Offset Still Hasn’t Got Over Takeoff’s Death, Says He Is ‘Fake Smiling’

Rapper Offset is "fake smiling" while mourning the death of his cousin and fellow rapper Takeoff.

Offset, whose real name is Kiari Kendrell Cephus, tweeted on Wednesday, “S*** not easy, fake smiling and s*** tryna keep walking with my head up." He also posted a photo of the late rapper that was taken while he was performing.

In response to his post on Twitter, fans offered the 31-year-old words of encouragement. One fan told him to keep moving forward "best you can and it kinda gets easier and hopefully many years from now you two will circle back." Another told him to keep his chin up, and said that Takeoff is with him "always and will always look over you no matter what. Don’t ever give up on that."

Takeoff, whose real name was Kirsnick Khari Ball, was shot and killed in a bowling alley. The shooting happened after his Migos bandmate Quavo was involved in a verbal fight with another group of people, reported Page Six. He was 28 when he died on Nov. 1. Since his death, Offset has been using social media to help him through his grieving process by tweeting about him.

Before celebrating his 31st birthday on Dec. 14 with wife and rapper Cardi B, Offset had tweeted that he was “in a dark place.” The father of five had earlier shared that he was “missing everything” about Takeoff, especially “that smile.” A few weeks ago, authorities arrested Patrick Xavier Clark, 33. He was charged with murder for Takeoff’s death, and his bond was decreased from $2 million to $1 million.

Recently, a judge allowed $5,000 for him to hire a private investigator to prove his innocence. Cameron Joshua, 22, was also arrested in connection with the shooting, and was charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon. As for Offset, TMZ reported that he was hanging out with Cardi B, her sister Hennessy and other friends and family during his 31st birthday party in Jamaica. He enjoyed a feast of giant lobsters and other various seafood at the Lobster Dave Seafood Restaurant and Sports Bar in Ocho Rios. He's had a rough 2022 due to the untimely death of Takeoff, with Cardi B even admitting that she was in a hopeless bind trying to cheer up her husband.