American rapper Take Off from the chart-topping band Migos was shot dead in Houston, Texas.
The young man was killed in a shooting at a bowling alley, where he was playing dice with his uncle and bandmate, Quavo, on Tuesday morning.
A representative of the singer, whose real name is Kirchnik Kari Paul, 28, confirmed the news to the press.
The Migos are one of the most influential bands of their generation and pioneers in rap, but they disbanded earlier this year.
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Many of the band’s songs achieved international success, most notably “Bad and Boujee”, “Versace” and “Walk It Talk It”.
The shooting took place at approximately 02:30 local time (07:30 GMT) on a balcony outside the bowling alley building.
Police said 40 to 50 guests were at a private party when someone opened fire. Security guards in the area heard the shooting but did not see the shooter.
The officers said that when they arrived at the scene, they found a large crowd, and a man in his twenties with a gunshot wound to the head or neck. His death was announced at the scene.
Reports that Quavo was also injured in the accident have not been confirmed. Police said two other victims were taken to hospital in private cars.
Drew Findling, Take Off’s attorney, told the New York Times that the rapper’s death was “a devastating loss, especially for Atlanta.”
“There was a sense of peace in his surroundings,” Wendling said, adding, “The world was beginning to recognize Take Off. It was in its time of brilliance.”
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The obituary was posted on social media, and rapper Lil Pump wrote on Instagram: “A legend forever, I can’t believe it.” Singer Ja Rule also posted a dove emoji and wrote, “Send love to friends and family.”
Music executive Cole Bennett tweeted, “Nothing makes sense anymore. Nothing at all.”
Actress Masika Kalesha added, “Take Off was probably the most out of the box rappers. He doesn’t bother anyone and he stays away.”
pioneers
Take-Off, Offset, and Quavo Migos grew up together in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and came to represent the state capital, Atlanta, arguably the spiritual home of trap music.
Take-Off said the music offered the band members, bonding with each other, a way to escape poverty.
He told The Fader, “When I was growing up, I was trying to succeed in music. I used to spend most of my time doing (hip hop music and dance), and that’s exactly what I like to do. I had nothing else to do.”
“In my spare time I’d record myself. I’m looking for a rhythm… just making something and creating for myself. I’ve been waiting for Quavo back from football training to play my songs for him.”
The band was originally called “Polo Club”, and they first appeared under the name Migos in 2010, and recorded their first hit with the song “Versace”, which was redistributed by the famous singer Drake, in 2013.
“The Beatles of this generation”
Their rise was halted briefly in 2015, when Offset was sent to prison after a police raid on the group’s bus after a show at Georgia State University.
Later that year, the trio released the tape “Back to the Bando,” which featured the hit song “Look at My Dab” – which popularized the dabbing movement of many athletes. Even politicians later.
The band became famous in 2016 with the hit song “Bad and Boujee”, which went viral and part of its lyrics led to several jokes.
The song was a slow success, topping the charts in the US two months after its release, thanks in part to the endorsement it received from rapper Donald Glover, better known as Childish Gambino.
“I think they [Megos] are the Beatles of this generation,” he said during a speech at the Golden Globe Awards in 2017. “That song, Bad and Boogie is great.”
Migos with Cardi B at the 2018 Grammy Awards
Top image, GETTY IMAGES
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Migos with Cardi B at the 2018 Grammy Awards, where the group was nominated for two awards
The lack of Take Off in that song caused minor controversy among fans, but he ignored it, claiming that he was simply not able to attend the recording session.
The band’s second album, Culture, reached number one in the United States upon its release. The same year, the band collaborated with Calvin Harris on “Slide”, their only song to reach the UK Top 10 chart.
The album Culture II was followed by Kanye West and Pharrell Williams, as well as songs with Nicki Minaj, Savage 21, Cardi B and Drake. It also ranked first in the United States.
Around the same time, Offset began dating Cardi B, and they now have two children.
Take-Off was the youngest member of the band and often the quietest in public.
Take Off released a solo album in 2018, before reuniting Migos to record Culture III in 2021.
“He analyzes (songs) a lot, which is why I think his rap songs are very powerful. He is very powerful,” Offset told Rolling Stone magazine in 2018.
But the band disbanded earlier this year after a falling out with Offset.
Take Off and Quavo continued to work as a duo, releasing a new album that reached the center