MediaPunch / BACKGRID

Migos rapper Takeoff did what he was supposed to do: he “checked in” with Houston area gangsters and still lost his life at age 28.

Takeoff, real name Kirshnik Khari Ball, was one third of the Atlanta rap group Migos alongside Quavo and Offset.

Out-of-town rappers are urged to “check in” with local gangsters whenever they visit a city. “Checking in” is gang terminology for getting permission to roam safely in the neighborhood the gang controls.

Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com

Takeoff (L) and his uncle Quavo (R) checked in with local gangsters in Houston, Texas on Monday. They were invited to a private party that night for a local gang leader.

Takeoff was fatally shot while watching a dice game between Quavo and the local gang banger. Dozens of people gathered on a large balcony outside 810 Billiards & Bowling to watch the dice game.

Quavo, 31, was reportedly upset over losing $7,000 when an argument broke out and shots were fired.

Prince Williams/ATLpics.net

Takeoff, an innocent bystander, was shot twice in the head and neck and pronounced dead at the scene. Quavo was not injured.

Two others were transported to a hospital with gunshot wounds.

Armed security guards who were in the area did not see the shooters.

Gruesome cell phone video shows Quavo screaming while attempting to lift his nephew off the floor.

Tributes poured in for Takeoff on Twitter. Atlanta’s pro teams the Falcons and the Hawks paid tribute to the fallen rapper.

Someone posted an old photo of Takeoff and Quavo as children.

Another person criticized hip-hop mogul J. Prince, Jr. for walking past Takeoff’s dead body on the floor.

“The way J Prince Jr. walked past takeoff on the ground is f-cking crazy. The way how the whole rap game gotta check in with these fraudulent niggas when they go to Houston is crazy.”

A video shows J. Prince strolling past Takeoff’s body while Quavo mourns his nephew.