Dozens of fans lined up early at the arena, home to the Atlanta Hawks, despite rainy weather. A massive sign outside was lit up with the rapper’s image.
It was a sad and somber day for family, friends and fans of beloved rapper TakeOff, as thousands gathered inside Atlanta’s State Farm Arena to celebrate a life that was taken far too soon.
Big-named artists from all over the music industry showed up to pay tribute, as the memorial featured performances from Justin Bieber, in addition to Atlanta’s own Chloe Bailey performing alongside Yolonda Adams. Drake was also in attendance to observe and remember. TakeOff, part of the Grammy Award-nominated trio Migos with uncle Quavo and cousin Offset, was shot and killed earlier this month outside a Houston bowling alley. A woman and another man were also hurt in the shooting. No arrests have been made.
Outside of the arena, fans also honored the rapper by recalling the times they met him, went to a concert or even named their favorite songs.
“TakeOff and the Migos have been such an inspiration to other artists,” one fan outside the arena said. “They changed the face of the game and to have TakeOff no longer be with us at 28 years old, the youngest member of the group is extremely devastating and it’s almost unbelievable.”
TakeOff, a Lawrenceville native, was part of the breakout Migos had nearly a decade ago with the 2013 hit “Versace,” which hit even greater heights in popularity through a Drake remix. The trio was largely raised by TakeOff’s mother in the Atlanta suburb. As much as fans said they’re hurting, they know the pain his family is feeling is forever.
