Rapper Quavo has reflected his grief over his nephew and collaborator Takeoff, who died in Houston in November at the age of 28, in new music.
“I don’t know how many times I cried/No days are the same without you/I [don’t] Just know if I’m the same without you,” Quavo sings on his latest song, “Without You,” released Wednesday.
In a slow beat, Quavo recalls the time spent with the launch of Kirschnik Kali Bor, whose real name is Kirschnik. The music video shows black and white footage of Takeoff smoking and shaking his head in time to the music. Quavo, like Migos, who played Coachella in 2018, recalls “hard times” with his nephew. While cherishing those memories, Quavo also says he wants to go back in time.
“I wish I had a time machine, I wish you could ride with me,” sings Quavo.
Takeoff, who formed Migos with his uncles Quavo and Offset, died November 1 in a shooting incident following an altercation at 810 Billiards & Bowling in Houston. Police said the hip-hop star died upon arrival and two others were also injured and taken to hospital in a private vehicle.
In December, Houston police arrested 33-year-old Patrick Xavier Clarke and charged him with murder. Another man, Cameron Joshua, 33, was arrested on Nov. 22 on weapons charges linked to the shooting death.
Clark was released from Harris County Jail on a $1 million bond on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.
In his song, Quavo states that the celebrations around birthdays and Christmas aren’t the same without his nephew, and that his death had a huge impact on loved ones.
“It’s hard to watch Mama Love without you,” he sings.
The song concludes with Quavo reflecting his wish to take off in a time machine. However, unlike the original mention, Quavo adds:
“See you soon,” he says. “Itadakimasu (sorry)”
A few weeks after his death, Takeoff was buried in Atlanta. Fans, family and collaborators gathered on his November 11th celebration of life featuring Justin Bieber and Chloe his Bailey performance.
At the ceremony, Offset praised Takeoff for changing “the culture of music”.
“Lord, give us strength… give us strength, family, please give us strength,” Offset said. “I don’t want to question you, but I don’t know. I don’t get you sometimes. And I believe in you, Father.”
