The hip-hop world continues to grapple with the profound loss of Kirsnick Khari Ball, known universally as Takeoff, a pivotal member of the iconic group Migos. His tragic death on November 1, two months ago, sent shockwaves through the music community and deeply impacted his family and close collaborators. Now, in a poignant and candid interview, Cardi B, wife of Takeoff’s cousin and fellow Migos member Offset, has offered a harrowing, intimate account of the night they received the devastating news, shedding light on the immense personal toll of this tragedy.
Cardi B, appearing as the latest guest on The Jason Lee Podcast, recounted the fateful night that transformed their lives. She revealed that she and Offset had initially planned to attend Lala Anthony’s annual Halloween party. However, their evening took an unexpected turn when their four-year-old daughter, Kulture, became unwell, throwing up on Cardi’s costume, leading them to stay home instead.
As the night progressed and they drifted into sleep, the sudden, incessant ringing of phones shattered their peace. Both Offset’s phone and Cardi’s began to ring relentlessly, signaling an urgent and unsettling development. It was Offset who first answered, confronting the unbearable reality that was about to unfold.
Cardi B vividly recalled the terrifying moment, describing how Offset reacted to the news with an immediate, guttural cry. “Offset picked up the phone and he [was] just like, ‘Noooo,’ and he [was] screaming and screaming,” she recounted, her words painting a stark picture of raw, unfiltered grief. The shock in the room was palpable, a sudden intrusion of unbearable pain.
Her immediate instinct was one of disbelief, a desperate attempt to reject the horrifying words. “I smacked him and I said, ‘Don’t say that. Like, don’t say that!’” Cardi B explained, illustrating the mind’s struggle to process such an unimaginable blow. The gravity of the situation quickly became undeniable as Offset’s despair intensified.
His reaction spiraled into a visceral display of anguish. “And then he [was] just screaming and just throwing things, throwing up, running all over, and I was so scared,” she continued, describing the chaos and terror that gripped their home. Cardi B herself was overcome with emotion, confessing, “I was just crying so much. It was terrible.”
The immediate aftermath of Takeoff’s death cast a pall over their household, creating what Cardi B described as an incredibly “sensitive time.” Every minor setback or negative occurrence became a “triggering” event, exacerbating their deep sorrow. The pervasive grief made even the simplest daily interactions fraught with emotional weight.
Despite the overwhelming sorrow, Cardi B expressed a profound sense of gratitude for the moments they had shared. She cherished the memories created during Migos’s time together, a period filled with shared experiences and camaraderie. “I feel like I’m so happy that I experienced all those great moments when they were all together and everything,” she stated, reflecting on a cherished past.
These memories, while precious, also carry a poignant ache. The profound impact of the loss means that some aspects of their shared history are now difficult to revisit. “Sometimes I cannot even listen to Culture because I get emotional,” Cardi B admitted, highlighting how deeply intertwined Takeoff’s presence was with their collective artistic output. Her concluding sentiment was resolute: “I love them forever.”
Takeoff, whose real name was Kirsnick Khari Ball, was tragically killed at the age of 28 following a private gathering at a downtown Houston bowling alley. The autopsy report later specified his primary cause of death as “penetrating gunshot wounds of the head and torso into the arm,” a stark reminder of the violence that claimed his life. Police investigators believe the rapper was an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of an argument that escalated from a dice game involving Quavo and other individuals.
The Houston Police Department’s meticulous investigation into the fatal shooting led to the identification and charging of 33-year-old Patrick Clark, known locally as DJ Pat, with Takeoff’s murder. Investigators meticulously recreated the crime scene and gathered crucial evidence, including surveillance footage showing Clark firing a gun and a wine bottle found at the scene bearing his fingerprints. Homicide Division Sgt. Michael Burrow confirmed these findings, stating, “Through that, we were able to deduce that Patrick Clark is the lethal shooter in the case; that’s why he’s charged with murder.” Clark has maintained his innocence and was released earlier this month after posting a $1 million bond, with his next court appearance scheduled for March.
In the weeks following the tragedy, both Cardi B and Offset have navigated their grief under the intense scrutiny of the public eye. Cardi B took to Twitter in a now-deleted voice note, candidly addressing internet users who she felt were “trying to be funny to get clout” amidst their genuine pain. She articulated the private struggle they faced, contrasting it with any perceived need for public sympathy.
“We live our life normally, but deep down inside our hearts have been so heavy,” Cardi B shared, offering a glimpse into the hidden anguish behind their public facade. She expressed concern that openly detailing their deep emotional experience might be misconstrued as seeking pity. “I feel like if we talk about how we really feel or what motherf—kers really been going through, y’all will start saying, ‘Oh, sympathy.’ And we don’t want any sympathy. We ain’t no charity case.”
Yet, she confessed to the profound challenge of supporting her husband through his sorrow. “But no lie, I have been feeling so hopeless trying to make my husband happy,” she admitted, painting a picture of relentless effort against an overwhelming tide of grief. The emotional toll on Offset has been evident, manifesting in moments of spontaneous tears and a desperate need for distraction.
Cardi B elaborated on the specific ways Offset’s grief has impacted their lives. “Trying to make him crack a smile, seeing him randomly cry, seeing him trying to distract his mind completely, schedules have been changing, trying to keep up with work after everything that he’s been going through these past couple of weeks,” she detailed, outlining the immense personal and professional adjustments necessitated by the tragedy. The profound sorrow has permeated every aspect of their existence.
Offset himself has publicly expressed his enduring pain. In a heartfelt Instagram post on November 15, he conveyed the surreal nature of the loss, writing that the news didn’t “feel like reality.” His words resonated with a deep longing for what was lost: “I wish I could hug you one last time. Laugh one last time. Smoke one [sic] last time. Perform one last time.” The void left by Takeoff’s absence is immense and irreplaceable for him. “I know someone with a soul like yours is in heaven now. I hope you can see how much we love you and miss you. You have left a hole in my heart that will never be filled,” Offset shared, articulating the profound and permanent impact of the loss on his heart.
More recently, Offset acknowledged the ongoing struggle to process his grief. On December 21, he tweeted, “Shit not easy fake smiling and shit tryna keep walking with my head up,” alongside a poignant photo of Takeoff on stage. He has also committed to honoring Takeoff’s memory during his performances, revealing that a massive tribute to his late cousin will be played “before every show.”
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Quavo, Takeoff’s uncle and another Migos member, also shared his raw emotions in a post just days before Offset’s. He reflected on their close bond, transcending the familial labels. “We hated the word ‘nephew’ or when they said ‘Unc and Phew’ because we always knew we were way closer than that, and it made me feel old too,” Quavo wrote, highlighting the depth of their connection. His words conveyed a sense of spiritual reassurance, finding comfort in the belief that Takeoff’s presence continues to guide them. “Now I finally get it… 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.”
The hip-hop community and the city of Atlanta came together to honor Takeoff’s life during a “Celebration of Life” ceremony held at the State Farm Arena on November 11. The event saw a gathering of prominent figures and loved ones, including speeches from Drake, Quavo, and Offset, as well as Pierre “P” Thomas and manager Kevin “Coach K” Lee of Migos’s Quality Control label. Quavo, alongside other family members, served as a pallbearer, a testament to the profound personal connection within the group.
Following the ceremony, Cardi B shared another heartfelt tribute on Instagram, articulating the collective pain felt by those closest to Takeoff. “The emptiness your brothers are feeling is unbearable, and I pray that you give Offset, Quavo, and your friends and family the strength to keep going as they are trying to cope with this loss,” she wrote. Her message conveyed a belief in spiritual signs and comfort, expressing hope that Takeoff is at peace. “I believe that angels send signs and beautiful dreams to loved ones to assure them that they’re watching them and they’re OK and happy…send your mom some of those 🙏🏽.”
Cardi B also reflected on Migos’s significant impact on the music industry, acknowledging that it “will never be the same again.” She pledged to remember his unique contributions: “I will remember your remarkable talent and your dope ass personality.” Her tribute concluded with a prayer for his eternal peace: “I pray that you are at peace and in paradise because you deserve every bit of it. I know God opened the heavenly gates for you with a warm embrace. Rest in power, TakeOff 🚀💔I will also love you 4L & after.”
Beyond the immediate family, many in the music industry mourned Takeoff. James Corden, who had the opportunity to spend time with Migos during a “Carpool Karaoke” segment, remembered Takeoff with particular fondness. Corden shared his enduring memory of Takeoff’s kindness, his laid-back demeanor, and his humor. “My biggest feeling when I was around him was just how much he loved music. He lived for it,” Corden recalled, acknowledging that it was this unwavering passion that “essentially willed Migos into existence.”
Corden also highlighted Takeoff’s exceptional talent, noting, “I never knew, until I heard the news of his passing, that the reason he was called Takeoff is ‘cause often he would just record all of his verses in one take, and that was it.” He recognized Takeoff as an “accomplished musician” whose contributions “changed the needle on trap music.” The British host expressed the profound collective sentiment: “We really lost someone incredibly, incredibly special there, we really, really have.”
In a touching gesture to honor his memory and continue his legacy, Takeoff’s team has encouraged fans to contribute to The Rocket Foundation. This charity is dedicated to supporting initiatives that actively save lives through proven, community-based solutions aimed at preventing gun violence. The foundation’s initial round of funding is slated to benefit key organizations working in this crucial area, including the Community Justice Action Fund, H.O.P.E. Hustlers, Live Free, and Offenders Alumni Association.
The raw, unvarnished accounts from Cardi B, Offset, and Quavo reveal the devastating reality of losing a loved one under such tragic circumstances. Their public expressions of grief, while intensely personal, also serve as a poignant reminder of the pervasive issue of gun violence and its far-reaching consequences. The Migos family, along with a vast community of fans and peers, continues to navigate this profound loss, striving to keep Takeoff’s impactful legacy alive.
As the world remembers Kirsnick Khari Ball, the young artist known as Takeoff, his music and spirit continue to resonate. The heartache shared by those closest to him underscores the enduring impact of a life cut short, yet it also highlights the strength found in collective memory and the pursuit of a lasting tribute through initiatives like The Rocket Foundation. The journey of healing for his family and the broader community is ongoing, a testament to the indelible mark Takeoff left on their hearts and on the landscape of modern music.
