Rest In Peace, Take

 

The year was 2013.

We lived on a street that was near the bluff.

We called the house the Bando.

Our WiFi password was bando-bando.

And at the Bando, we commonly sat around and debated music. After a heated discussion as to if Rich Homie Quan had any staying power in the industry, The Migos were up next.

“They got white people screaming HANNA MONTANA!”

Heavily we considered the facts, and though the discussion was heated once again, everyone was allowed to speak and the four of us were able to come to the conclusion that they COULD sustain a decent run…..

As long as they stuck together.

All we knew was groups breaking up and going left. From G-Unit to Cash Money, brothers weren’t staying brothers when one of them started to think they didn’t need the other.

We held our breath in the coming months, as Quavo suddenly started to get an alarming number of solo features. He did however, make it clear that the features were listed as Migos only.

We breathed easier as time went on, as 2017 brought us Culture, headlined by the hit single, Bad and Boujee It was at this time the world was introduced to the infamous quote:

“Do it look like I got left off Bad and Boujee?”

Joe Budden was pushing buttons that night, and when the three decided they had enough, they rose up as a UNIT.

Like brothers.

Like family.

Now, I have to pivot for a moment, but I will try to keep it short.

When the Knights of the Bando (trademark pending) gave their 2013 judgement, it was determined that only 3 things could (and probably would) tear them apart:

1. Money

2. Women

3. One started to think they were better than the others.

This hurts me to write, and I haven’t been ok since. I have brothers who are brothers by choice, and I have not been perfect in the above 3 areas. I am no one to pass judgment on anyone.

But Ill be damned if I didn’t try as hard as I could to uphold morality in all 3 categories. You can deal with someone falling short here and there. You might box, you might not, but we learn and move on -AND we LIVE (RIP to Pops).

That said, a foul in any of these 3 categories is usually terminal, depending on those involved, but I am fortunate to report that these things are not set in stone. They have been done before, and they can be done again-

As long as you are alive.

Back to the Migos. With the success of Culture, they each began to push their own brand while maintain their status as a group.

Quavo showed versatility with his use of autotune and his participation in sports.

Offset soon became involved with the young phenom Cardi B and managed to secure a feature from J Cole on his solo album.

And Takeoff quietly continued to body every verse and feature.

Tactfully, they announced their plans for Culture 2 and a debut solo album for each member, starting with Quavo.

When Quavo Huncho dropped in 2018, my timeline was lit with those putting on for “the culture.”

But when Takeoff dropped The Last Rocket, shortly after, it was real quiet.

The Oracle was furious and released the following statement:

“If you listened Quavo’s tape for “The Culture,” but you not listening to Takeoff for the same reason, you not for no Culture.”

Now, back to my aside.

If you think about the 3 aforementioned issues, 2 of them can be relatively easy to fix, when pride is not involved. Money, can be repaid or made again. If someone thinks they are better, they can realize they are not, and apologize.

But when it comes to women, the way forward generally is a burnt bridge.

Most men who do not care about women are generally very loyal to their boys- until it comes to women. And these men usually manipulate these situations exactly to their liking, regardless of the affects it may have on others.

Even their brothers.

That said, it is usually these men that are THE BEST at diffusing situations. Be it with more lies, brute force, or calculated methods, they excel at avoiding fights.

And if they have to fight, its usually in support of the same brothers they had no problem disregarding for women.

Back to Migos.

Culture 2 boosted their success, and Culture 3 was widely anticipated by the time 2021 rolled around.

The Migos paid a visit to LA Leakersfor a freestyle, and put on an absolute CLINIC, with Takeoff earning the award for best verse.

The chemistry was undeniable. No one took too long, with each picking up right where the other left off. It was done with the skill of those who had done it a hundred thousand times.

Culture 3 was released, and the city was back on again.

They had come a long way from the Bando.

But things got weird in 2022.

Earlier in the year Quavo and Takeoff suddenly rebranded to “Unc and Phew.”

Preliminary reports pinged back little concern, as artists commonly try these types of stunts to boost engagement by way of alleged controversy.

This soon became an actual controversy, as the pair intended to put out an entire album without Offset.

The allegations came in waves. Everything from the label to Cardi B was considered to be at fault.

But, with the release of Only Built for Infinity Links, the allegations became literal shots, as Offset was NOWHERE to be found on the album, and his social media presence was reduced to idle.

That let me know he knew he was wrong.

Had it been about anything else, he would have spoken out.

Combined with an interview where a pain ridden Quavo tried not to give too much information away, it was clear it would take much for the Migos to return to full strength.

I knew it could be done, but that it would take much, but as long as they were alive, they could reconcile.

And then Tuesday, November 1^st, Takeoff was shot and killed by a stray bullet. The reports are he was not even involved in the altercation, that it was Quavo who was frustrated over a dice game.

They were in Houston.

It is tragic.

It is another name to a growing list of dead rappers.

Earlier in the year we lost Trouble, followed by PNB Rock.

The year before we lost Dolph.

All shot and killed over some bullshit.

“You didn’t know him personally, you shouldn’t be upset.”

Shut up.

When you been listening to an artist half your life, and their ENTIRE career, you knew them.

I know for as bad as I feel, Quavo has to be inconsolable.

I would be willing to wager Offset feels worse than him. Had he been there, he probably would have been the one to diffuse the situation.

After all, he is the one who doesn’t care about women.

I am tired, and I am sure this article is riddled with grammatical errors.

I don’t care.

Tell ALL your people how much they mean to you.

Patch up EVERYTHING with ANYONE who matters to you.

These senseless shootings are mounting up to an alarming amount.

The numbness sets in record time.

While we were right about the Migos and the key to their success, not one of us could have predicted this outcome.

Now the 3 can never reconcile.

Was it worth it?

I love music, but I hate the shit that comes with it.

Look out for your brothers, lest you lose the chance.

The City of Atlanta lost a real, integral part of their Culture this week.

And while I haven’t done a review or post in several months, it was important for me to take the time to deliver this message:

Fix it while you can.

Not tomorrow.

Not in the morning.

Now.

Takeoff was a talented artist, and by all accounts, a great man. He was low key, he stayed to himself, and minded his business. We lost him to more senseless foolishness, and the Migos lost their chance at reconciliation.

For what?

Fix it now.

Takeoff will be missed, but he will not be forgotten.

And if anyone of my brothers do want to go back to the Bando, they know what the password is-To this day.

                                                                        - The Knights of the Bando, 2013