As November 2022 started the Hip Hop industry took a major loss with the tragic death of Takeoff, member of the Migos rap group, which sparked a memory I will never forget. The concert of the Migos Homecoming October 16, 2014. It was my freshman year at Langston University, and my first concert to ever attend.
All that day everyone was excited about the Migos coming to Langston University to perform. “Handsome and Wealthy”, “Freak No More”, and “Wishy Washy” and more songs by the Migos was played all day until the concert started.
For Homecoming all the students reported to the multipurpose room to get their envelopes full of color-coded wristbands for each event. The orange wristband was for the concerts. To get in as a student we needed our student id or have on the wristband. Nonstudents had an admission of ten dollars. Pretty generous for a Migos concert.
It was chilly that night, so I dressed for the weather, black leggings and my high school sweatshirt with my name on the back. I proceed to the gym at 10:30p.m. because the concert started at 11:00p.m. As I’m leaving Centennial Apartments everybody is headed towards the gym. People from all over were filling the parking lots. I have never seen so many people in one space.
From the students and nonstudents there was no room to breathe. Packed in front of the gym, I decided to stand on the steps of the circle and talk on the phone while people walked up in groups. I was looking around and I saw a few of my friends from high school, but I couldn’t speak to them because I heard security shoot in the air ‘Pow’, then screaming, and the crowd running in all directions. The shot was fired due to a fight that broke out at the entrance of the concert.
We had to go through the blue doors to get in the concert, so things were hectic. Security was able to defuse the fight and calm the crowd. So, I thought, next thing I know another fight breaks out, and I get pushed, I push back, then I get my toes ran over, then almost knocked down. I look at the time it’s only 11:00p.m. and going home didn’t sound too bad, but I wanted to see the Migos.
So, I go to the opposite end of the gym because the crowd wasn’t as big. As I’m made my way to the crowd a limo pulls up and everybody rushes the limo. Three girls and a few males get out the limo. I make my way around the excited crowd and stand beside a black truck. Once everybody realized the Migos were not in the limo they go back to the doors.
While I’m standing next to the truck a white van pulled up and the Migos stepped out and stood between the truck and the van. I wanted to take a picture, but so much chaos happened I did not want to be knocked down just so they can surround the Migos, so I just watched them walk through the crowd with ease. As Quavo led Takeoff and Offset through the crowd, Takeoff said thank you. I’m not sure why, but I figured it was because I didn’t cause a scene. Once the Migos made it inside, the crown went wild AGAIN. More pushing, more fighting, and somebody got pepper sprayed.
I so should have gone home. Nope I went back to the main entrance and got in line. Back to the chaos I made it. Another person got pepper sprayed a few feet in front of me, and another, yet again, fight broke out. By now the concert should just be over but nope. Everybody’s calm yet again and I get surrounded by seven men taller than six feet three inches. I’m cool, just waiting to make it to the front. Then I here from my left, “Aye! There go Jay right there.” The boy next to me signals him.
It was in this moment I knew I should’ve gone home.
Once the boy to the left of me signaled him, Jay ran past security and opened the doors not being used. Three girls and I were pushed into the glass doors, one of the girls fell and got stomped bad. The security guards were pushing the boys back outside and helped us girls up. Once the doors were shut again, we were told to enter the concert.
All four of us were limping into the concert, and once we got inside the Migos were finally coming on stage. Offset and Quavo were most hyped while Takeoff was chill. They performed “Handsome and Wealthy” and “Freak No More” gave a few shoutouts then exited the stage. Then the Migos retreated to the room above the bleachers and people were lining up at the window taking pictures through the window.
I went through all that for two songs and to window shop for a picture. I finally got in the concert a little after 12:30a.m. just to be home by 1a.m. The next day I had bruises on my left leg, neck, and chest from the hinges and metal from the door.
The night of the concert, and Takeoff stepped out that van he breathed in the air first thing. Closely Takeoff, Quavo, and Offset spoke to each other, and that thank you from Takeoff was better than a picture. That’s an eternal memory for me to have myself. Takeoff was chill and on stage he was laid back. His tragedy really does hurt. Senseless violence is getting out of hand. I am not sure how the fights started Homecoming Oct. 16, 2014, but more than several bystanders were injured like some of the bystanders partying with Quavo and Takeoff Nov. 1, 2022. Takeoff was an innocent bystander that was struck by a stray bullet because of an argument he was not a part of. An argument should not turn into a fight then a shootout. What is the fighting and shooting for? Communication is key and without that senseless violence will continue to happen.
The Migos concert was my first time out to have fun as a freshman. That night had plenty to talk about the next day. It was the worst night ever on campus, but I am glad I was there to see the Migos for that split second.
R.I.P Kirshnik Khari Ball aka Takeoff
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