What Happened to Kiari Kendrell Cephus?
Offset, born Kiari Kendrell Cephus, is an American rapper who rose to fame as one-third of the influential hip-hop trio Migos. Following the tragic death of group member Takeoff in 2022 and a period of solo focus, Offset released his third studio album 'KIARI' in 2025 and reunited with Quavo to reform Migos as a duo in May 2026. He also survived a shooting incident in April 2026 and continues to navigate a high-profile, on-again, off-again relationship with Cardi B.
Quick Answer
Offset, whose real name is Kiari Kendrell Cephus, has remained highly active in the music industry. In 2025, he released his third solo album, 'KIARI,' which featured collaborations with several prominent artists. A significant development in 2026 was the reunion of Migos as a duo with Quavo, following a period of individual projects and the tragic passing of Takeoff. In April 2026, Offset was hospitalized after being shot outside a Florida casino but has since recovered and continued his musical endeavors and performances.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Migos Group Formation
Offset, Quavo, and Takeoff form the hip-hop trio Migos in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
Migos Releases 'Culture'
Migos releases their second studio album, 'Culture,' which becomes a commercial success and peaks at number one on the Billboard 200.
Marries Cardi B
Offset secretly marries fellow rapper Cardi B in Atlanta, Georgia.
Releases 'Without Warning'
Offset releases the collaborative album 'Without Warning' with Metro Boomin and 21 Savage, which peaks within the top ten of the Billboard 200.
Releases 'Father of 4'
Offset releases his debut solo studio album, 'Father of 4,' which includes the Grammy-nominated single 'Clout' featuring Cardi B.
Takeoff Fatally Shot
Migos member Takeoff is fatally shot in Houston, Texas, leading to the group's eventual disbandment.
Releases 'Set It Off'
Offset releases his second solo studio album, 'Set It Off.'
Cardi B Files for Divorce
Cardi B files for divorce from Offset, though their co-parenting relationship continues.
Releases 'KIARI'
Offset releases his third solo studio album, 'KIARI,' a deeply personal project featuring artists like JID, Gunna, and John Legend.
Releases 'Haunted by Fame' Mixtape
Offset surprise-releases the mixtape 'Haunted by Fame.'
Shot in Florida
Offset is shot near the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, and is hospitalized in stable condition.
Released from Hospital
Offset is released from the hospital after the shooting incident, with his representative confirming he is stable and walking.
Performs at Coachella
Days after being shot, Offset performs at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, demonstrating his resilience.
Migos Reunites as Duo
Offset and Quavo officially announce the reunion of Migos as a duo, marking a new chapter for the group.
Follow this story
Get an email when this timeline gets a major update.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Kiari Kendrell Cephus, known professionally as Offset, established himself as a prominent figure in hip-hop as a member of the Atlanta-based trio Migos, alongside Quavo and the late Takeoff. The group achieved massive success with their distinctive triplet flow and chart-topping albums like 'Culture' (2017) and 'Culture II' (2018), solidifying their impact on mainstream music.
Offset also cultivated a successful solo career, releasing his debut album 'Father of 4' in 2019, which garnered critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination for the single "Clout" featuring his then-wife Cardi B. He continued his solo output with 'Set It Off' in 2023. The year 2025 saw the release of his third studio album, 'KIARI,' on August 22, a deeply personal project named after his birth name. The album featured a diverse range of collaborators including YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Gunna, JID, John Legend, and Ty Dolla Sign. Later that year, on October 31, 2025, he also surprise-released the mixtape 'Haunted by Fame.'
His personal life, particularly his marriage to fellow rapper Cardi B, has frequently been in the public eye. The couple, who married in 2017 and share two children, experienced several public ups and downs, including multiple cheating allegations and divorce filings. Cardi B filed for divorce in August 2024, and she gave birth to their third child, Blossom, in September 2024. Despite their separation, they have maintained a co-parenting relationship, with Cardi B publicly defending Offset as recently as March 2026.
The Migos group faced significant challenges, including rumors of internal conflict in 2022 and the tragic fatal shooting of Takeoff in November 2022, which led to the group's disbandment in 2023. However, a notable reunion occurred in May 2026 when Offset and Quavo officially reformed Migos as a duo, signaling a new chapter for the influential group. This followed Offset posting a photo of them in a recording studio on May 3, 2026, and the official announcement on May 5, 2026.
In April 2026, Offset was involved in a serious incident when he was shot near the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on April 6. He was hospitalized in stable condition and released by April 10, 2026. Rapper Lil Tjay was arrested in connection with an altercation that preceded the shooting, though not directly for the shooting itself. Despite the injury, Offset quickly returned to performing, including an appearance at Coachella on April 11, 2026, emphasizing his resilience and dedication to his career. Financially, Offset has faced some challenges, including a federal tax lien in 2025 for unpaid dues from 2022, amounting to $1.58 million, which was settled by December 2025. As of August 2026, Offset continues to be an active artist, performing solo and as part of the reunited Migos, demonstrating his enduring presence in the hip-hop landscape.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Kiari Kendrell Cephus made different choices?