Takeoff, Migos Rapper, Dies at 28 in Houston Shooting

Takeoff, one third of the hip-hop trio Migos, was shot and killed in Houston, a representative for the city’s police department has confirmed to Variety. He was 28.

The rapper was shot and killed at a bowling alley in downtown Houston where he and Quavo, his uncle and Migos bandmate, were playing dice at around 2:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

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Officers told KPRC Houston that a crowd of approximately 40 or 50 people was at the scene when the shooting took place and there was a man with a gunshot wound to the head or neck. Takeoff was pronounced dead at the scene, while Quavo was unharmed. Two other people were shot and taken to the hospital.

A rep for the group said a statement will be issued later today.

Takeoff, whose real name is Kirsnik Khari Ball, was born in Lawrenceville, Ga., in 1994. In 2008 he began rapping with Quavo (Quavious Keyate Marshall) and his cousin Offset (Kiari Kendrell Cephus). Originally called Polo Club, the trio changed their name to Migos and released their first mixtape, “Juug Season,” in 2011.

Their breakout hit, “Versace,” vaulted them to stardom in 2013 and landed a remix from Drake. Since then, Migos has become one of the most successful hip-hop acts in recent years and one of the most successful rap groups of all time, with some 20 platinum and gold singles and albums certified by the RIAA, including their Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Bad and Boujee.” Their signature sound — short, staccato lyrics from one answered by the other two with a word or verbal sound effect — has been often imitated. Migos’ other Top 10 hits include “Stir Fry,” “MotorSport” with Cardi B and “Walk It Talk It” with Drake.

While there was no official word on the group splitting, in recent years Offset has been working solo while Takeoff and Quavo had been working together as a duo. Last month, the pair released a duo album, “Built for Infinity Links.”

Takeoff released one solo album, 2018’s “The Last Rocket,” which debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200.

Just last week Takeoff and Quavo on Revolt TV’s “Drink Champs” for an interview. Responding graciously to a compliment, he said, “Give me my flowers, I don’t want ’em when I ain’t here.”