With a grizzled voice that could divide crowds, Takeoff was a habitual scene stealer and showstopper of contemporary hip-hop. Born Kirsnick Khari Ball in 1994 in Lawrenceville, Georgia, he regularly commanded listeners’ attention with his undeniably magnetic rasp as a member of the superstar rap group Migos. That singular delivery—marked by a masterful ability to slip in and out of assorted flows—was first heard on Migos’ breakthrough 2013 single, “Versace.” His ever-present desire to refine his approach and challenge his collaborators endured throughout his career, including on the runaway 2022 hit “HOTEL LOBBY” with Quavo, his former bandmate (and uncle). Takeoff was fatally shot in 2022 at the age of 28; his commitment to shifting hip-hop culture has guaranteed his place in the rap canon.