Public Enemy legend Chuck D is addressing gun violence following the tragic death of Takeoff, who was gunned down Tuesday morning in Houston.
In a conversation with TMZ, Chuck D spoke about his generation’s ability to focus its attention on reminding people that the “music and art form is beautiful,” which he suggested his predecessors have failed to do.
“This is abnormal behavior,” Chuck D said about the gun violence issue that’s claimed countless rappers’ lives over the past few years.
He continued, “It is a tragedy, and the pain is unbearable...The peace, unity, love aspect of hip-hop should be revered.”
Chuck D went on to blame the “industry” for absorbing hip-hop culture en route to “normalizing” such behavior. “In any other walk of life, it would’ve been addressed far earlier,” he said. “You have people who’ve grown up thinking that hip-hop death is a normal thing.”
The hip-hop icon’s comments arrive hours after Takeoff was fatally shot in Houston.
According to TMZ’s initial report, which cited police sources and several alleged witnesses, local officials were first notified of the shooting “shortly after 2:30 a.m.” Both Quavo and Takeoff were at the site, which is said to have been a bowling alley where a dice game was taking place. At one point, an altercation is alleged to have started, followed by gunfire, although additional details regarding what transpired in the moments leading up to the shooting have not been made public.
Earlier tonight, Quality Control shared their official statement on the Migos rapper’s passing. “Senseless violence and a stray bullet has taken another life from this world and we are devastated,” they wrote. “Please respect his family and friends as we continue to process this monumental loss.”
