This morning, reports coming out of Houston, Texas revealed that Takeoff, the American rapper best known as being a member of hip hop trio Migos, had been shot and killed at the age of just 28.
Takeoff, real name Kirshnik Khari Ball, was born in 1994 in Lawrenceville, a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia.
In 2008, alongside his uncle Quavo and cousin Offset, Takeoff founded Migos. They released a series of mixtapes, before 2015’s debut album, Yung Rich Nation. It was followed by 2017’s Culture, which shot to number one on the US Billboard Hot 200, featuring singles ‘Bad and Boujee’ and ‘T-Shirt’. Within the same year, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Culture was followed by Culture II and Culture III, the latter of which arrived in June last year. In 2018, Takeoff released a solo album, Fly Me To The Moon, and just last month, his joint effort with Quavo, Only Built for Infinity Links, was released.
On top of their commercial success, Migos were widely regarded as one of the most influential hip hop groups in modern music. Hailing from Atlanta, their style and cadence massively changed the genre in their wake, establishing the trio individually as some of the city’s most successful and famous rappers.
As the news of Takeoff’s death still breaks across the internet, rappers, media, politicians and members of the public are taking to social media to express their heartbreak at the star’s untimely death, as well as their appreciation for his music and legacy.
Takeoff, man…
Offset lost a brother he’ll never get to fix things with.
For nothing.
Quavo lost his nephew.
For nothing.
Rap lost a good one.
For nothing.
All this bloodshed.
For nothing.
It’ll never make sense.
Never ever.
Rest in Peace.
Prayers to the family of the fallen. pic.twitter.com/6l4PUO2wp1— juice wayne (@visecs) November 1, 2022
The Martin Luther King Jr. Center expressed their sadness at the tragic, premature loss of life, as well as noting the ‘frivolous’ nature of his death, over a game of dice.
We mourn the murder of #Takeoff.
Kirshnik Khari Ball (birth name) was killed over a dice game, his life snuffed out during a frivolous dispute.
28 years-old.
We are praying for his family and all who are mourning. And we are committed to transforming our communities. pic.twitter.com/WOcpTQnWTU
— The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (@TheKingCenter) November 1, 2022
One user looked back on a happier time, tweeting the truly brilliant video of Migos’ ‘Sweet Caroline’ adapation, during carpool karaoke with James Corden.
RIP Takeoff 😢😢😢 pic.twitter.com/Gvncr96koM
— NBA Slime (@TerryFranconia) November 1, 2022
The group’s rendition of the ‘Llama Llama Red Pyjama’ children’s book is equally brilliant.
The Shade Room asked for people to refrain from circulating the photos and videos that were spread across Twitter.
At this point, we have all seen the graphic images and videos from the scene of Takeoff’s passing. We are asking that you please refrain from putting the images in our replies out of respect for his family and loved ones. 🙏🏾
— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) November 1, 2022
That feeling was echoed by many:
Posting TakeOff’s body is disgusting.
Posting Quavo mourning is disgusting.
Jason Lee describing the video in detail for clicks is disgusting.
Y’all have no respect for the passing of anyone.
— Dvrryl (@Dvrryl2times) November 1, 2022
New York congressman Jamaal Bowman expressed his frustration at that unnecessary death of young, black men.
Sending love to Takeoff’s loved ones.
I’m tired of seeing young Black men die. 💔
— Jamaal Bowman Ed.D (@JamaalBowmanNY) November 1, 2022
We have to stop killing each other.
We should be able to shoot dice, buy cookies, take our ladies out to eat and lead joyful lives without another brother shooting us down out of anger or jealousy.
— Jamaal Bowman Ed.D (@JamaalBowmanNY) November 1, 2022
British rapper Dave shared his heartbreak on Instagram, describing the days he and Takeoff spent together as ‘priceless’ and sending prayers the late rapper’s family.
Rapper Cole Bennet took to Twitter to pay his respects.
rip takeoff 🙏
— Cole Bennett (@_ColeBennett_) November 1, 2022
Complex shared a clip of a Takeoff verse on the LA Leakers radio show.
RIP Takeoff 🕊️🖤 pic.twitter.com/2HzyEQoOj0
— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) November 1, 2022
do y’all not realize these niggas changed the whole cadence of rap when they came out? rip Takeoff. this man has been staying out the way, keeping it minimal, and minding his own buisiness since the beginning. If that’s not enough to be left alone, then idk.
— FEO (@UglyGod) November 1, 2022
YouTube star turned celebrity boxer, Jake Paul, pleaded with people to put down guns and pick up boxing instead.
To all the youth…put down the guns and pick up some boxing gloves to settle your differences. Violence is not the answer.
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) November 1, 2022
takeoff’s contribution is a lot of why culture is so great/iconic for me. the way he flowed so effortlessly on every verse, especially on slippery, will always be crazy to me. what a fcking talent man, gone way too soon 😞
— SK⚡️ (@raptalksk) November 1, 2022
I remember @1YoungTakeoff being a very down to earth, cool dude. 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 pic.twitter.com/VBguVkzBJ7
— Chris Eubank Jr (@ChrisEubankJr) November 1, 2022