This past week, the world sadly lost two talented artists who have been loved by fans for years

and have left an impact on the music industry. On November 1st, rapper Takeoff from the hip

hop group Migos was fatally shot outside a bowling alley after a private party at 28 years old. On

November 5th, 90s teen popstar Aaron Carter died in his home at 34 and though the cause of

death is still ongoing, it’s most likely due to drug abuse since that is something he has openly

struggled about and police found compressed air canisters and medications in his bedroom.

Takeoff’s real name is Kirshnik Khari Ball and was an influential rapper in his group Migos with

family members Quavo and Offset where they had many chart topping hits such as Bad and

Boujee, Versace, and Stir Fry. The group split up earlier this year after a disagreement with

Offset but Takeoff and Quavo continued to make music as a duo. Takeoff was born in

Lawrenceville, Georgia and started rapping with his two family members in 2008 but didn’t start

producing music professionally until 2011. They rose to fame in 2013 with their single Versace

which was remixed by Drake, therefore making it even more popular. Their first number one

single was Bad and Boujee in 2016 and their second album, Culture, debuted at number 1 on the

US Billboard 200. After Takeoff’s death was announced, dozens of celebrities and rappers took

to social media to express their grief and send their condolences to his family and loved ones.

One thing for certain is that Takeoff certainly had an impact on the hip hop genre and his music

will be remembered for years to come.

Many members of Gen Z may not be aware of who Aaron Carter is since he was only extremely

popular in the late 90s and early 2000s but for millennials, he was a teenage heartthrob that many

young girls were fans of. The younger brother of Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, Aaron Carter has

been performing professionally since he was a kid when he released his debut album at only 9

years old which sold a million copies worldwide. He released two more albums over the years

which were just as successful and he also starred on Broadway in Seussical and off-broadway in

The Fantasticks. He also went on tour with The Backstreet Boys several times. However, he still

struggled personally with substance abuse and had tumultuous relationships with his siblings. Yet

that didn’t stop his family from expressing their love and grief for him after his death nor did it

stop other high profile celebrities who knew him from sharing wonderful stories about him and

how exuberant of a person he was. Carter is survived by his fiancee Martin, his brother Nick

Carter, and his sisters Angel and Bobbie Jean Carter.