Takeoff, member of Migos, dies at 28

Takeoff, also known as Kirshnik Khari Ball and member of the rap trio Migos, was shot and killed at a bowling alley in Houston, Texas Tuesday. Takeoff, 28, and his uncle and fellow group member, Quavo, were playing a game of dice.

Takeoff was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He was raised by his mother, alongside his family and group members, Quavo and Offset. The group formed in 2008 under the stage name Polo Club but later changed their name to Migos.

Migos took the hip-hop world by storm in 2013 with their hit song “Versace,” which caught the attention of rapper Drake. Drake and Migos would later go on to collaborate on songs like “Having Our Way” and “Walk It Like I Talk It.”

Chadwick Hemus, co-owner of The Record Parlour in Hollywood, met the group when Beats by Dre hosted a pop-up event in 2018. Hemus said Takeoff’s death leaves a big void.

“He’s one-third of the act, so I don’t know what they’ll be doing, but it’s going to make a big difference for them,” Hemus said. “Unfortunately, I think there’s always been an element of tension and violence that has run throughout the underbelly of the music industry.”

Takeoff’s death is the latest in the string of rappers who have died from gun violence. In September, rapper PnB Rock was shot and killed by a father-son duo. Other high-profile rappers who have suffered the same fate include Young Dolph, who was fatally shot in Memphis, and Grammy award winner, Nipsey Hussle, who was fatally shot in Los Angeles in 2019.

Some fans believe lyrics can contribute to how people view rappers in real life.

“We all know that our words mean a lot, and I think when you are rapping about your death and rapping about people hating on you and looking for you and wanting to kill you, I feel like you create that energy and that frequency,” said Jeris Dupree, a fan of the group since 2013. “Flossing is just a thing that people do in rap music and all over the world, but in rap music, it’s highlighted. We live in a society where people want what you have.”

Dupree said he hopes to see an embrace of positivity through music, instead of lyrics that mirror negative thoughts and actions.

“The other point, too, is spreading high frequencies through our music,” Dupree said. “Also rapping about more positive things so we’re not always thinking about guns and negative connotations that spread rampant through our communities. Just changing the frequency and the way people are thinking and spreading more love and positivity will help people get away from negative thoughts and actions.”