What Quavo And Offset Have Been Doing Since Takeoff's Death
The tragic news hit hip hop like a big, destructive lightning bolt: The rapper Takeoff, who was one-third of Migos, was shot and killed at 810 Billiards & Bowling in Houston, Texas on November 1, 2022. He was just 28 years old. More than likely, as people were beginning the long process of mentally absorbing the tragedy, they probably thought about the remaining Migos members, as well, Quavo and Offset.
All three men are related to each other, with Quavo being Takeoff's uncle and Offset the late rapper's cousin. That means they've had to deal with Takeoff's passing in two ways: One, grieve and figure out how to go on without their beloved family member; and two, decide what to do with Migos now that Takeoff's gone. So, what have Quavo and Offset been doing since losing Takeoff, and how have they been coping?
Since there were a lot of things going on within the group behind scenes, we've answered those questions while detailing where the Migos members stood with each other in the months leading up to Takeoff's death.
Offset delivered some heartfelt words
If nothing else, the fact that Takeoff's funeral was held in Atlanta's State Farm Arena and not a huge church shows how big of an event it was. The sad day took place on November 11, 2022, and it was open to the public for free, but only for residents of Georgia. Some of the celebrities who paid their respects during the service included Cardi B, City Girls, Cee-Lo Green, Drake, Gucci Mane, Lil Yachty, Russell Simmons, and Teyana Taylor, with the likes of Yolanda Adams, Chlöe Bailey, and Justin Bieber performing. Atlanta's Mayor Andre Dickens was in attendance, as well.
A seemingly shattered Offset spoke about Takeoff at one point, giving what could be called a half-tribute, half-prayer. He also brought up Migos being credited for introducing a triple-time rap flow, in which artists rap in triplets. "[You] changed the culture of music forever, you did that, Take. You changed that flow," he said on stage (via HipHopDX). "That flow came from Take, the originator. The originator of that flow. He changed the music. ... Lord give us the strength, give us the strength, the family and everybody, give us the strength. I don't want to question God, but I just don't get it." Offset's words reportedly left many in the arena weeping.
Quavo broke his silence in a touching letter
11 days after Takeoff's death, Quavo shared his first post about it on Instagram. In a heartfelt letter to Takeoff, he recalled their childhood days together, noting how the late rapper would always look at him to lead. "Since we were kids you been by my side lookin up at me, them eyes waiting on me to make the move. Then you followed up right behind me," wrote Quavo. "You always made sure I did it first so you can do it right with me. You never competed with me, we were always on [the] same team."
Further down the letter, Quavo said what people like 21 Savage stated, that Takeoff was a gentle soul, one who didn't crave the center of attention, despite being a famous rapper. "Super quiet, though, quietest in the room but paid attention to everything going on in the room, always been like that!!!" Quavo wrote of Takeoff. He then described his late nephew as one of the most laid-back people on earth, writing that Takeoff very rarely raised his voice and always seemed at peace. "I'm proud to say I've seen your blessings. ... You will continue to send your blessings down from Heaven, and I will continue to keep your name alive as long as I live."
The post was flooded with kind words, prayer emojis, and lots of love afterward. As of this writing in February 2023, it has over 3 million likes.
Takeoff's uncle released a tribute song
On January 4, 2023, Quavo released a new song called "Without You," in which he reminisces about his late nephew and their days before fame. Based on the tune's lyrics, Quavo seems to prefer those days instead of his time with Migos.
"Tears rolling down my eyes / Can't tell you how many times I cried / Days ain't the same without you / I don't know if I'm the same without you / Remember the days we smoked big blunts together? / Remember the days we rocked out Coachella? / Remember the days we ain't have our s**t together? / On the Nawfside, times were hard, but them days was better," sings Quavo over emotional keys and head-nodding drums. "I wish I had a time machine / Just so you can take a ride with me / I miss just how you smile at me / Unc and Phew until infinity."
The video for "Without You," which is in black and white, features a single camera shot showing Quavo sitting in a chair just listening to the song. One can say that, despite the video being stripped down and simple, it captures the cut's somber mood perfectly.
Offset took his pain to social media
Just like Quavo, Offset expressed his pain about Takeoff's death through a heartfelt Instagram letter on November 15, 2022, which also included photos and videos of his late cousin. Three days later, he posted a photo of himself holding his head, writing in the caption that, without his family member and bandmate, "Life will never be the same." The following month, Offset took to Twitter to admit that his cousin's death had understandably left him "in a dark place." Shortly after, the father-of-five also told people via his Instagram Stories to only refer to Takeoff positively online, writing, "Don't post Takeoff unless it's in a good light please!"
Other posts that he shared about the "The Last Rocket" creator included a photo of Takeoff looking incredibly snazzy in a light gray suit. "Missing everything bout you specially that smile," Offset wrote in the caption. He also shared a video on Instagram that showed himself and Takeoff shaking hands and hugging, sharing, "Not a day go by man this s**t still unreal to me." On top of that, the Georgia rapper changed his profile picture to an image of Takeoff.
Quavo celebrated with the Bulldogs
After people witnessed Quavo mourn his nephew's death on social media and in song form, some might've been happy to see him in much higher spirits. It happened on January 9, 2023, when the University of Georgia Bulldogs demolished the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs 65-7 to secure college football's national championship. Quavo, a Georgia native, was seen celebrating with the team on the field, when someone asked him how he felt. "Long live the Rocket," said a cigar-holding Quavo, using Takeoff's other rap moniker in a shout out.
But the national championship game was far from the first time that Quavo has supported the Bulldogs, as he's been seen on the sideline and in the team's locker room in the past. The rapper has actually been a Bulldog fan since childhood, partially because his grandmother used to live across the street from where they play. "I'm a real deal Dog fan," said the "Quavo Huncho" creator in a 2018 Bulldogs Twitter video. "Being at a Georgia game is like major, major madness, chaos. It's crazy. ... The intensity is so high that everybody's ready to win. It's really emotional."
Quavo followed that up by saying being on the Bulldog's sideline had always been on his bucket list. Still, though, it was evident in this early 2023 clip that Takeoff was heavy on Quavo's mind, even amid the huge celebration that was going on around him.
Takeoff's uncle honored him at the Grammys
Just days before the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, held on February 5, 2023 in Los Angeles, it was announced that Quavo would be honoring Takeoff. Surely, all eyes would be on the Migos member, because it also happened to be his very first performance since the tragic murder occurred just months earlier. Quavo fittingly performed his Takeoff tribute song "Without You" during the "In Memoriam" segment, while accompanied by the gospel group Maverick City Music.
With everyone dressed in black, and Quavo sitting on a chair at first, he gave what might be called a gut-wrenching performance, while belting out lyrics that captured his deep sense of loss. Images of other musicians who passed away over the last year were also shown during his performance, including rapper Coolio, actor-singer Irene Cara, as well as Philadelphia rapper PnB Rock, who was similarly killed by gunfire in Los Angeles in September 2022. Perhaps the most touching moment of Quavo's rendition came when he held up Takeoff's chain necklace toward the end.
Offset revealed how his shows were forever changed
As of this writing, Offset hasn't shared a Takeoff tribute song like Quavo, but he has been honoring his late cousin in another way. In December 2022, the husband and father began a concert by observing Takeoff, as he revealed in an Instagram video. Fans are seen holding up their illuminated phones in the clip, right before Offset walks onstage to The Jackson 5's 1971 classic "Never Can Say Goodbye."
A huge photo of Takeoff is shown in the background, as well, with Offset then facing the image and spreading his arms as to say, "This one's for you, Take." He also revealed his plans to continue honoring Takeoff in this fashion, writing, "Before every show I love you bra" — just to let everyone know that the tribute wouldn't be a one-time thing. While some might've said they were surprised to see Offset perform so soon after Takeoff's death, possibly believing he'd take some time off from touring, others could theorize that performing is therapeutic for the rapper, and that he may have needed to get back to his normal routine to cope with the tragic loss of his cousin and collaborator.
Quavo and Offset were accused of fighting each other
Did Quavo and Offset get into a fight at the 2023 Grammy awards? A TMZ insider claimed that they did — and it all allegedly had to do with Quavo's tribute to Takeoff at the ceremony. As word has it, the Grammy organizers wanted Offset to also be in the tribute, but Quavo reportedly didn't want him onstage. For his part, Offset quickly denied the fight rumor on Twitter. But soon after, a video surfaced, per ET, that appears to show Offset's wife, Cardi B, yelling — supposedly at the two Migos members. "Both of y'all wrong! This is not right!" she could be heard saying in part. However, Cardi denied that she broke up a fight when asked about it shortly after.
Still, it should be noted that it didn't seem as though Quavo and Offset were seeing eye to eye in the months leading up to Takeoff's death. For example, Quavo and Takeoff formed a group called Unc & Phew in May 2022, while Offset pursued his solo career. Migos was also plagued by breakup rumors around this time. Meanwhile, Quavo was accused of calling Offset disloyal during an interview on the "Big Facts" podcast that October. "We just stand on loyalty," said Quavo. "We stand on real deal, real deal loyalty, and sometimes that s**t ain't displayed. And this ain't got nothing to do with no label, no paperwork ... just got something to do with the three brothers. ... Right now, we going to be the duo 'til time tell."
Offset and Cardi B teamed up with the Golden Arches
Partnering with McDonald's seems to be the thing to do these days for musicians. Mariah Carey did it, and so have rappers Travis Scott and Saweetie. For their part, Cardi B and Offset have also teamed up with the fast-food chain, having their own meal, as well as merchandise. As for their meal, it consists of a cheeseburger with BBQ sauce on the side, a quarter pounder with cheese, large French fries, an apple pie, and two large-sized drinks to wash it all down.
The two were also featured in a McDonald's commercial that aired during the 2023 Super Bowl. The ad shows the two lovebirds talking about each other's usual McDonald's orders while other couples do the same. Cardi spoke with Billboard about why she and her husband decided to work with the long-running restaurant, calling it a no-brainer. "I think we've been to McDonald's 200 million times," she explained. "That's the thing about McDonald's is that we both eat it. I might suggest a different restaurant and if we get to the restaurant and the menu's a little weird and Offset doesn't like the food, he just looks at me."
Takeoff's cousin got into it with J. Prince
In February 2023, Offset got into an online beef with Rap-A-Lot Records co-founder J. Prince after Prince spoke about Takeoff's death on the "Million Dollaz Worth of Game" podcast. But it wasn't just Prince speaking about Takeoff that seemed to bother Offset, it was because he also threw a shot at Offset. Plus, Prince — who some say has a sort of Tony Soprano, Suge Knight tough-guy image — appeared to threaten him.
"You wasn't really right there with Takeoff when he was alive," alleged J Prince about Offset, seemingly alluding to the rapper being separated from his Migos groupmates in the months before Takeoff's murder. "So, for you to be taking these positions that you taking. ... Don't ever put me in no position where I have to defend myself. That wouldn't be healthy for you."
Offset responded to those words in a now-deleted social media video by expressing his disgust over Prince talking about his lifelong relationship with Takeoff: "How dare one of y'all n****s even speak on me and Take relationship. I don't know you n****s from a can of paint. Ya'll n****s don't know how me and my brother rock." The Migos member also brought up Takeoff's mother, Titania Davenport-Treet, suggesting that Prince didn't consider her feelings when talking about her late son during the interview.
Offset has been duking it out with his record label
Offset certainly had plenty to deal with at the close of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, because not only was he mourning Takeoff's death, but he was also battling with his record label Quality Control Music over the release of his solo material. The rapper sued the label in August 2022 after releasing his song "5 4 3 2 1," alleging they went against a previous settlement.
Offset then ripped the label's co-founder and CEO, Pierre "P" Thomas, on Twitter, which Thomas later claimed was a violation of a confidentiality agreement the Migos member signed. "I paid millions to get my rights back," Offset tweeted to Thomas, adding, "You [blackballed] me. I ain't said s**t one time homie. I ain't spoke to you in 2 years, now I drop and you want ya name on my credit?"
Cardi B jumped into the beef, as well, similarly claiming on social media that her husband bought himself out of his deal and that she was fed up with people trying to vilify him. It's not clear where Offset and Thomas stand, as of this writing, but they were seen together after their Twitter spat while backstage at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
Quavo revealed Migos' fate in a new song
Probably the big question on everyone's mind after Takeoff's death was if Migos would reunite and continue as a group without him. The answer lingered in the air for some time since neither of the remaining members said either way. But that changed on February 22, 2023, when Quavo released his song "Greatness." "Came in, swept the game like a storm with the mother f***in' flow / Take did that / So don't ask about the group, he gone, we gone ... it can't come back," raps Quavo in the song.
The way it appears, "Greatness" served two purposes for Quavo: It's another tribute song to Takeoff, so he got to share his emotions again. But it's seemingly also a memo to let people know that Migos is no more. Another sign the group may have officially split was Quavo telling listeners to always remember them, which he raps in another part of the song.
Of course, if Migos is really done for good, they'd be far from the last rap group that broke up after a bandmate tragically died. Run-D.M.C called it quits after their DJ, Jam Master Jay, was killed in 2002; and A Tribe Called Quest disbanded after member Malik "Phife Dawg" Taylor passed away in 2016 from diabetes complications.