Again. It has happened again. A generation of rappers are not making it out of their 20s due to violence.
Not even six weeks after the Los Angeles shooting that ended in the death of 30-year-old rapper PnB Rock, the hip-hop community is now mourning the loss of Migos member, Takeoff.
The 28-year-old Atlanta rapper Kirshnik Khari Ball was shot and killed on November 1 in Houston. Police are still investigating, but here’s what we know about the fatal shooting.
Takeoff’s death is the most recent in an unfortunate trend of rappers who aren’t making it out of their 20s due to gun violence:
TAKEOFF (28)
Authorities received a call after 2:30 a.m. local time about a man shot at 810 Billiards & Bowling Houston. Takeoff was one-third of the hit Migos group and was with group member and his real-life uncle, Quavo, at the time of his death. It has been reported that an altercation surrounding a dice game led to the death.
PNB ROCK (30)
PnB Rock was shot and killed while eating at Roscoe’s Chicken N’ Waffles in Los Angeles on September 12. His death sparked an ongoing conversation in the rap community regarding posting whereabouts on social media. Police announced they had charged three people in connection with the killing of the rapper.
POP SMOKE (20)
Brooklyn Drill rapper
Pop Smoke was
shot and killed during a home invasion in Hollywood Hills on February 19, 2020. The rapper was 20 years old at the time. He is considered a pioneer of the Brooklyn drill sound and known for his big hits’ Welcome To The Party’ and ‘Dior.’ His posthumous album ‘Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the ‘Moon’ debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums charts.
KING VON (26)
Chicago rapper
King Von was fatally shot on November 6, 2020, outside of an Atlanta Hookah Lounge. He was 26. Von is known for his association with rapper Lil Durk and the ‘Crazy Story’ breakout single.
XXXTENTACION (20)
XXXTentaction was
gunned down on June 18, 2018, in a reported robbery after leaving a motorsports store in Florida. The 20-year-old rapper was wildly popular at the time of his death and jumped to fame after his song ‘Look At Me’ went viral on social media in 2016.
XXL featured XXXTentacion in the 2017 Freshman Class, and his debut album ‘?’ went No.1 when it was released. At the time, he had been awaiting trial for a domestic violence incident involving his pregnant girlfriend.
FBG DUCK (26)
FBG Duck, a famous Chicago rapper, was reportedly killed in broad daylight while shopping in a busy Chicago area.
MO3 (28)
Dallas rapper Mo3 is dead after being gunned down on a Texas interstate. Mo3 is most famous for his collaborations with Boosie and rapper Kevin Gates. He was 28 years old.
JAYDAYOUNGAN (24)
Popular Louisiana rapper JayDaYoungan was shot and killed outside his home in Bogalusa, Louisiana. The rapper gained success when he signed with Atlanta records. He has worked with artists like Latto, Moneybagg Yo, Lil Durk, and Boosie.
DRAKEO THE RULER (28)
LA rapper, Drakeo The Ruler was stabbed to death on December 19, 2021, at an LA music festival. Drake was influential in his hometown and known for his song with Drake.
