Quavo Performs Emotional Tribute To Takeoff At 2023 Grammys

Quavo performed an emotional tribute for Takeoff during the In-Memoriam segment of the Grammys on Sunday (Feb. 5). The Migos rapper hit the stage with the Maverick City Music choir to perform his song “Without You.” It was Quavo’s first song since Takeoff’s death in November. He released the song as a single in January.

“Tears rolling down my eyes / Can’t tell you how many times I cried / Days ain’t the same without you / I don’t know if I’m the same without you,” he sings over the somber beat.

Takeoff (real name Kirshnik Khari Ball) was shot and killed outside a Houston bowling alley on November 1. This came weeks after Quavo and him released their first collaborative album as a duo Only Built For Infinity Links.

Quavo releasing “Without You” marked the second time that Quavo has openly addressed Takeoff’s death. In a three-page tribute, Qauvo said, in part, that his nephew had a “real passion” for music. He said that he was the one that created the triplet flow that became Migos’ signature sound.  “I am proud to be ya uncle. I’m proud we saw the world and done things we couldn’t ever imagine together,” Quavo wrote.

Currently, the suspected killer, Patrick Clark, has been released on a $1 million bond. Clark’s next court date is scheduled for March 9.

The Best Hip-Hop and R&B Songs Of January 2023

• "Gangsta Boo" - Ice Spice ft. Lil Tjay

  For her debut EP, Like..? Ice Spice tapped in fellow Bronx rapper Lil Tjay for “Gangsta Boo.” The track sample’s Diddy’s “I Need a Girl (Part 2).” “Gangsta Boo” is Ice Spice’s first Billboard Hot 100 chart entry at #82.

• "Without You" - Quavo

  Quavo pours his heart out on the emotional tribute to the late Takeoff on “Without You.” In the music video, Quavo is seen smoking in the studio as the track plays behind him. This is Quavo’s first song since Takeoff’s death on Nov. 1, 2022.

• "Same Problems?" - A$AP Rocky

  On the anniversary of A$AP Yams’ death (Jan. 15), A$AP Rocky released his first single of 2023, titled “Same Problems?” The track pays tribute to those who’ve recently died. In the song, he calls out the intention of actually getting involved to stop senseless killings in the community.

• "Pray It Away" - Chlöe

  “Pray It Away” finds Chlöe regretting a previous relationship and wanting to focus on healing. The song is part of her rollout leading to her debut LP In Pieces which is set to be released in March.

• "Procrastination (Broke)" - J. Cole

  J. Cole surprised fans by dropping “Procrastination (Broke)” to a Brooklyn producer’s YouTube channel this month. In the song, Cole raps about still having the habit of putting things off in adulthood.

• "Two Tens" - Cordae ft. Anderson .paak

  Cordae and Anderson .paak teamed up for their latest single “Two Tens.” In the music video, both artists are seen in the club rapping back and forth in conversation about two friends. J. Cole and Dem Jointz produced the song.

• "Sucka Or Sum" - Rae Sremmurd

  In “Sucka Or Sum” Rae Sremmurd raps about refusing to be played. SremmLife 4 doesn’t have a release date but the sibling duo will most likely have this track on the long-awaited album.

• "Tally" - Midwxst and Denzel Curry

  Midwxst and Denzel Curry teamed up for “Tally” this month. Just like the artists, the music video gives a unique twist on the 1942 classic film Casablanca.

• Knight Crawler - Trippie Redd ft. JuiceWRLD

  Trippie Redd taps in a posthumous feature from JuiceWRLD on “Knight Crawler.” This track appears on Trippie Redd’s album Mansion Musik that debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart.

• "If I Stop Now" - EST Gee

  “If I Stop Now” is just one of the singles EST Gee has dropped in 2023. The Louisville native also released “Blow Up” on January 27. “If I Stop Now,” is more of a melodic rap song from him where he addresses his mental health in contrast to his fame. “Blow Up” has an opposite vibe with booming 808s.