad things. Mistakes happen – I know that happens in…