The Hip-Hop community is facing its most dire crisis. It seems that young artists, including some of the brightest stars of the music genre, are dying in abundance. They are getting killed more rapidly than ever before. Lives are being taken with no regard.
Around 2:30 AM on November 1st in Houston, one-third of rap’s biggest group, The Migos, Kirshnik Khari Ball, well-known as Takeoff, was shot and killed at only 28 years old.
“I got many call from Houston and outside of Houston, and everyone spoke of what a great young man this is. How peaceful he is. What a great artist,” said Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon.
According to multiple reports, Takeoff and Migos member Quavo were at Houston’s 810 Billiards & Bowling, attending a private event. The duo, who just released the project Only Built For Infinity Links in early October, are reported to have been involved in a dice game with other individuals when an altercation broke out. Takeoff was shot. It is unclear how many times and exactly where, but reports are saying it was either in the head or neck area.
TMZ obtained and released a 911 call about the incident, where a responder said five shots were fired.
“I spoke to this young man’s mother just an hour ago. Flew in here from out of town. I want everybody to understand the pain and suffering of a mother. Very tough,” said Chief Finner. “And I told her, we stand with any victim of violence.”
At the time of the shooting, around 40 to 50 people were at the bowling alley. Police say an argument erupted and led to gunshots. Two people, a 23-year-old man, and a 24-year-old female were taken to an area hospital. Both are expected to survive their injuries.
For almost 10 years now, Migos—also consisting of Offset—have become one of hip-hop’s most bankable commodities and influential forces on the mic. They debuted with their commercial single “Versace” in 2013, and immediately, their rapid-fire bounce flow and high-energy ad-libs caught on with fans and many of their peers.
Migos gained popularity and started getting cosigns from artists such as Drake, who rapped on the ‘Versace” remix. Meanwhile, The Migos flow turned out to a pioneering turn, as many other artists started biting, copying their style, and copying their acclaimed rhyme delivery.
Over the years, Migos albums streamed well over a billion times, and the trio celebrated hits such as “Hannah Montana,” “Fight Night”, “Bad And Boujee,” “Stir Fry” and “Straightening” while becoming mainstays on the festival circuit.
The charismatic Quavo and Offset became breakout stars of the group because of being more vocal in interviews, their celebrity relationships (Quavo dated Saweetie, and Offset is married to Cardi B), and making hits as solo artists and guests on other artist’s songs.
Takeoff was always known as the “quiet” member of the group but was always lyrically sharp and many fans acclaimed him the outfits best lyricist. He was the glue guy of their team.
Takeoff’s death shocked everyone today because he was always calm and chill. No one can imagine him getting involved in any type of
confrontation, let alone one that would cause him to lose his life in such a violent manner.
“This broke my heart,” a close friend of Migos and collaborator Gucci Mane wrote on his Instagram page. “Rest in Peace @yrntakeoff.”
Gucci’s wife, Keyshia Ka’Oir, took to social media, saying: “Takeoff’s death makes no sense, @yrntakeoff is so quiet & never gets into with no one! Come on man. We gotta do better! He didn’t serve this.! Takeoff, we love u! Rest well in Heaven! My goodness. My condolences to his family.”
Master P put out video saying “Hip-Hop is dying too young.” Hip-hop had turned into the new streets. We used to be in the streets trying to get into the hip-hop game, which is crazy,” he added.
The mogul also advised the younger generation of hip-hop stars to make sure they keep professional security around them to watch their backs.
“You gotta move different,” P warned. “Don’t be afraid to hire police details to get you home…. That’s the whole key, living and surviving and getting home to your family.”
Killer Mike says the black on black killing is a plague not just in hip-hop but the Black community as a whole. “May God bless our dead & may God protect our living. Praying for the Migos family. Praying for my people that we may one day end this war
with ourselves.”
Police are still investigating Takeoff’s murder. No suspects have been named as of yet.
