o matter how Atlanta’s music community first learned, on 1 November, that Takeoff had been killed – whether via alarmed texts or social media posts – the overwhelming response was one of disbelief. Not just because one-third of rap superstar trio Migos had died at age 28 from a shooting at a Houston bowling alley, but also because the whole incident seemed so out of character for Takeoff in the first place.
Instead they remember Migos’ youngest member, born Kirshnik Khari Ball, for his ambition, which was impressive even before 2013 breakout hit Versace. At 16, he was too young to drink when Migos, courting its DJs and buying sections to make a splashy impression before patrons had even heard a single verse.
“Sometimes [Takeoff] didn’t even go out,” he says. “We’d come back home and he’d still be awake – smoking, chilling, vibing. And you check the YouTube history and it’s Tupac and Biggie, shit like that. This kid’s 16, studying his craft – like, ‘I ain’t going out with you tonight. I’m going to stay here and listen to Big, Pac, Eminem.’”