Due to his grief, Quavo discovered his mission as a strong champion against gun violence. He spoke privately with several key political leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris, before speaking on a panel on tackling the problem on Wednesday at the Washington Congressional Black Caucus legislative conference.
The Grammy-nominated rapper said Takeoff’s sudden death in 2022 compelled him to come up.
“I feel like your calling comes at the most unexpected times,” added Quavo, who previously honoured his nephew with Migos bandmate Offset earlier this summer at the BET Awards.
According to police, Takeoff was a bystander shot outside a Houston bowling facility after an argument over a lucrative dice game erupted into gunshots. Takeoff’s killing was the latest in recent years of deadly shootings involving hip-hop musicians such as Nipsey Hussle, Pop Smoke, PnB Rock, and Young Dolph.
“You don’t think nothing is going to happen,” Quavo said. “I need to get up to bat and hit a home run.” I have to do something to prevent it from happening to the masses, particularly in our society. I don’t want this to happen to anybody else. I aim to reduce these percentages.”
Quavo spoke on a panel with Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, Rep. Lucy McBath, whose advocacy was fueled by the shooting murder of her teenage son, and Greg Jackson of the Community Justice Action Fund on Wednesday.
It was a solution-focused discussion on community intervention tactics, the fight against gun violence, and the power of activism.
Earlier, Quavo attended the conference with his sister Titania Davenport, Takeoff’s mother.
Following their meeting, Quavo and Davenport were hailed by Harris for their “call to action” to avoid gun violence.
“We need to do better with gun control,” Quavo said. “We need to figure out how to keep these types of incidents from happening to people going anywhere and thinking they can hurt someone when they shouldn’t.”
After Takeoff was killed, Quavo often questioned himself, “How do we use (guns) safely?”
“And how do you keep them out of the hands of bad decision-makers?” he asked. “I’m sort of stuck in the middle. Even the cops have firearms. Unfortunately, several members of our culture and loved ones have died as a result of police violence. It’s all about options and how we can limit who can use these weapons.”
Quavo’s voice, according to Jackson, might make a difference. He praised the rapper for meeting with members of Congress, sharing personal knowledge and putting pressure on them to make meaningful changes.
“His voice and commitment around community violence intervention could provide more resources for those who are most at risk,” said Jackson, whose Community Justice group welcomed Quavo for an advocacy day.
They are both advocating for the passage of the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, which would give communities a $6.5 billion government grant to combat gun violence, implement preventative programs, and assist youngsters with job training and career development.
Jackson, who was shot in 2013, stated that the fight against gun violence has become personal.
“It’s exactly what we need,” Jackson said. “To reduce gun violence, we must change behaviour as aggressively as we focus on safety, ownership, and access.” But we won’t be able to alter behaviour if our communities lack the necessary resources, and our youngsters are being disregarded and abandoned.”
So far, Quavo has taken the appropriate steps: In celebration of Takeoff, the rapper and his family established the Rocket Foundation last year, and he pledged $2 million to invest in neighbourhood violence reduction. He hopes to develop additional after-school activities in regions where community facilities have been closed and basketball goal rims have been removed.
According to Quavo, keeping the kids engaged in valuable activities in a safe setting is critical. He’s already solicited help from members of the hip-hop community, notably musician Meek Mill, who has been involved in criminal justice reform.
However, Quavo admits that he needs more political support to streamline much-needed resources to the most fortunate.
“I feel like after going to the White House, I’m going to need resources,” he said. “I need a bag of goodies to bring back and say, ‘Here, this is for the culture.'” We’ve got that extension cord. We are immersed in such a kind of atmosphere. I believe our size is only as well connected. We need resources to make things change.”
