Takeoff’s presence was felt at the Grammys this year. The Recording Academy invited Quavo to deliver an emotional performance of his record “Without You” during the In Memoriam segment. The song dropped as a tribute to the late Takeoff, who died in early November.
The Maverick City Music choir backed Quavo during his stunning performance at the award show while images of Takeoff and Quavo appeared on the screen. Additionally, Take’s chain, which Quavo wore to the award show, dangled from the mic stand before Qua’ held it in the air. Immediately, fans praised Quavo for his performance at the Grammys. Some said that they got emotional while watching it.
[Watch]: Quavo perform “WITHOUT YOU” tribute to Takeoff at the #Grammys pic.twitter.com/INC85n8h9x
— AccraGuy
(@AccraGuyy) February 6, 2023
It marks Quavo’s first performance since Takeoff’s death in November. However, he popped out on a few occasions recently, such as Diddy’s NYE party. Shortly after, he stormed the field at the Georgia Bulldogs championship game to celebrate their triumphant win.
After the funeral of Takeoff, Quavo penned a heartfelt message on Instagram. As he and Take recently embarked on a new chapter in their careers as a duo, Quavo explained how they were always by each other’s side since they were kids. He echoed a similar sentiment at Take’s funeral in Atlanta.
“This whole time I’ve been trying to figure out what you really are to me because nephew wasn’t it. We hated the word ‘nephew’ or when they said ‘Unc and Phew’ because we always knew we were way closer than that and it made me feel old too,” Quavo wrote on IG. “Now I finally get it… you are OUR angel watching me and watching us this whole time in living form, making sure EVERYONE FELT UR LOVE AND HUGS while u here and u made our dreams come true.”
Sheryl Crow, Mick Fleetwood, and Bonnie Raitt also took the stage and honored those that passed away. Musgraves celebrated Loretta Lynn with a cover of “Coal Miner’s Daughter.” Elsewhere during the segment, Crow, Fleetwood, and Raitt performed “Songbird” as a tribute to Christine McVie.
Along with Takeoff, the In Memoriam segment paid tribute to several artists that tragically died in 2022. Coolio, Tame One, DJ Kay Slay, and Stephen “tWitch” Boss were among those included. However, the Grammys appeared to face backlash for leaving out a few names, specifically, members of the hip-hop community. The Grammy did not appear to include PnB Rock, Lil Keed, and Gangsta Boo in the segment.