Atlanta Rapper OG Maco Passes Away at 32

Atlanta-born rapper OG Maco, born Benedict Chiajulam Ihesiba Jr., passed away on Thursday, December 26 after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The “12 Bricks” rapper had been hospitalized since December 12 after suffering a gunshot wound to the head. According to his manager, Poppa Perc, Maco shot himself in the head and was rescued after neighbors called paramedics. Maco was rushed to the hospital on December 13, where he underwent emergency surgery and was placed on life support.

In a statement to AllHipHop, Maco’s manager stated “We were about rebrand and drop [new music] under a whole new alias.” In the same breath he urged for fans to keep the rapper in their prayers but advised them not to get their hopes up. Poppa Perc revealed that they were not allowed to enter the hospital due to how critical the situation was.

The Atlanta native made waves in 2014 with his banger ‘U Guessed It,’ landing him a spot on the 2015 XXL Freshman Class. However, several health issues, including a flesh-eating disease, altered his course. It is believed that his condition took a turn for the worse, causing him to go into critical condition and ultimately be unable to be revived.

Maco’s doctors had been struggling to get a proper brain scan in attempts to flush the toxins from his system since his initial arrival. Family and friends flew in from out of town to be there as the rapper transitioned.