Takeoff of Migos performs onstage at the 2018 BET Awards at Microsoft Theater on June 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, California
AFP

KEY POINTS

  • Migos rapper Takeoff was worth an estimated $26 million at the time of his death
  • Takeoff made his fortune from music sales, tours, performances and endorsement deals
  • Takeoff was shot and killed in Houston, Texas, Tuesday morning

Takeoff, one-third of the influential rap group Migos, was shot and killed in Houston, Texas, Tuesday morning. He was 28.

At the time of his death, the rapper had an estimated net worth of $26 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth (CNW).

Takeoff reportedly made most of his fortune from music sales, tours, performances, endorsement deals and his group's YouTube channel, which has over 12 million subscribers.

Between 2017 and 2018, Migos, which also includes Quavo and Offset, reportedly made a combined $25 million, mostly from a tour that saw the group perform 93 shows in a 12-month period. Labeled as one of the most popular streaming acts in the industry, Migos was able to accumulate 4 billion streams within that same period.

The trio also earned $36 million between September 2018 and September 2019.

As of writing, the group has a combined net worth of $80 million, according to CNW.

Takeoff, born Kirshnik Khari Ball, was raised in Lawrenceville, Georgia, a town near Atlanta, along with his uncle Quavo and first cousin once removed Offset.

Prior to forming their rap group, the trio grew up listening to artists such as Gucci Mane, Outkast and Lil Wayne, who became a massive influence on their music writing and sound.

In 2008, Takeoff, Quavo, now 31, and Offset, now 30, formed the band under the name Polo Club. They eventually changed their moniker to Migos three years later upon the release of their first full-length music project, a mixtape titled "Juug Season."

It was in 2013 when Migos made a breakthrough in the music industry with the release of its mainstream hit single, "Versace," which was remixed by Drake and featured on the group's mixtape "Y.R.N."

Quavo, Offset and Takeoff followed this up with another mixtape, "No Label 2," which was downloaded over 100,000 times within the first week of its release.

The following year, Migos continued to rise to fame with the single "Fright Night," which peaked at the 69th spot on the Hot 100.

Migos' debut studio album, "Yung Rich Nation," debuted at No. 3 on the Top Rap Albums chart and spawned the hit single "One Time" after its 2015 release. The trio's song "Look at My Dab," from the 2015 mixtape "Back to the Bando," achieved global success when it popularized the dance move "dabbing."

In 2016, Migos achieved its first No. 1 hit with the single "Bad and Boujee," featuring Lil Uzi Vert. The track, which was the first single from the group's sophomore album "Culture," was certified four times platinum by the RIAA. However, Takeoff did not take part in the single and was not credited on the track.

"Culture" topped the Billboard 200 and sold at least 131,000 album-equivalent units within the first week of its January 2017 release. It went platinum in July of that year.

Migos has collaborated with several big names in the music industry, including Chris Brown, Young Thug, Nicki Minaj and Cardi B.

The group's other chart-topping singles include "Motor Sport" and "Stir Fry," which were included in their third studio album "Culture II." The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2018.

Their latest album, "Culture III," was released last year and peaked at No. 23.

Outside of Migos, Takeoff released a solo album, "The Last Rocket," in 2018. The tracks included "Intruder," "The Last Memory," "Big Stunna," "Us vs. Them" and "Nothing Changed."

Takeoff also launched his own NFT collection. Upon the release of his first collection, "Apes in Space," he was able to sell at least 10,000 NFTs in less than one week.

The young rapper also left behind a Rolls-Royce Wraith, a luxury car gifted by his entertainment agency, Quality Control Music, last year for his 27th birthday.

Migos
Migos at New Era's Super Bowl party Planet New Era, Feb. 3, 2017, in Houston. Peter Barreras/AP Images for New Era Cap