Migos rapper Takeoff was shot and killed early this morning (Nov. 1) in Houston, according to multiple reports. The artist, whose real name was Kirshnik Khari Ball, was 28. According to TMZ, the incident happened after a fight broke out over a dice game during a private party at 810 Billiards & Bowling. Takeoff was pronounced dead at the scene, while two other victims were taken to local hospitals.
Fellow Migos member Quavo, who is Takeoff’s uncle, was unharmed in the shooting, according to TMZ.
Takeoff was born June 18, 1994, in Lawrenceville, Ga., and began performing with Quavo and and his cousin Offset when he was still a young teenager. The Atlanta group formed in 2008 and rose to fame with the 2013 single “Versace,” the hit remix of which featured Drake. Migos’ profile was further raised by the chart-topping 2017 album Culture, which was nominated for the best rap album Grammy.
Its follow-up, Culture II, was also a No. 1 hit on The Billboard 200 the following year, while Culture III debuted at No. 2 on the chart in 2021. Takeoff released a solo album, The Last Rocket, in 2018. He and Quavo allegedly split with Offset earlier this year, releasing an album as a duo, Only Built for Infinity Links, in early October.
Takeoff was accused of sexual assault stemming from a June 2020 incident outside of Los Angeles and sued by the alleged victim. Authorities declined to charge the artist with a crime, but the court case was still pending at the time of his death.
SPIN will update this story as more details become available.
Update 11/2: At a press conference yesterday (11/1) afternoon, Sgt. Michael Arrington provided more details of the altercation but did not name a suspect or elaborate on any leads.
“A large group of people had gathered at the front door area just outside the building, and it led to an argument where the shooting took place from the disagreement,” Arrington said. “A lot of people that were there fled the scene and did not stick around to give a statement.”
Houston Police chief Troy Finner added, “we have no reason to believe [Takeoff] was involved in anything criminal at the time.”
