Migos Rapper Takeoff Dies In Houston Shooting: He Was 28
Takeoff, a rapper with the Georgia-based hip-hop trio Migos whose string of hits earned them an appearance on a 2016 episode of the TV series Atlanta and two Grammy nominations, was shot and killed at a downtown Houston bowling alley and pool hall early Tuesday morning. He was 28.
Takeoff’s death was confirmed to NBC News by his attorney, Drew Findling. “Along with my firm, I am devastated by the tragic death of Kirshnik Ball, known to his fans as Takeoff,” the attorney said in the statement. “Takeoff was not only a brilliant musical artist with unlimited talent, but also a uniquely kind and gentle soul. He will be greatly missed now and always.”
More from Deadline
Julie Powell Dies: Author Whose 'Julie & Julia' Memoir Was Adapted Into Hit Film Was 49
K-Pop Singer & Actor Lee Ji-han Among Dead In Seoul Crowd Surge Tragedy
Early reports indicated that local police had confirmed the identity of the man killed in the shooting, but Houston police have only confirmed the shooting, that Takeoff was present and that officials will publicly confirm the victim’s identity after family have been notified.
According to local news reports, Takeoff, whose real name is Kirshnik Khari Ball, was at the 810 Billiards & Bowling establishment with his uncle and Migos bandmate Quavo (Quavious Keyate Marshall) when the shooting started around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. Police initially confirmed only that the two musicians were among the more than 40 people at the entertainment hall, and that one man had suffered a gunshot wound to the head or neck.
Houston police later confirmed that Takeoff had died at the scene. Two other people suffered apparently non-life-threatening injuries; Quavo was not injured.
Houston’s KTRK described the event as a private party with about 40 to 50 people in attendance was being held until 1 a.m., but that the party carried over until about 2 a.m.
Migos launched its career in in 2008 when the three rappers from Lawrenceville, Georgia — in addition to Takeoff and Quavo, the group included cousin Kiari Kendrell Cephus, who goes by the stage name Offset.
The trio released the single “Versace” in 2013, taken from their mixtape Y.R.N., and followed up with singles “Fight Night” (2014) and “Look at My Dab” (2015). They reached their widest success with four Billboard Hot 100 top 10 entries “Bad and Boujee” featuring Lil Uzi Vert (2016), “MotorSport” with Nicki Minaj and Cardi B (2017), “Stir Fry” (2018) and “Walk It Talk It” featuring Drake (2018).
The trio released its debut album Yung Rich Nation in 2015.
In 2016, the group made an appearance as a fictionalized version of itself in the first-season episode “Go For Broke” of the TV series Atlanta. Several albums followed, though most recently group member Offset had been performing solo material.
Houston police are investigating the shooting.
Best of Deadline
Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
