Takeoff’s Funeral
Takeoff’s funeral proceedings saw thousands gathering at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia to mourn the late rapper.
Family members, friends, fans and fellow celebrities gathered to honor the rapper whose real name was Kirsnick Khari Ball.
The Migos rapper was shot dead on November 1 at age 28.
Free tickets to the memorial event which were open to Georgia residents were all grabbed (State Farm Arena has a capacity of 21,000).
During the ceremony, Atlanta mayor Andre Dickens presented Takeoff’s family with the Phoenix Award, the city’s highest honor.
Mourners were asked to donate to the Rocket Foundation. The Foundations is a nonprofit organization founded in Takeoff’s honor to prevent gun violence.
Performances from Justin Bieber and more
Takeoff’s funeral service was dubbed “A Celebration of Life”.
Justin Bieber, Yolanda Adams, Byron Cage and Chloe Bailey performed at the funeral ceremony.
Other celebrities that were also present included Cardi B, Gucci Mane, City Girls, YG, Lil Yachty, Teyana Taylor, Cee-Lo Green, Rich the Kid and Mustard.
Speeches from Offset, Quavo and more
Offset and Quavo, both former bandmates and relatives, made speeches at the memorial.
Quavo made a moving speech remembering his nephew. “You always made sure I did it first so you could do it right with me.
“You never competed with me. We was always on the same team, ‘cause you hated playing against me ‘cause I always played too hard or too rough,” said Quavo.
Offset, his cousin also praised the way he rapped.
Drake honored the late rapper’s legacy in his speech. He went on to compare himself and the Migos group to The Rat Pack.
Drake has postponed his New York concert in order to attend the funeral.
Who was Kirsnick Khari Ball?
Kirsnick Khari Ball, popularly known as Takeoff was a founding member of the rap group Migos alongside Quavo and Offset.
The group would go on to dominate the rap game with a string of hits including their breakout banger Versace, which went on to be remixed by Drake.
Migos hit it big with their 2016 single Bad and Boujee which features Lil Uzi Vert, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
They released many hits including Narcos, MotorSport, T-Shirt, What The Price and Straightenin to name a few.
Takeoff was shot just after he and Quavo had released visuals for their new song Messy.
His official obituary described him as “a most gentle soul, with a peace about him alongside a wise demeanor far beyond his years.”
“Endearing and impressive both on stage and in private life, Takeoff commanded respect wherever his path took him from musicians, family, industry and peers alike,” read the obituary.
It also stated that “there are no words or sentiments conveyed that could aptly encompass the love so many had for him and the impact he made on this world.”
“Takeoff would want the world to see the light in what he created and keep lifting each other up and supporting the creations people put into the world,” it read in part.
“He’s now up with there with the stars he loved so much and remains in all our ethers on a daily basis living on through his music and the love he brought to so many.”
How the Migos rapper died
According to the coroner’s report, the rapper was shot several times and the cause of death was listed as “penetrating gunshot wounds”.
He was shot outside a private party hosted at a Houston bowling alley. Two other victims in the incident were also taken to nearby hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.
Houston police chief Troy Finner has called on witnesses to bring forward information about the shooting.
So far now arrests have been made although police have highlighted persons of interest.
Since the tragic news of his death, celebrities have been taking to social media to pay tribute to the late Migos rapper.
Many have also gone on to condemn gun violence.
