Takeoff, the third member of Migos alongside the rappers Quavo and Offset, has died. The 28-year-old rapper, real name Kirshnik Khari Ball, was fatally shot at a bowling alley in Houston where he and Quavo were playing dice around 2.30am; Takeoff was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other people on the premises were shot and taken to hospital while Quavo was unharmed. TMZ first reported the news, which was later confirmed by a local Houston outlet,this morning
Takeoff, who was one third of the platinum-selling rap group Migos, was shot and killed early Tuesday in Houston, Texas, a source close to the group confirmed to https://theusnews.press
The star was killed at a bowling alley where he was playing dice with his uncle and bandmate, Quavo, on Tuesday.
A representative for the musician, real name Kirshnik Khari Ball, confirmed the news to the Associated Press.
Migos were one of the most influential groups of their generation, pioneering a style of rapping in choppy, staccato triplets known as the “Migos flow”.
The band, who split earlier this year, scored several international hits including Bad and Boujee, Versace and Walk It Talk It.
‘Tell me this ain’t true’ – follow reaction to Takeoff’s death
The shooting took place at about 02:30 local time (07:30 GMT) on a balcony outside the 810 Billiards and Bowling Alley.
Police said 40 to 50 guests had been at a private party when someone opened fire. Security guards in the area heard the shots but did not see who fired the gun. When they arrived, officers said they found a large crowd and a man in his twenties with a gunshot wound to the head or neck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Takeoff was identified as the victim by media outlets including TMZ, Variety and the Hollywood Reporter.
However, police told the BBC they would not officially confirm an identity until the victim’s family had been notified.
Reports that Quavo was also injured in the incident have not been confirmed. Police said two other injured victims were driven to hospital in private vehicles.
Takeoff’s lawyer Drew Findling told the New York Times the rapper’s death was “a devastating loss, particularly for Atlanta”.
There was “a sense of peacefulness about his aura”, Mr Findling said, adding: “The world was starting to learn about Takeoff. It was his time to shine.”
Tributes have been posted on social media. “Forever a legend, I can’t believe this,” wrote Lil Pump on Instagram; while Ja Rule posted an emoji of a dove and sent “love to friends and family”.
Music executive Cole Bennett tweeted that “nothing makes sense anymore. nothing at all”; and Juice Wayne posted a verse about Takeoff, saying “it will never make sense”,
“Takeoff [was] probably the most unproblematic rapper,” added actress Masika Kalysha. “He don’t bother nobody and stay out the way.”
Houston police say they responded to the scene of a shooting in downtown Houston at a bowling and pool hall around 2:30 a.m. local time. One person was found dead, according to a tweet from the department.
Two other victims were taken in private vehicles to hospitals, police said.
According to authorities, police were informed that a private party had been held at the venue prior to the shooting. An investigation is ongoing.
Born in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Takeoff began performing with his uncle and fellow rapper Quavo, along with Offset, as Migos in 2008. The trio found fame with their 2013 single, “Versace.”
Their success only increased in 2016 with the release of their hit “Bad and Boujee,” which featured fellow recording artist Lil Uzi Vert.
The single quickly became an internet sensation, giving birth to a multitude of memes that played off the lyrics “rain drop, drop top.”
The song got an even bigger boost after “Atlanta” creator and star Donald Glover name-dropped the single during an acceptance speech at the 2017 Golden Globe Awards.
“I really wanna thank the Migos, not for being in the show, but for making ‘Bad and Boujee,’” Glover said at the time. “Like that’s the best song ever.”
Takeoff and Quavo recently formed the duo “Unc & Phew” and released their debut album, “Only Built for Infinity Links,” on October 7.
The music video for their song “Messy” was released on Monday.
During a recent conversation on the podcast “Drink Champs” just days before his death, Takeoff accepted accolades for his stellar performance on the new project.
“It’s time to pop it, you know what I mean? It’s time to give me my flowers, you know what I mean?, Takeoff said. “I don’t want them later on when I ain’t here.”
ABOUT MIGOS
Migos is an American hip hop group from Lawrenceville, Georgia, founded in 2008.The group was originally composed of rappers Quavo, Takeoff, and Offset. They are managed by Coach K, the former manager of Atlanta-based rappers Gucci Mane and Young Jeezy,and frequently collaborated with producers such as DJ Durel, Murda Beatz, Zaytoven, and Buddah Bless.Often recognized for their contribution to trap music in the 2010s, Billboard stated that the group “influenced pop culture and the entire English language by bringing their North (or “Nawf”) Atlanta roots to the mainstream”.