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Nearly 20,000 people packed State Farm Arena in Atlanta Friday to say a final farewell to beloved rapper “Takeoff,” who was known as the quiet – but lyrically powerful – member of megastar “Migos” rap group.

Celebrities and prominent figures including entertainers Justin Bieber, Chloe Bailey, Yolanda Adams, Drake, in addition to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, took part in the emotional three-hour homegoing service.

Although no media, cellphones or cameras were allowed, various footage was posted to the internet, in addition to heartfelt and heartbreaking posts from family, colleagues and fans.

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His uncle and group member Quavo, who witnessed his death, posted on social media and said in a speech delivered at the funeral that Takeoff is now their angel.

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by QuavoHuncho (@quavohuncho)

 

“It’s so hard to tell you Ima miss you because you always with me and we did everything together. Since we were kids you been by my side lookin up at me, them eyes waiting on me to make the next move, then you followed up right behind me. You always made sure I did it first so you can do it right with me,” Quavo said. “You never competed with me, we were always on the same team. You hated playing against me because I was always playing too hard or too ruff then I can hear my mama say ‘son not too ruff’ cuz I didn’t like to lose!”

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Quavo talked about their first dream of being WWE and WWF wrestlers, remembering how Takeoff could impersonate or imitate almost anyone. Quavo explained that Takeoff is the one who pushed them into the entertainment industry and how his style changed the future of rap and hip hop.

“Then he created this triplet flow and the rest was HISTORY. He never worried about titles, credit, or what man got the most shine, that wasn’t him. He didn’t care about none of that as long as we brought it back home to the family!” Quavo shared.

Those who loved and knew him described Takeoff as the quietest in the room.

“Nothing ever really bothered Take and he didn’t bother anybody. He the most unbothered person in the world. He never got mad, he never raised his voice and when he did, he silenced the room because what Take said was the law and he wasn’t changing his mind fa na, not even Unc could, you just gotta let em cool off for bout 30 minutes,” Quavo said.

 

Bieber, Bailey and Adams sang tributes, and Drake gave his expressions in a poem.

In another heartbreaking moment, Offset, Takeoff’s cousin who is also a member of the Migos, broke down several times while delivering his speech to the crowd.

“I love you, dog. I love you,” Offset said. “I wish we could laugh again.”

 

No one can quite understand how Takeoff, born Kirshnik Kari Bell, was gunned down in a senseless act of violence while attending a party in Houston. He was an innocent bystander whose life was cut short, and his killer remains on the loose.

Quavo, who was one of the last people to hold him, alive, summed up best what his nephew meant to him.

“This whole time I’ve been trying to figure what you really are to me because nephew wasn’t it. I knew you weren’t my brother cuz you are my sister’s son, so I couldn’t say brother,” Quavo said. “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. Whenever u spoke it, it manifested it when u said ‘God gonna do it,’ he did it. I’m just proud to be in your life. I’m proud to be ya UNCLE. I’m proud we saw the world and done things we couldn’t ever imagine together.”