28-year-old American rapper Takeoff was shot dead in Houston, Texas on November 1.  His passing marks yet another tragic, prominent loss in pop culture to gun violence and brutality.    

Homicide rates in major urban centers across the United States have and continue to alarmingly rise each year.  This comes along with an existing wave of gun violence and crime across the country.  

Takeoff was one-third of the formerly active Atlanta-based rap group Migos with his close family members Quavo and Offset.  His untimely passing has left a heavy impact on all who knew him in person and through his music.

The hip hop and rap community as a whole has been historically plagued by incidents of extreme violence.  Countless musical figures who represent pure talent and potential have been taken too soon after falling victim to such brutal attacks.

Just a few months ago, rapper PnB Rock was shot dead in Los Angeles at age 30.  Many other pioneers of rap and hip hop have fallen victim to gun violence just in the past three years, including Nipsey Hussle and Pop Smoke.

President Joe Biden and peace activists across the country have advocated for stricter gun laws to prevent this rapid rise in murder and violence for many years.  

After Takeoff’s tragic case shook the media, urban music communities have yet again been forced to face the ever-growing issue of gun violence and homicide head on and make changes to protect their lives.