Rapper OG Maco died Thursday night after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound earlier this month, his family confirmed Friday.

The 32-year-old Atlanta native had been hospitalized in Los Angeles since Dec. 12 after a neighbor called 911 about shots fired at a home. According to TMZ, first responders arrived and found Maco with a gunshot wound to the head and a gun near his body.

The rapper, born Benedict Chiajulam Ihesiba Jr., was rushed to the hospital and underwent immediate surgery. Although his family previously said his condition had stabilized, he died after his condition worsened to critical while in a coma, TMZ reported.

Doctors reportedly struggled to perform a reliable brain scan to clear out the toxins in his system. He ultimately couldn’t be revived.

His family posted the news of his death on social media on Friday.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved Ben, known to the world as OG Maco,” they wrote. “His life was a testament to resilience, creativity and boundless love. Through his music, his passion and his unwavering spirit, he touched so many lives and left a lasting impression.”

OG Maco burst onto the music scene in 2014 with his viral hit “U Guessed It.” The following year, he was inducted into XXL’s 2015 Freshman Class, honored as one of the ten new artists who “define the new wave of hip-hop.”

Originally published: December 27, 2024 at 3:17 pm EST