Several artists, fans, friends, and family of the late Migos rapper Takeoff have said their farewells to the 28-year-old, who was killed on November 1st following a shooting incident at a Houston bowling alley.
The star-studded ceremony saw the likes of Drake, Justin Bieber, Chloe Bailey, Yolanda Adams, and Byron Cage remember the late rapper through poems, singing, and heartfelt tributes.
Offset, Takeoff’s cousin and bandmate appeared to be struggling to control his emotions as he paid respect to the late relative, repeatedly apologizing while hunching his head over and hiding his face behind his dreadlocks.
“I love you, dog. I love you,” he said. “I wish we could laugh again. I wish I could smoke one with you.”
In his final words, Offset praised Migos for changing the future of music, stating, “You did it, Take,” before going on to advocate for more brotherhood and fellowship, after which he invited the audience to join him in prayer.
Other family members of the late rapper took the stage to share their accounts of the humble, wise, peaceful young man who turned out to be a star amongst his peers.
His mother, Titania Davenport-Treet, recounted how the rapper always had a distinguished voice, saying: “I could tell his cry from any other child.” Adding that his unique voice must have been God-sent.
Gospel music played for almost an hour to start the event. The stage was decorated with white flowers, and Takeoff’s casket was placed at the bottom of mother-of-pearl-inspired steps. A choir sang while acrobats dressed as angels performed in the far corners while hanging from white ribbons. The arena was surrounded by an infinity symbol with Takeoff’s distinctive rocket logo in the middle, a homage to both his most recent works and the way he will always be remembered.
Bieber also took performed while a box of candles lightened up the stage, as he performed “Ghost” with the accompanying piano chords.
Bieber sang softly, “And if you can’t be next to me/Your memory is ecstasy/I miss you more than life.”
In his eulogy, Drake drew inspiration from British performer Joyce Grenfell and author Maya Angelou, as he referenced the former: “If I should go before the rest of you/Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone/Nor when I’m gone speak in a Sunday voice/But be the usual selves that I have known.”
Then he cited Angelou’s poem “When Magnificent Trees Fall,” which addresses how it is natural to feel sad when great trees are fallen or when great people pass away, but it is important to keep in mind that they lived.
“They existed. They existed/We can be. Be and be better/For they existed,” Drake said.
He goes on to recite a poem he penned himself, dubbed “We Should Do That More,” recalling how he met Migos on their 2018 54-city tour. He stated that, when he remembers the Swiss watch – an Audemars Piguet – that Takeoff had given him as a present, he immediately tears up.
“I miss performing with my brothers,” he said. “We should do that more.”
Other memorable and passionate tributes include Hailey Bailey’s rendition of Beyonce’s “Heaven,” and Adams’ performance of “The Battle is Not Yours.”
Education: Computer Network Engineering, Computer Desktop Administration
Fave Song: Destiny's Child 'Dangerously in love'
Fave Colour: Grey.
With £1m what would you do: I would do my part to provide opportunities to the less fortunate. Then do my best to change the world in my own way through sports and talent building.
