Fans gathered in downtown Atlanta on Friday to honor deceased rapper Takeoff, a member of the hip-hop group Migos who was 28 years old.
State Farm Arena, the home of the Atlanta Hawks, conducted a memorial service honoring the life and music of the rapper.
Takeoff, born Kirsnick Khari Ball, was shot and killed outside a Houston bowling alley earlier this month. Additionally, a woman and another guy were injured during the shooting. No arrests have been made.
Georgia residents were offered free tickets to the memorial ceremony, and State Farm Arena reported that the event had achieved capacity.
The Celebration of Life for Takeoff of Migos will be held at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on November 11, 2022. DEREK WHITE / Getty Images
Jenifer Loving, age 22, and her infant son, Mateo, waited in line for more than an hour before State Farm Arena’s doors opened to those given complimentary tickets. She stated that the death of Takeoff was particularly tragic because he was only 28 years old.
She stated that Migos’ music represented the creativity and culture of the Black community, and she feared that the trio would be too depressed to create new music for a long.
“It’s just something that you can play everywhere, and everyone will come out and dance,” she explained. “It is how it unites individuals. It’s the way it fills the entire space with positivity.”
Eric Hood, an Atlanta firefighter, was startled to learn of Takeoff’s passing because he was the most laid-back of the three Migos members.
Many people used Migos’ music as a “escape,” he added, and he hoped that the memorial will leave the rapper’s family and the rest of the group with lasting memories of him.
“I am praying for them,” he stated. “I hope they continue to be inspiring, influential, and positive members of society and continue to move forward.”
The venue did not distribute an event program. Reps for the arena and Migos’ record label, Motown, did not immediately respond to emails.
Migos were nominated for a Grammy Award alongside Takeoff’s uncle Quavo and cousin Offset. Takeoff’s mother mostly reared the three in an Atlanta suburb.
Migos rose to prominence nearly a decade ago with the 2013 hit “Versace,” whose popularity was boosted by a Drake remix.
Takeoff was the youngest member of the group and was frequently seen as the most laid-back.
Instead of flowers or gifts, his family has requested donations to The Rocket Foundation, which, according to its website, was established in Takeoff’s honor to prevent gun violence.
Following Takeoff’s death, celebrities have flooded social media with tributes. LeBron James dressed as the rapper before a Lakers game earlier this week. The NBA superstar uploaded a photo of his attire to Instagram with the caption: “If you know me, you are aware of how much I adore @yrntakeoff! Still doesn’t feel real to me!”