After weeks of public silence, rappers Quavo and Offset paid tribute to theirMigos band mate Takeoff, who was killed Nov.1 in a shooting outside a Houstonbowling alley.
Offset on Tuesday wrote a tribute on Instagram and said posting aboutTakeoff’s death “still doesn’t feel like reality,” largely echoing hisemotional remarks at his band mate’s funeral at State Farm Arena in Atlantalast Friday.
“Dear Take,” he began the post. “The pain you have left me with is unbearable.My heart is shattered and I have so many things to say, but I can’t find theright words. I’ve been going to sleep and waking up hoping that all of this isa dream, but it’s reality, and reality feels like a nightmare.”
“Every time you would see me, you didnt give me a dap you gave me a hug. Iwish I could hug you one last time. Laugh one last time. Smoke one one lasttime. Perform one last time,” he continued. “I know someone with a soul likeyours is in heaven now. I hope you can see how much we love and miss you. Youhave left a hole in my heart that will never be filled. Give me strength, giveyour brothers strength, give your family strength.”
Concluding the post, Offset wrote: “Even though I know you will always be withus, throw me a lil sign or a beautiful dream. I love you forever, 4L andafter.”
The Grammy-nominated Atlanta-based hip-hop trio Migos consisted of Takeoff —real name Kirshnik Khari Ball — his uncle Quavo, 31, and his cousin Offset,30. The chart-topping hip-hop trio is known for hits such as ” Walk It TalkIt,” “Stir Fry” and “Bad and Boujee.” Takeoff, whose star was on the risebefore the shooting, had been there as the “peaceful” and “chill” member ofthe act.
According to TMZ, Takeoff and Quavo were playing dice at a private party at abowling alley on Nov. 1 when an altercation broke out and someone opened fire.Police said that two other people were also injured and taken to hospitals inprivate vehicles.
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The Harris County medical examiner ruled the death of Takeoff a homicide daysafter the shooting. The “T-Shirt” rapper, died of “penetrating gunshot woundsof head and torso into arm,” according to a preliminary autopsy reportreviewed by The Times. (The report is not yet completed.)
Quavo, who also performed with Takeoff as the duo Unc & Phew, posted hislengthy tribute to his nephew on Saturday, reflecting on their time togetheras children and as adults, highlighting Takeoff’s demeanor, humor, tripletflow and even his lack of punctuality that was dubbed “Takeoff Time.”
“You never competed with me, we were always on the same team,” he wrote.
Quavo said that as kids they dreamed of being professional WWE wrestlersbefore they thought about pursuing hip-hop and noted that Takeoff was “superquiet though.”
“Quietest in the room, always been like that!!!” he wrote. “Nothing everreally bothered Take and he didn’t bother anybody. He was the most unbotheredperson in the world. He never got mad, he never raised his voice, and when hedid he silenced the room because what Take said was law and he wasn’t changinghis mind fa na, not even Unc could.
“This whole time I’ve been trying to figure out what you really are to mebecause nephew wasn’t it. We hated that word ‘nephew’ or when they said ‘Uncand Phew’ cuz we always knew we were way closer than that and it made me feelold too,” Quavo continued. “But I knew you weren’t my brother cuz you are mysister’s son, so I couldn’t say brother. Now I finally get it… you are OURangel watching me and watching us this whole time in living form making sureEVERYONE FELT UR LOVE AND HUGS while u were here and u made our dreams cometrue.
“You will continue to send your blessings down from HEAVEN and I will continueto keep your name alive as long as I live,” he vowed.
Quavo and Offset were among many musicians who mourned the loss of Takeoff onsocial media and at his Atlanta funeral.
The arena was transformed into a church for the three-hour sendoff andfeatured performances from Justin Bieber, Chlöe Bailey and Yolanda Adams, apoem by Drake, and speeches from Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and the foundersof Migos’ label, Quality Control Music, CNN reported.
Rapper and record executive Gucci Mane on Tuesday released a musical tributetitled “Letter to Takeoff” as a sendoff to the Migos rapper and a number offallen hip-hop stars, including XXXTentacion and PnB Rock.
Other recording artists who paid tribute to Takeoff include Kid Cudi, Ja Rule,Desiigner, Chika, Rae Sremmurd, Rick Ross, Keri Hilson, Rauw Alejandro andHalle Bailey.
“Time to give me my flowers, you know what I mean?” Takeoff said in a recentpodcast episode of “Drink Champs,” which went viral in the wake of his death.“I don’t want ’em later on when I ain’t here. … I want ’em right now, bro.”