After a briefer homage to Takeoff on Instagram, Drake eulogized the fallen 28-year-old as he opened his radio show on Thursday night.
On the second episode of Table for One on SiriusXM—leading up to his 21 Savage collab album Her Loss at midnight—Drake remembered the “legendary, unprecedented” Migos member with whom he collaborated on hits including “Walk It Talk It.”
Sounding slightly choked-up at points, the 36-year-old tried to impress upon listeners that life is “worth living, and everybody deserves that chance.”
Read/hear Drake’s full remarks on the death of Takeoff below.
“Before I get into the pleasantries, I’d just like to send our deepest condolences from the family to the entire QC, to our brother Quavo, to our brother Offset, to the friends and loved ones of the legendary, unprecedented Takeoff—a guy that I knew for a long, long time. I’m sure people know how we started, of course, with ‘Versace.’ And from there, you know, we formed a brotherhood. I always talk about the fact that this was one family. My friends in the music industry are not friends, they’re family. So, our deepest condolences—tragic loss for all of us and, you know, a dark cloud over this business that we love so much. And, man, I just encourage everybody to lock into that mindset, no matter where you are, you know? It’s just really...it’s a life that’s worth living, and everybody deserves that chance. It’s unfortunate that one of our dear, dear brothers had to leave us this week. And it’s tough to even talk about, I don’t even know how to really—I don’t have the words, I feel like I’m rambling, but, yeah: again, our deepest condolences from the family. We love you, and I appreciate the memories, appreciate the memories.”
On Instagram on Tuesday, Drizzy shared a Brandon Dull-shot photo of himself onstage with the Last Rocket MC, writing, “I got the best memories of all of us seeing the world together and bringing light to every city we touch. That’s what I’ll focus on for now 😔 rest easy space man Take 🚀.”
Takeoff, born Kirshnik Khari Ball, was fatally shot in Houston in the early hours of Nov. 1.
Quality Control confirmed his passing, with the label stating, “Senseless violence and a stray bullet has taken another life from this world and we are devastated. Please respect his family and friends as we continue to process this monumental loss.”
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said, “We will solve this crime, let us solve this crime. Let us bring the person or persons to justice.”
In October, Takeoff and Quavo shared their first album as Unc & Phew, Only Built for Infinity Links.
RIP.
