Offset is speaking out after being shot outside a Florida casino earlier this month, sharing that while the experience was scary, his focus has stayed on recovery, gratitude and getting right back to work.
The rapper, whose real name is Kiari Kendrell Cephus, opened up during the April 23 episode of the “Creators Inc.” podcast, which was filmed less than a week after the April 6 shooting outside Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood in Florida.
During the interview, Offset was still connected to an IV drip when host Andy Bachman asked him the obvious question: “How the hell did you even get here?”
Offset laughed it off and made it clear slowing down was never part of the plan.
“Gotta keep pushin’, like the Energizer Bunny, man,” he said. “Keep this s— pushin’. We don’t got time to be slowing down.”
The rapper had been treated at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, after suffering injuries in the shooting, which happened shortly after 7 p.m. in the valet area outside the casino.
Even while recovering, Offset said his mindset stayed the same.
“The show don’t never stop at the end of the day,” he said.
Offset Returned to the Stage Just Five Days Later
Just five days after the incident, Offset was already back on stage performing at the University of Arkansas’ Rowfest on April 11.
Per earlier reports, he arrived in a wheelchair but later stood up during the show and interacted with the crowd, showing fans he had no plans to stay sidelined for long.
He later shared footage from the performance on Instagram and captioned it simply, “REAL LOVE ❤️.”
When asked how he managed to perform so quickly and then travel to Los Angeles for the podcast interview, Offset explained that he flew on a G5 private plane while laying down in a bed and slept through most of the flight.
He also shared that he is currently working on a new album and said the music will reflect “what happens in my real life,” hinting that this experience may shape some of the new songs.
Offset said he does not want people feeling sorry for him and instead sees himself as fortunate.
“I was blessed enough to be able to still move, you know what I mean? So I’m still moving,” he said. “I’m pushing at the end of the day. The grind don’t stop, bro.”
‘Life’s a Gamble and I’m Still Playing to Win’
Shortly after the shooting, Offset also gave fans an update on Instagram, reassuring them that he was okay and focused on what matters most.
“Thank you to everyone who’s checked in on me and showed me love,” he wrote. “I’m good… but I’m planning to be better!”
He added that he was focused on “my family, my recovery, and getting back to the music,” before writing, “Life’s a gamble and I’m still playing to win.”
His spokesperson later confirmed that he was out of the hospital and “up and walking.”
The shooting reportedly stemmed from a fight in the valet area outside the casino. Two people were initially detained, and fellow rapper Lil Tjay was later arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor disorderly conduct-affray in connection to the incident, per People.
The Seminole Police Department said Lil Tjay had been involved in the fight before Offset was shot. However, Lil Tjay’s attorney pushed back on rumors connecting him directly to the shooting.
“Lil Tjay has not been shot, nor has Lil Tjay been charged with any shooting. Any reporting to the contrary is false,” his lawyer said in a statement posted to Instagram.
For Offset, though, the main takeaway has been perspective.
“I ain’t want nobody to feel sorry for me,” he said. “People get shot every day, bro. Like, I’m blessed. I can keep pushing, so why would I just sit down?”
