Migos

Quavo Grieves Takeoff In His Powerful, Vulnerable New Song ‘Without You’

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The tragic death of Takeoff in November of last year shook the hip-hop world. Many rappers shared tributes to the late Migos member on social media, including Offset, Cardi B, Metro Boomin, and many more. Some even released songs in his honor, like Gucci Mane with “Letter To Takeoff.”

Quavo, who was not only his fellow Migos member but his uncle, started his written tribute to Takeoff with, “It’s so hard to tell you Ima miss you because you always with me and we did everything together.” Posted in November, the whole message was emotional, raw and powerful.

Late Wednesday night, January 4, Quavo shared a song for Takeoff called “Without You.” It’s immediately vulnerable: “Tears rolling down my eyes / Can’t tell you how many times I cried / Days ain’t the same without you,” he sings. The track serves as a space for Quavo to grieve; he recollects old memories with Takeoff against a melancholy beat. There’s hope as well, as he sings, “See you in heaven.”

Quavo was attending a private event with Takeoff when he was fatally shot outside 810 Billiards & Bowling in Houston on November 1. Houston Police arrested his suspected killer, Patrick Xavier Clark, one month later. Clark is being held on bond, though he has made repeated attempts to reduce his bond.

Takeoff’s funeral felt more like a celebration of life, taking place at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena and featuring performances from Justin Bieber, Chloe Bailey, Yolanda Adams, and Byron Cage. Drake, Cardi B, Gucci Mane, City Girls, YG, Russell Simmons, and Lil Yachty were also in attendance.

Listen to “Without You” above.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Takeoff’s Alleged Killer Was Denied A Second Bond Reduction From $1 Million

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A Texas judge has denied a bond reduction request by Patrick Xavier Clark, the 33-year-old Houston resident accused of murdering Atlanta rapper Takeoff, according to Houston news. It was reported that at a hearing on Tuesday (December 27), Clark’s attorney Letitia Quinones requested to have Clark’s bond reduced from $1 million to $300,000 after previously having it dropped from $2 million. However, despite Quinones’ optimism that an appeal will eventually be successful, Judge Josh Hill has concerns — namely, that Clark could constitute a flight risk.

Those concerns are based on photos from Clark’s Instagram, in which he is seen holding large stacks of cash. He also had a “large amount of cash” on him when he was arrested, along with an itinerary for Mexico. This would seem to belie his family’s insistence that his job as a DJ couldn’t support the large bond amount; he also allegedly bragged on a jail phone that he could pay the larger $2 million amount. However, Quinones said that Clark complied with all of the judge’s requirements for a bond reduction, including securing a bonding service, completing an affidavit confirming his finances, and turning over his passport.

“We complied with every requirement that the judge asked of us, only to be told today that it will not be lowered,” Quinones said. “So yes, we are very disappointed, we disagree and we are surprised.”

Clark was identified as the potential killer after police found footage that appears to show him both holding and discharging a handgun at the bowling alley where Takeoff was shot in the head.

Takeoff’s Suspected Killer Wants To Have His Bond Reduced Again From $1 Million

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Patrick Xavier Clark, the 33-year-old Houston man accused of shooting and killing Migos rapper Takeoff on November 1 of this year, appeared in court on Tuesday (December 27) as his attorneys moved to have his bond lowered from $1 million to $300,000, according to ABC News. It was set at $1 million after a successful bid to have it reduced from $2 million. Clark’s lawyer feels the $300,000 figure is more appropriate, as the accused’s family can put a home up as collateral to secure his release.

However, prosecutors argue that Clark has hidden some financial assets and constitutes a flight risk if released from jail. This belief stems from a jail phone call in which Clark allegedly claimed that he could pay the $2 million. Of course, should he receive the lowered bond and have a bondsman issue a bond for him, if he does flee, it’ll cost his family their house.

Houston police identified Clark as a suspect using footage from the incident in which he can allegedly be seen holding a gun and firing it, while fingerprints place him at the scene. He also apparently searched for his name online the next day, which could suggest he expected or feared he would be associated with the shooting somehow. Meanwhile, ABC News drew criticism this week after its year-in-review program used a photo of Quavo mislabeled as his nephew Takeoff.

ABC Is Facing Harsh Backlash After Mistakenly Paying Tribute To Late Migos Member Takeoff With A Photo Of Quavo

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While recapping the events of the past year last night (December 28), producers of ABC’s The Year: 2022 made a rather embarrassing mistake. When honoring rapper Takeoff during the program’s In Memorium portion, a picture of his Migos bandmate, Quavo, was shown. As one could expect, fans were not thrilled about the mix-up.

“So I’m watching #TheYear on @abc and was caught off guard by the disrespect and ignorance of the programming,” said one Twitter user. “All black people don’t look the same and y’all got this one wrong, the person is the picture is clearly, clearly [Quavo], do better.”

Another Twitter user said the mistake shouldn’t have occurred, given that Quavo had a long, prolific run of notable guest verses a few years ago, and should therefore be easily recognizable.

“This sh*t lame as hell,” they said. “This man Quavo was the face of popular music 3-4 years straight. Ain’t no way y’all confused this man for Takeoff.”

After several fans voiced their chagrin about the mistake, ABC corrected the video and has since issued a statement on social media.

“We apologize for the unfortunate error in a previous version of ‘The Year: 2022,’” said ABC News Studios in a tweet. “It has been corrected.”

Offset Acknowledged It’s ‘Not Easy’ To Go On Without Takeoff In His Latest Heartbreaking Tribute

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The holiday season is particularly difficult for people who are grieving, and Offset’s grief is particularly fresh. Takeoff, his cousin and fellow Migos rapper, was fatally shot as an innocent bystander when an altercation allegedly broke out at a private event outside 810 Billiards & Bowling in Houston on November 1. Takeoff was there with Quavo, his uncle and Migos collaborator. The 28-year-old was laid to rest in his native Atlanta on November 11.

In the months leading up to Takeoff’s tragic death, he and Quavo had branched away from Migos to form the duo Unc & Phew, releasing their Only Built For Infinity Links album on October 7. But while Offset and Takeoff had grown apart musically, their personal bond remains unquestionable. Offset shared an open letter to Takeoff in mid-November and has continued to tribute him, even dedicating his Art Basel concert to Takeoff earlier this month.

On Wednesday, December 21 — one week after celebrating his 31st birthday with his wife, Cardi B — Offset again took to Twitter. “Sh*t not easy fake smiling and sh*t tryna keep walking with my head up,” he posted alongside a photo of Takeoff. Offset also tweeted a photo of Takeoff on Monday, December 19.

On December 1, 33-year-old Patrick Xavier Clark was arrested and charged with the murder of Takeoff. Clark’s bond was set at $2 million, as ABC News reported that “prosecutors argued that Clark posed a high flight risk because he had purchased tickets to Mexico two days before his arrest and applied for an expedited passport.” Cameron Joshua, also known as Lil Cam or Lil Cam 5th, was additionally charged in connection to the case. Last week, Clark reportedly filed a motion to reduce his bail to $100,000.

Below, see more of Offset’s heartbreaking posts since Takeoff’s passing.