Fans remember slain rapper Takeoff in Atlanta memorial
Fans gathered Friday to remember slain rapper Takeoff, a member of the hip-hop trio Migos, in downtown Atlanta near where the 28-year-old grew up.
State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks, hosted a memorial service to celebrate the rapper's life and music.
Takeoff, born Kirsnick Khari Ball, was shot and killed earlier this month outside a Houston bowling alley. A woman and another man were also wounded during the shooting. No arrests have been made.
Free tickets to the memorial service were available to Georgia residents, and State Farm Arena said the event reached capacity.
Jenifer Loving, 22, stood in line with her infant son, Mateo, for more than an hour before the doors at State Farm Arena opened to fans who were able to get a free ticket. She said Takeoff's death was heartbreaking in part because he was only 28 years old.
Migos' music represented the creativity and culture of the Black community, she said, and she worried the group would be too saddened to make new music — at least for a while.
"It's just something that you can play anywhere, and everybody will just come out and come around and dance," she said. "It's how it brings people together. It's how it makes the whole room just fill up with positivity."
Eric Hood, an Atlanta firefighter, said he was shocked when he heard about Takeoff's death because of the three members of Migos, he was considered the most laid back.
Migos' music was an "escape" for many people, he said, and he was hopeful the event would 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 uplifting, positive, influential members in the society and keep pushing forward."
The venue did not release a program for the event. Emails to representatives for the arena and Migos' record label, Motown, were not immediately returned.
The Grammy Award-nominated trio Migos also included Takeoff's uncle Quavo and cousin Offset. All three were largely raised by Takeoff's mother in an Atlanta suburb.
Migos broke out nearly a decade ago with the 2013 hit "Versace," which hit even greater heights in popularity through a Drake remix.
Takeoff was the youngest of the group and often considered to be its most laidback member.
Instead of flowers or gifts, his family has asked that people make donations to The Rocket Foundation, which was established in Takeoff's honor and aims to prevent gun violence, according to its website.
Tributes from celebrities have poured in on social media following Takeoff's death. Earlier this week, LeBron James dressed like the rapper before a Lakers game. The NBA superstar posted an image of his attire on Instagram, writing: "If you know me any then you know how much I love @yrntakeoff!! Still doesn't feel real to me!"