Hip-hop stars and fans have paid tribute to American rapper Takeoff of the group Migos, after he was shot dead aged 28.
The musician, whose real name is Kirshnik Khari Ball, was killed Tuesday in Houston.
Gucci Mane, Kid Cudi, Khalid and Dave posted tributes on social media, while Rick Ross called him a “young legend”.
Migos were one of the most influential bands of their generation, pioneering a style of rapping in choppy, staccato triplets known as “Migos flow”.
The band, which broke up earlier this year, have had several international hits including Bad and Boujee, Versace and Walk It Talk It.
The shooting took place around 2:30 a.m. local time (0730 GMT) on a balcony outside 810 Billiards and Bowling Alley, where Takeoff allegedly played dice with his uncle and teammate, Quavo.
Police said 40 to 50 guests were at a private party when someone opened fire. Upon arrival, officers said they found a large crowd and a man with gunshot wounds to the head or neck. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said two other people were injured and taken to hospital in private vehicles. No arrests were made.
At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner pleaded with witnesses at the scene to come forward.
“Please step up, give us the information so we can put an end to this family that is hurting right now,” he said.
In a statement, label Quality Control said: “It is with broken hearts and deep sadness that we mourn the loss of our beloved brother Kirsnick Khari Ball, known to the world as Takeoff.
“Senseless violence and a stray bullet have taken another life in this world and we are devastated. Please respect his family and friends as we all continue to deal with this monumental loss.”
Tributes poured in on social media. Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane wrote, “This broke my heart. Rest in peace.”
“Forever a legend, can’t believe it,” Lil Pump wrote on Instagram; while Ja Rule posted an emoji of a dove and sent “love to friends and family”.
Brit Award-winning rapper Dave shared a series of photos of himself and Takeoff on Instagram, along with the words: “Brother…the days we spent together are priceless .”
British rapper friend AJ Tracey said on Twitter: “No Takeoff! RIP”; while the Atlanta singer Keri Hilson wrote: “Rest in peace. Healing love for your brothers, family and friends. #gonetoosoon.”
reality star said Khloé Kardashian on Twitter: “It’s so sad. Wow! on what?? May God cover all who suffer. These senseless acts must stop. So so sad.”
music director Cole Bennett tweeted that “nothing makes sense anymore. Nothing at all ” ; and Juice Wayne posted a verse about Takeoff, saying “it’ll never make sense”.
“To take off [was] probably the least problematic rapper,” added actress Masika Kalysha. “He doesn’t bother anyone and stays away.”
Pioneers
Migos – made up of Takeoff, Offset and Quavo – grew up together in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and came to represent the state capital, Atlanta, arguably the spiritual home of trap music.
Takeoff said the music offered the group, who were all related, an escape from poverty.
“Growing up I was trying to make it in music. I was grinding, which is exactly what I loved to do. I had nothing else to do,” he told The Fader.
“In my spare time, I was recording myself. Finding a beat…just doing something and creating for myself. I was waiting for Quavo to come back from football practice and playing him my songs.”
Originally called Polo Club, the band debuted as Migos in 2010 and scored their first hit with Versace, which received a remix from Drake, in 2013.
“The Beatles of This Generation”
Their rise was briefly halted in 2015 when Offset was sent to prison following a police raid on the band’s tour bus after a show at Georgia State University.
Later that year, the trio released the mixtape Back to the Bando, which included the hit song Look at My Dab – which popularized the dabbing dance trend which was later picked up by athletes and even politicians. .
They went mainstream in 2016 with Bad and Boujee, a viral hit whose quotable lyrics (“raindrop, drop top“) has spawned several memes.
A slow success, it topped the US charts two months after its release, thanks in part to the enthusiastic endorsement of actor-rapper Donald Glover, aka Childish Gambino.
“I think they [Migos] are the Beatles of this generation,” he said during a speech at the Golden Globe Awards in 2017. “That song, Bad and Boujee, is just awesome.”
Takeoff’s non-appearance on this single caused a slight controversy among fans – but he brushed it off, saying he was simply not available for the recording session.
Propelled by their success, the band’s second album, Culture, debuted at number one in the United States. The same year, the band collaborated with Calvin Harris on Slide – their only UK top 10.
Their follow-up album, Culture II, featured production from Kanye West and Pharrell Williams, as well as guest spots from Nicki Minaj, 21 Savage, Cardi B and Drake. Another US number one, it spawned the platinum hits MotorSport, Stir Fry, Walk It Talk It and Narcos.
Around the same time, Offset started dating Cardi B, with whom he now has two children, Kulture and Wave.
Takeoff was the youngest member of the group and often the quietest in public.
“He analyzes a lot, which is why I think his raps are so strong,” Offset told Rolling Stone in 2018. “He’s just powerful.”
The musician released a solo album, The Last Rocket, in 2018 before Migos reunited to record Culture III in 2021.
However, the band broke up earlier this year after a disagreement with Offset.
“We’re about real loyalty, and sometimes that…isn’t displayed,” Quavo told the Big Facts podcast earlier this year. “It has nothing to do with any labels, no paperwork, no QC, nothing. It has something to do with the three brothers.”
Takeoff and Quavo continued as a duo, releasing an album, Only Built For Infinity Links, which reached number seven on the US charts last month.
Shortly before Takeoff’s death, the pair released a Halloween-themed video for their single Messy.
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