Quavo has paid tribute to TakeOff with a heartfelt performance at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
The Migos rapper honored his late nephew and groupmate by performing “Without You,” which he released earlier this year following TakeOff’s death, during the ceremony’s In Memoriam segment.
With half of his face covered by a black mask, Quavo was joined by the Maverick City Music choir as images of musicians who have passed away in the last year flashed on the giant screen behind him, including Coolio, DJ Kay Slay and Hurricane G.
Perhaps the most powerful moment came towards the end, when Huncho walked to the mic at the front of the stage and held aloft TakeOff’s chain as a photo of the late rapper was broadcast inside the Crypto.com Arena.
Quavo holds up Takeoff's chain during emotional Grammy tribute #GRAMMYspic.twitter.com/8dV7MdI6x4
— HipHopDX (@HipHopDX) February 6, 2023
TakeOff (real name Kirsnick Khari Ball) was shot and killed age 28 outside a bowling alley in Houston, Texas on November 1.
The Migos hitmaker is said to have been an innocent bystander to a dice game involving Quavo and other men when an altercation broke out and shots were fired, striking TakeOff in the head and torso. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 33-year-old man named Patrick Clark has been charged with his murder. Clark, known locally as DJ Pat, has maintained his innocence and was released from jail on a $1 million bond in January.
Quavo penned a heartfelt letter to TakeOff shortly after his death, in which he reflected on their relationship and achievements while mourning his sudden passing.
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“you are OUR angel watching me and watching us this whole time in living form making sure EVERYONE FELT UR LOVE AND HUGS while u here and u made our dreams come true,” he wrote. “Whenever u spoke it, it manifested it when u said ‘God gonna do it’, he did it.
“I’m just proud be in your life. I’m proud to be ya UNCLE. I’m proud we saw the world and done things we couldn’t ever imagine together. We laughed way more than we ever argued and when we did I always was in the wrong every time…I guess mama made that rule too!”
He continued: “I’m proud to say I’ve seen your blessings, I’ve seen you bless me, you blessed mama, you blessed Shara, you blessed Treet, Heaven and Zeke. You will continue to send your blessings down from Heaven and I will continue to keep your name alive as long as I live.
“It’s always my responsibility to look after my nephews and nieces I will do that before we make moves or any decisions we gon always say ‘what would Take think?’ Always been, ain’t nun gonna change.
“Me and u knew we gon always be with each other for life and jus like now we gon see each other again. I love you with all my heart. I’ll never leave you I guess God jus ain’t need my help. So can you ask Him for me what I gotta do to be with you again!!!”
