Quavo in Washington DC on Sept. 20, 2023.Photo:Stephanie Scarbrough/AP
Stephanie Scarbrough/AP
Quavois turning the trauma of losing his nephewTakeoffto gun violence last year into advocacy.
The Migos musician, 32, headed to Washington on Wednesday to meet with members of Congress to take a stand against gun violence, per theAssociated Press.
During his visit, Quavo met with several political leaders including Vice PresidentKamala Harrisand discussed the issue during the Congressional Black Caucus legislative conference in Washington on Wednesday. He attended with his sister and Takeoff’s mother, Titania Davenport.
Quavo poses for a portrait at the White House in Washington on Sept. 20, 2023.Stephanie Scarbrough/AP
“I feel like your calling comes at the least expected times,” he said, according to the outlet. “You don’t think nothing is going to happen [to you]. I have to do something about it, so it won’t happen to the masses — especially in our culture. I don’t want this to happen to the next person. I want to knock down these percentages.”
“We need to do better with the control of guns,” Quavo said, according to the AP. “We need to figure out how do we keep these types of incidents from happening to people going anywhere and thinking they can hurt somebody where it shouldn’t happen.”
He also revealed he found himself questioning “How do we use [guns] safely?” following Takeoff’s death.
“And how do you keep them out of the hands of people that make bad decisions?” he added. “I’m kind of in a half-and-half place. Even police have guns. Unfortunately, some of the people in our culture and loved ones have been lost to police brutality. It’s all about choices and how we can put a filter on who can use these guns.”
Jackson, who was shot in 2013, praised Quavo for trying to create tangible change.
“His voice and commitment around community violence intervention could provide more resources for those who are most at risk,” said Jackson, whose Community Justice organization teamed up with Quavo for the panel.
Together, the “Nothing Changed” rapper and Jackson are trying to pass the Break the Cycle of Violence Act, “which would provide a $6.5 billion federal grant to communities to curb gun violence, create prevention programs, job training and workforce development for youths,” per the AP.
Takeoff and Quavo in Atlanta in June 2022.Paras Griffin/Getty
But to enact change, he “needs resources.”
“I feel like after going to the White House, I need resources,” he said. “I need a bag of goodies, so I can take back and say ‘Here, this is for the culture.’ We have that extension cord. We are plugged into that type of environment. I don’t think no one else in our stature is that connected. In order for things to change, we need resources.”
Takeoff, whose real name was Kirsnick Khari Ball, wasshot and killed outside the front door of a downtown bowling alley in Houstonin November 2022. He was 28.
Takeoff was at a private party with Quavo when an altercation broke out, but his uncle wasn’t injured.
source: people.com
