Takeoff – born Kirshnik Khari Ball – one-third of Migos, has died at age 28, Rolling Stone confirmed. Reps for Takeoff did not immediately respond to POPSUGAR’s request for comment, but according to a TMZ report, the Atlanta rapper was shot and killed at a Houston bowling alley in the early hours of Nov. 1, where he was with other Migos member Quavo (also Takeoff’s uncle). The Houston Police Department was called to the fatal scene after learning of a shooting that took place following a dice game. Takeoff was pronounced dead at the scene.
Takeoff enjoyed much success as a member of Migos, a collective formed with Quavo and Offset (Takeoff’s cousin) in 2008. The trio’s breakout moment came in 2013 when they dropped their “Y.R.N. (Young Rich N*ggas)” mixtape and single “Versace,” followed by their “No Label 2” mixtape. Together, Migos released four studio albums, while Takeoff dropped his first solo effort, “The Last Rocket,” in 2018.
Takeoff recently teamed up with Quavo to form their new rap duo, Unc & Phew. The two released their collaborative album “Only Built For Infinity Links” on Oct. 7, and were in the thick of album promotion. The pair appeared together on Revolt’s “Drink Champs” podcast on Oct. 21 and dropped the music video for one of their album’s tracks, “Messy,” only yesterday.
Takeoff is survived by his uncle and cousin.