Migos Rapper Takes Off Memorized At Bieber, Drake’s Atlanta Memorial – The Hollywood Reporter

Fans honored the musical legacy of deceased rapper Takeoff on Friday at a memorial service in Atlanta, near where the artist grew up, that drew Justin Bieber, Drake and other big names in the industry music industry.

Takeoff, part of the Grammy-nominated trio Migos with his uncle Quavo and cousin Offset, was fatally shot earlier this month outside a Houston bowling alley. A woman and another man were also injured in the shooting. No arrest warrants have been issued.

Jennifer Loving, 22, stood in line with her infant son, Mateo, for more than an hour before the doors of the State Farm Arena opened to fans who could get free tickets. She said Takeoff’s death was heartbreaking in part because he was only 28 years old.

Migos’ music represents the creativity and culture of the Black community, she said, and she worries that the group will be too sad to make new music – at least for a while.

“It’s just something that you can play anywhere, and people will come out and dance,” she said. “That’s how it brings people together. That’s how it fills the room with positivity.”

Eric Hood, a firefighter in Atlanta, said he was shocked when he heard that Takeoff had died because of the three members of Migos, he was considered the most relaxed.

Migos’ music is an “escape” for many, he said, and he hopes the event will leave the rapper’s family and the rest of the group with lasting memories of him.

“I pray for them,” he said. “I hope they continue to be active, active, influential members of society and keep moving forward.”

Dozens of fans lined up very early at the stadium, home of the Atlanta Hawks, despite the rainy weather. A large sign outside is lit with the rapper’s image.

Georgia residents have free tickets to the memorial, but State Farm Arena announced before Friday that the event was fully booked and fans without tickets should not visit downtown.

The organizers did not release a program for the event or allow media inside. Several fans leaving the event confirmed Bieber and Drake’s presence, and said Offset and Quavo also spoke.

Jeffrey Wilson, of Atlanta, said the event is ongoing.

Wilson said: ‘His mother was up there and I could see her tears. “I personally feel the kinship, like I know him personally.”

Tyler Williams drove for hours from Montgomery, Alabama, on Friday morning with his 2-year-old son, Ashton.

He probably won’t remember it, he said of his son. “But it’s a must-have as he gets older, to know that he’s been there.”

Migos exploded onto the scene nearly a decade ago with the 2013 hit “Versace,” which gained even more popularity through Drake’s remix. The trio was largely raised by Takeoff’s mother in suburban Atlanta.

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said the day after the shooting that Takeoff, born Kirsnick Khari Ball, was “respected” and had “no reason to believe he was involved in any way” any crime at the time.”

Migos’ record label, Quality Control, mourned Takeoff’s death in a statement posted on Instagram calling it “senseless violence and a stray bullet.” The police did not say anything about the lost gunfire.

Instead of flowers or presents, his family asked people to donate to The Rocket Foundation, which was founded in Takeoff’s honor and aims to prevent gun violence, according to the organization’s website.