Destigmatizing Conversations in the Music Industry
Kirsnick “Takeoff” Khari Ball, the youngest of Atlanta Grammy-nominated hip-hop trio Migos, was shot and killed on November 1, 2022, at a Houston bowling alley in Texas, sending shockwaves throughout the music industry and hip-hop world. Takeoff’s death is one of the latest in a string of rappers gone too soon, including Pop Smoke, Mac Miller, Lil Peep, Young Dolph, and XXXTentacion.
At the time, Takeoff and fellow Migos rapper Quavo had just released their album, Only Built for Infinity Links, while third member Offset had been making solo music. Despite alleged strife between the three Atlanta rappers, Takeoff’s death left Quavo and Offset devastated and heartbroken at the loss of the quiet Migo, whom many regarded as the most talented rapper of the three.
With Migos effectively disbanded, Quavo and Offset have pursued solo careers over the last two years, paying tribute to Take. Amidst a dedication to uplifting their lost brother’s legacy, both Quavo and Offset have been outspoken about their mental health and dealing with grief since Takeoff’s death.
Keep reading to hear about how Offset and Quavo address mental health through new music and interviews since losing Takeoff.
Offset’s Candid Discussions on Mental Health
Offset, born Kiari Kendrell Cephus, said in a May 2023 interview with Variety that just six months after Takeoff’s death, talking about the loss was difficult. “It’s hard for me to talk about s**t right now. I’ve never talked about this stuff,” he said.
“That’s why I don’t, to be honest. That s**t hurts. Like, it’s gonna put me in a mood, and I don’t want to get in that mood,” Cephus said. “Some things I don’t never tell nobody. He’s not here. That s**t feels fake, bro.”
In July 2023, Offset appeared on the podcast Way Up With Angela Yee and spared listeners no details on how difficult coping with Take’s death has been for him, especially with so much attention from celebrity news outlets and online.
What’s on Twitter matters, what’s being said, and it’s like, I play cool. I smile for the cameras. I do fashion week and do all this s**t but behind the scenes, I need my woman to be there for me for what I’m going through, and then [people make] it harder for me by bringing up bulls**t, or my old past when I’m really going through some other s**t. It’s too much.
“I cry every day about this bulls**t, bro,” he said about the grief of losing the youngest Migos member. “I be feeling like people [think] we stars, so…it’s just cool, but I’m a real grown man,” he said about the constant social media commentary on Takeoff’s death, a rumored Migos reunion, and Offset’s highly publicized relationship with rapper Cardi B.
In a July 2023 interview with GQ, Offset discussed his upcoming album, Set It Off, saying he didn’t want to make an album about Takeoff because he wasn’t ready and because of fan expectations. “I ain’t ready to talk about that shit yet, first and foremost,” he said, “but I didn’t want to just be making an album about bad s**t… because it was going to make my mind be in a different place mentally.”
On top of currently processing the loss of his bandmate, Offset wasn’t in the creative headspace to pay tribute to Takeoff yet, knowing people would expect something big.
“[Everyone] is so judgmental,” he said. “They want you to make a song pouring your heart out that’s [also] a hit.”
Offset Describes Quitting Lean
During the conversation on Way Up, host Angela Yee commented on Offset’s recent change in demeanor. As someone who often let Quavo take the lead in interviews in the past, Offset appeared more relaxed and talkative in public than before, partially because he quit drinking lean, an addictive codeine-based drink.
Offset told Yee that detoxing from codeine—which he did alone—was physically one of the hardest things he’d ever been through.
“Oh, that’s real pain…I don’t even know how to explain it. It’ll break [you]. It’ll make you cry,” the rapper said about codeine withdrawal.
Offset said that when he was drinking lean, he had no idea that the withdrawals would be so painful, and during detox, he experienced severe stomach pain and couldn’t eat for three to four days. He also told Yee that he chose to get clean alone to avoid being influenced by other people drinking lean around him.
“I can’t keep the bros around, and they still doing it, because then it might make me [do it] because it’s-it’s so much pain,” he explained. “It’s that s**t is almost like a painkiller like if I did it, I would feel better.”
After getting clean from the codeine, however, Offset saw various parts of his life change. His relationships with both his mother and his wife, Cardi B, improved dramatically. He said that he realized quitting lean was his first step if he wanted to advance his career artistically and monetarily.
Quavo’s Perspective on Mental Health
Just a month before the fatal shooting that killed Takeoff, Quavo and his nephew (the two are not biologically related to Offset) released their collaborative album Only Built for Infinity Links. After releasing a few tribute tracks dedicated to Takeoff in early 2023, Quavo announced his second solo album, Rocket Power, on Instagram.
Shortly after announcing Rocket Power, Quavo posted a video interview on YouTube titled “A Conversation For The Fans,” in which he discussed the meaning of the new album and its dedication to Takeoff.
Born Quavious Keyate Marshall, the 33-year-old rapper and Atlanta native, talked about his grief in earnest but reminded fans that his nephew never leaves his mind.
“I miss him a lot, and I love him. He know I love him,” Quavo said. “I think about him all the time. Sometimes I cry myself to sleep, you know, and that’s it,” he admitted.
Quavo on Grief, Spirituality, and Purpose
“If I can feel him, I just know he around,” Quavo said, explaining how he finds signs of Takeoff’s presence and energy everywhere. “[We’d] always talk about energies…so when stuff, like good spirit[ual] stuff [happens], I feel him. I know he here. I know year-round.”
Quavo even mentioned feeling Takeoff’s presence with him at a Los Angeles Lakers game the night before. While sitting courtside, he was thinking about how much he wished Take was there with him, and when Lebron James came to the bench and sat next to Quavo, Quavo did his best to avoid eye contact with the basketball icon.
Quavo snuck a side glance at Lebron through his sunglasses, and his and Takeoff’s platinum hit “HOTEL LOBBY” immediately started playing over the arena speakers.
“The song played, and I just rubbed my chest. I just watched the game,” Quavo said.
During the conversation, Quavo also talked about living alone, how he spends his time, and his purpose in life.
“It’s my first time ever, ever, ever, ever in life just being by myself. That’s just a tough thing to battle,” he said.
Music has become a significant outlet for the rapper as he deals with the emotions accompanying grief. For Quavo, spending time in the studio helps him keep his mind out of an “idle position” and pass the time.
“I just do a lot of just chilling and meditating, and if I get too upset, I just go find a beat and make some music,” he said.
Quavo’s Anti-Gun Violence Advocacy
When asked whether he has a newfound purpose after Takeoff’s death, Quavo admitted, “I feel like I’m just floating. I just feel like I’m here for a reason, and once I get my job done, we all got to go. So I’m just here till the job is done so I can get back with my boy.”
Although he wasn’t explicit about the job he had to do—whether that be keeping Takeoff’s memory and legacy alive or seeking justice for Take’s murder—Quavo has been an outspoken advocate against gun violence since his nephew’s fatal shooting in November 2022.
Quavo founded the Rocket Foundation in 2022 to honor Takeoff’s legacy and invest in community violence intervention to curb gun violence nationwide, starting in Atlanta. In September 2023, Quavo also met with Vice President Kamala Harris and participated in a panel discussion during the Congressional Black Caucus legislative conference.
In March of this year, Quavo and the Rocket Foundation announced the “SPARK Grants” program to award $100,000 to 10 Atlanta-based organizations working to curb gun violence. Grant winners were announced at the inaugural Rocket Foundation Summit on June 18—commemorating Takeoff’s birthday—where Vice President Harris was in attendance alongside various Atlanta community leaders, elected officials, activists, survivors, and Quavo himself.
Impact of Offset and Quavo’s Advocacy: Representing Mental Health and Grief in Men
With Migos reaching the peak of their stardom between 2013 and 2017, their impact on hip-hop culture and stature as Atlanta icons are undeniable. After the tragic death of their youngest member, Takeoff, in November 2022, both remaining Migos members Quavo and Offset, have made it clear that the group is done.
There is no Migos without all three of them. Nevertheless, both rappers have pressed on with their music careers, finding ways to honor Takeoff while dealing with the grief of his death.
In the aftermath of Takeoff’s death, Quavo and Offset have also made strides in advancing conversations about mental health in men and how men deal with grief, particularly men of color or in marginalized groups.
Many fans commented on Quavo’s “A Conversation For The Fans” video thanking Quavo for his honesty, with one fan commenting, “This is so needed. Thank you, Quavo. You didn’t have to share the vulnerability with us all, but you did. You’re helping so many people. We love you & Take.”
Fans echoed similar sentiments on the YouTube video of Offset’s interview with Angela Yee. “Offset really maturing and opening up. It’s good to see my brothers becoming real men again,” one user commented.
“I appreciate Offset talking about the process of kicking the cup,” another fan said about Offset quitting codeine. “The way other rappers would talk about quitting lean on songs but dance around those withdrawals often make me think that they’re either lying or have too much pride to be real…Shoutout to anyone that has overcome an addiction.”
Advancing Conversations About Grief, Trauma, and Mental Health in the Music Industry
With such prominent figures in the music and hip-hop worlds speaking up about the trauma of gun violence, the grief of losing a loved one, and the difficulty of overcoming codeine addiction, fans and people struggling with similar experiences can learn a lot from Offset and Quavo’s advocacy and honesty following the death of third Migos member Takeoff.
Artists like these are social and cultural forces, and hearing their stories can help reshape how we think about these issues and how we can support those going through similar experiences.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse, trauma-induced anxiety, or another mental health concerns, do not hesitate to reach out for help. Contact The Summit Wellness Group anytime by email at ContactUs@TheSummitWellnessGroup.com.