Hundreds of fans and numerous celebrities braved the rain Friday morning to pay their respects to slain Migos rapper and Georgia native Takeoff at a memorial service at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena.
Takeoff visited the downtown venue, which can hold more than 20,000 people, frequently both to perform and watch the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks.
The rapper, whose given name is Kirshnik Khari Ball, was gunned down last week in Houston, Texas.
In addition to fans who snatched up free tickets online, the memorial and celebration of the life of the 28-year-old star was attended by artists and celebrities, including fellow Migos rappers Quavo and Offset.
The two rappers, who are Takeoff’s uncle and cousin, respectively, gave speeches remembering their time with their slain relative and groupmate, TMZ reported. Their words reportedly brought the arena to tears.
Takeoff’s mother, brother and sister also spoke.
Fellow rapper Drake also gave a speech during the service, recalling the times he spent touring with Migos for several months in 2018. TMZ said Drake compared his brotherhood with the Migos men to the infamous Rat Pack of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford.
Justin Bieber, Chloe Bailey and Yolanda Adams performed during the ceremony, which kicked off at 12 p.m. and lasted several hours.
Attendees were pictured lining up outside the venue hours beforehand, clutching umbrellas and rain jackets. Images from inside the arena also give a glimpse of the flower-lined stage, as well as the riffed American flag backdrop emblazoned with Takeoff’s name.
Although the service – officiated by Rev. Jesse Curney III of New Mercies Christian Church and featuring a performance by Justin Bieber– had a strict no photo or video policy, CNN writer Eliott C. McLaughlin gave fans a preview of the program on Twitter.
The program cover is decorated with several images of the rapper throughout his career, while the back outlines a lengthy order of service with several musical interludes. The schedule was captioned with a quote from Migos hit “Supastars” that reads: “I put my heart inside this sh*t ‘cause I was chose. I put my heart inside and only God knows.”
Inside the arena where Takeoff’s celebration of life took place Friday.
A statement shared on the official event page described Takeoff as “one of the most influential names in modern music whose creativity left a profound impact on music and culture as we know it today.”
“The cherished Quality Control/Motown superstar was a part of the supergroup Migos and was a beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew and friend to so many,” it stated.
The formal service comes almost two weeks after Takeoff was fatally shot outside a Houston bowling alley after a private party. Moments before the gunfire, Quavo was caught on video nearby in a heated argument. It is unclear if the “Stir Fry” rapper was involved in the altercation.
Houston police have asked for the public’s help in identifying the shooter.
“I’m asking for any of the persons who were at this private party … that have information on the shooter or shooters please provide that information to HPD and let us solve it,” Mayor Sylvester Turner implored last week. “We will solve this particular case.”
Quavo and Offset were spotted for the first time since the tragedy at the rapper’s wake in Atlanta Thursday night. They were accompanied by Offset’s wife, fellow songstress Cardi B.
