ATLANTA — It’s not hip-hop music leading to violence, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said this week. But there are too many guns ending up in the wrong hands, he said.
“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.”
Dickens said he waited to speak publicly about the death of recording artist Takeoff, whose real name was Kirsnick Khari Bell, until he had spoken to others about the shooting. Takeoff, one-third of the Atlanta group Migos, was killed outside a Houston bowling alley earlier this week, but investigators don’t believe he was the intended target.
The 28-year-old died from gunshots to both the head and torso, according to autopsy findings released Wednesday by The Associated Press. The investigation continues into the shooting and no arrests have been announced.
Investigators are looking to speak with the 40 or so people who attended the private party at the bowling alley and fled after the gunfire, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner has said. Two others were also shot, but their injuries were not believed life-threatening, according to police.
Dickens said 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 the group has 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.”
The White House also condemned recent gun violence, including the Houston shooting. Former Atlanta Braves and Falcons star Deion Sanders, now the head coach of Jackson State in Mississippi, said Wednesday he won’t allow his players to leave their hotel when the team travels to Houston this weekend to face Texas Southern.
Countless tributes to Takeoff were posted on social media, including one from Migos’ record label, Quality Control, which mourned Takeoff’s death in a statement posted on Instagram.
“Senseless violence has taken another life from this world and we are devastated,” the statement read.
Migos first broke through in 2013 with the massive hit “Versace” and followed with four top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. The group released three albums, including “Culture,” “Culture II” and “Culture III,” with the first two hitting No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
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