Los Angeles Lakers Shaquille O’Neal recently opened up about the sad demise of the popular rapper TakeOff. The four-time NBA champ got emotional as he gave Takeoff a short tribute on The Big Podcast by Shaq. O’Neal also opened up about his old violent ways before making an honest plea to stop deadly gun violence.

The recent iteration of the Big Podcast did not kick off in the usual giggly and joking manner. Shaquille O’Neal took a moment to mention the shocking death of rapper Takeoff. Shaq reckoned that it was another sad day for the hip-hop nation as he woke up hearing the news about Takeoff’s death. The three-time Finals MVP stated that he met with the hospitable rapper a couple of times in the past.

Shaquille O’Neal gets emotional about Takeoff’s passing

An emotional Shaq suggested that the community had lost another brother to gun violence. The host Nischelle Turner asked O’Neal for a solution to stop such violent atrocities. The Lakers legend said that people would have to change their disposition to make the change happen. Shaq said, “I’m a fighter, I like to fight, but not to the point where I want to take your life.”

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Moreover, the Big Diesel stated that he would have posted the solution if he knew a way to stop violent incidents like the one that took Takeoff’s life recently. O’Neal added, “But, we need to start loving again.”

Shaq urged the people to keep loving one another and live together in harmony, instead of harboring the intent to end each other’s lives.

Takeoff’s shocking demise

Takeoff was a member of the famous hip-hop trio Migos. He was recently shot in Houston on Tuesday, November 1. The rapper was shot and killed after an argument that ensued at 2:30 AM at a bowling alley in downtown Houston. Takeoff’s uncle and fellow Migos star, Quavo was present at the scene during the incident.

The officers at the scene revealed that around 40-50 people were present on Tuesday night at the bowling alley when the incident took place. Two other people were also shot during the violent encounter while Quavo was unharmed.

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Shaquille O’Neal was really touched by the untimely death of fellow artist Takeoff as he found it hard to get a hold of his emotions. The Lakers legend hoped that times will change and people would start loving one another like in the old days.