Throwback Migos Photo Resurfaces of Group Before Fame After Takeoff Death

A throwback photo of Migos before their rise to fame has resurfaced after the tragic death of youngest member, Takeoff.

The 28-year-old was fatally shot outside a bowling alley in Houston, Texas in the early hours of Tuesday morning after a night out with his uncle and fellow Migo, Quavo.

Takeoff—given name Kirsnick Khari Ball—died after a "stray bullet" hit him during an alleged argument outside the venue, according to his record label.

Tributes poured in for the young rapper from around the world, with one fan digging up an early photo of the trio, which included former member Offset.

In the throwback, the trap group are missing their trademark tattoos, big sunglasses and grills, and even showed Offset sporting his short, natural hair.

It is not known where or when the photo was taken but a billboard seen in the background for Beyoncé's Life is But a Dream documentary suggests it was in 2013.

Independent hip hop artist, Mase Blanco, posted the photo to Twitter after Takeoff's death, captioning the photo "young Migos."

The trio began performing together in 2008 in their home state of Georgia under the name of Polo Club, but it wouldn't be until 2011 that they would appear as Migos.

Takeoff was part of the group alongside his uncle Quavo—Quavious Keyate Marshall—and cousin Offset—Kiari Kendrell Cephus.

They had their first big hit in 2013 with their debut single "Versace," but it wasn't until Donald Glover name checked them in his 2017 Golden Globes speech that Migos became global superstars.

Glover was accepting the award for best comedy series for his FX show Atlanta where he labeled the group "The Beatles of this generation."

The actor had used their breakout hit "Bad & Boujee" in the first season of Atlanta.

"I'd like to thank the Migos — not for being on the show, but for making 'Bad and Boujee," Glover said in his acceptance speech.

He later added backstage: "I think that they're the Beatles of this generation and they don't get a lot of respect, I think, outside of Atlanta.

"Not that they don't get respect, but there's a generation, sort of like the YouTube generation that I kind of came up with. There's a generation of kids that are growing up on something that's completely separate from a whole group of people.

Houston Police gave a press conference on Tuesday evening where they described the events leading up to Takeoff's shooting. Houston PD Sergeant Michael Arrington revealed two more people had been shot and were in hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

"A large group of people had gathered at the front door area just outside the building, and it led to an argument where the shooting took place from the disagreement," Arrington said.

"A lot of people that were there, fled the scene and did not stick around to give a statement."

He pleaded for information from the public to track down those responsible.

Houston Police chief Troy Finner added that he "would not expect [Takeoff] to be involved" in the disagreement before the shooting, saying "we have no reason to believe he was involved in anything criminal at the time."

Quavo was with Takeoff at the time of the incident and could be seen screaming in distress over his dead nephew's body in videos circulating on social media.

Migos appeared to split up in May when Offset and his wife, rapper Cardi B, unfollowed both other band members on Instagram.

Offset is due to release his second solo studio album on November 11, while Quavo and Offset had just dropped the music video for their song "Messy" on Monday.

They released their first studio album as a duo called Only Built for Infinity Links on October 7.

Migos released their last album and final part to their trilogy, Culture III, in June last year.