ATLANTA — The funeral for Takeoff, one-third of the Grammy-nominated group Migos, will be held Friday afternoon at Atlanta's State Farm Arena, WSB-TV reported. It’s unclear if it will be a public event.
Pastor Jesse Curney III of New Mercies Christian Church in Lilburn told the station he will officiate the service. A representative told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the artist and his family attended the church.
Takeoff, born Kirsnik Khari Ball, died from a shooting at Houston bowling alley on Nov. 1. He was 28. An autopsy report revealed the rapper died from multiple gun shot wounds to the head and torso. The shooting occurred during an altercation at a private event at 810 Billiards & Bowling.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said in a social media post that he spoke with fellow Migos member Quavo, the uncle of Takeoff, after the shooting. The mayor also spoke with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner for an update on the investigation.
Dickens said Migos have contributed to the culture of Atlanta, leaving many in the community grieving. Takeoff, Dickens said, was the humble and quiet member of the trio. The Atlanta mayor said the death is another reminder that gun violence must be stopped.
“I’m asking us to stop the violence,” he said. “I’m asking us to make sure that we look to ourselves as people who can advocate for peace.”
Dickens also put the blame on guns.
“I do not believe that hip-hop equals violence. I grew up on the music. I’m still into the music,” Dickens said in an Instagram post. “Guns plus people being mad equals bad outcomes.”
Two other people suffered gunshot wounds, but had non-life-threatening injuries. No arrests have been made.
Takeoff was the youngest of the group. Hailing from Gwinnett County, other members of Migos included his uncle Quavo and his cousin Offset. The trio scored their first and only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 with the 2016 smash “Bad and Boujee.” In 2018, Takeoff released his solo album, “The Last Rocket.”
Earlier this year, Takeoff and Quavo announced plans to perform as a duo. They released their debut album “Only Built for Infinity Links” in October.
———