Migos Rapper TakeOff Dead at 28
Migos rapper TakeOff, 28, has died after an early morning shooting in a bowling alley in Houston. The rapper was reportedly at a party at 810 Billiards & Bowling with group member Quavo when an altercation broke out resulting in gunfire, according to the Associated Press.
Takeoff, whose real name is Kirshnik Khari Ball, was hit by the gunfire and reportedly pronounced dead on the scene. Two others were also shot and taken to the hospital. Hours before the shooting, TakeOff posted a story on his Instagram showing that he was at the bowling alley.
In a statement to NBC News, TakeOff's lawyer, Drew Findling said, "Along with my firm, I am devastated by the tragic death of Kirshnik Ball, known to his fans as Takeoff. Takeoff was not only a brilliant musical artist with unlimited talent, but also a uniquely kind and gentle soul. He will be greatly missed now and always."
TakeOff joined the Atlanta-bred group Migos in 2008 along with Quavo, who is TakeOff's uncle, and Offset, who is his cousin. The group released their first mixtape, Juug Season, in 2011, before breaking out commercially in 2013 with their hit single "Versace," which was notable for popularizing the group's triplet flow - Migos' signature rapid-fire cadence - and it was eventually remixed by Drake. Other hits include "Bad and Boujee," which reached No. 1 in the US, and "Walk It Talk It" with Drake.
The group recently broke up and TakeOff and Quavo released a project under the moniker "Unc and Phew," while Offset went off to work on his second solo album. TakeOff and Quavo just released a video for their single "Messy," on October 31, the day before TakeOff's death, from their collaborative LP Only Built For Infinity Links out now via Quality Control Music Group/Motown Records.
The album features Mustard, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Young Thug, Gunna, Summer Walker, Birdman, and Gucci Mane with iconic production from DJ Durel, Murda Beatz, Buddha Beats, Money Musik, and more and already boasts the RIAA Gold Certified multi-million streamed “Hotel Lobby” and “Nothing Changed” which the pair performed live on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
In response to his untimely death, Quality Control Music, the record label that released Migos' most popular hits, posted a statement about how they are all processing this tremendous loss.
