Migos' Quavo honors Takeoff with anti-gun violence summit on late rapper’s birthday

Quavo teams up with VP Kamala Harris to address gun violence at the inaugural Rocket Foundation Summit in Atlanta.

Migos rapper Quavo marked what would have been his late nephew Takeoff’s 30th birthday by hosting the inaugural Rocket Foundation Summit at the Carter Center in Atlanta. 

The event, held on Tuesday, brought together notable figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris, for a day focused on gun violence prevention and youth programs.

Quavo, who has been deeply affected by Takeoff’s untimely death in 2022, shared his ongoing struggle with grief. 

“It’s super hard every day. I’m still crying. I’m still grieving. I’m still mourning,” said Quavo. 

In honor of Takeoff, he and his family launched the Rocket Foundation, committing millions to community violence intervention.

Last year, Quavo attended the Congressional Black Caucus legislative conference, where he connected with political leaders like Harris and Greg Jackson, the current deputy director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. 

Reflecting on the support he received, Quavo said, “Just to look behind me and see that I got the VP and guys like Greg Jackson and other survivors that actually fell victim to the same thing, I know that I’m not alone. This is my second calling. This is very personal to me. That’s what makes my drive and motivation to go even harder.”

Takeoff, an innocent bystander, was tragically shot outside a Houston bowling alley following a dispute over a dice game. 

His death is part of a troubling pattern of fatal shootings involving hip-hop artists, including Nipsey Hussle, Pop Smoke, PnB Rock, and Young Dolph.

Quavo describes the Rocket Foundation and its initiatives as a “certified movement.” Earlier this year, he launched the Sparks Grant program, providing $100,000 in grants to Atlanta-based organizations working to reduce community violence. 

“I feel like a lot of people just announce foundations and keep it moving for nonprofit purposes or even financial issues,” Quavo explained. 

“But I’m on the ground. I’m actually working. We’re getting things done. We’re getting results. We’re raising real money. We’re going down into the real communities where the problem has been an issue.”

During the summit, Quavo and Harris discussed the impact of community violence intervention and the crucial role of youth support systems in combating gun violence.

The event also featured a roundtable connecting families of victims with survivors, and panels focused on the gun violence crisis and long-term community solutions.

“To translate that pain and grief into something that is about creating strength and empowerment in the community — including our young — is pretty extraordinary,” Harris said during her discussion with Quavo.

“You have chosen to use your celebrity and the gifts you have as an artist to talk about and actually work on with action. It’s extraordinary. You are an incredible leader. A national leader on this.”