Takeoff, member of Atlanta rap group Migos, has died at 28

 

Takeoff, member of Atlanta rap group Migos, has died at 28.

One-third of the talented Atlanta rap trio Migos, Takeoff, has passed away. Before breaking into the global arena, Migos developed in the 2010s as a viral force within its local scene. The members cited Takeoff as the group's hidden weapon since they managed to influence the zeitgeist without sacrificing any of their regional appeals, creating a doorway for acts that came after. According to reports, he was shot during an incident at a Houston bowling alley early on Tuesday. A lawyer who represented Takeoff, Drew Findling, verified his demise. He was 28.

Born Kirsnick Khari Ball on June 18, 1994, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Takeoff started rapping as a youngster with the help of his uncle Quavo and his cousin, who went by the moniker of Yung Lean, who rapped as Offset. "Growing up, I was trying to make it in music," he told The Fader in 2017. Just creating and producing something for myself. Even if I didn't release them, I could still rap to the songs I wrote for myself. I was enjoying it myself because it was what I like doing. He became known for completing songs in one take. Prior to changing its name, the group went by the moniker Polo Club. In 2011, they released their debut mixtape, Juug Season. The mixtape Y.R.N. (Young Rich N*****) and its catchy lead track "Versace" helped the trio breakthrough in 2013. After the original song became popular online, a Drake remix gave it an extra boost, propelling it to the top of the Billboard charts. Later, it contributed to shaping the decade.

Takeoff, although being the member of the group with the least amount of public interaction, was frequently praised as being its most underappreciated talent. He typically served as the group's rock, keeping its songs steady despite all of their movement. The Migos' flow permeated mainstream music, and the trio contributed to the proliferation of the viral dance motion the dab. Migos were formal and cultural pioneers. They were totally ascendant in the first several months of 2017: In January, their popular song "Bad and Boujee" peaked at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, while their second album, Culture, peaked at No. A few weeks later, the country had only one album. (Takeoff not being a part of that hit sparked a heated argument with Joe Budden at the BET Awards.) The trio was described as "The Beatles of this generation" by Donald Glover when he accepted the Golden Globe for best comedy series after they acted as fictionalized versions of themselves in his television program Atlanta.

Instead of being just another viral moment, what could have been, Migos became a career act; popular fame never compromised their reputation. In 2018, Culture II—also a Billboard No. 1—came next. The trio momentarily split up the same year to make separate albums, which solidified their position. The Last Rocket by Takeoff opened at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, and all three songs reached their peak there. His lone solo release was that one. Takeoff's identity remained mostly inseparable from the group for the majority of their existence, which was intentional. However, as his explosive verses got longer and more introspective, Takeoff's presence in the group's fast-paced music became increasingly difficult to ignore.

After several setbacks imposed on by the COVID-19 epidemic, The Migos finished their Culture trilogy in 2021. When Takeoff and Quavo started releasing songs without Offset early this year, rumors about the group's breakup started to circulate. Only Built for Infinity Links, Takeoff's collaborative album with Quavo, was released just a few weeks before he passed away.

His attorney, Drew Findling, issued the following statement after his passing: "Takeoff was an exceptionally kind and compassionate soul in addition to being a superb musician with boundless skill. He is already being missed a lot and always."