Photo Credit: OG Maco’s Instagram
Rapper OG Maco has passed away following a hospital stay this month after an apparent suicide attempt.
OG Maco has died at age 32 after fighting for his life in the hospital following a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The rapper’s manager and family confirmed the news on Friday that OG Maco had passed away in the hospital on Thursday (December 26).
The Atlanta native had been in the intensive care unit at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles since December 12. He had been discovered with a self-inflicted gunshot wound following an apparent suicide attempt and taken to the hospital.
Since his admission to intensive care, rumors that OG Maco had passed started to circulate on social media. The family released a public statement earlier this month confirming he was still alive but in critical condition.
But on Friday (December 27), his family confirmed that he had passed, with a statement on his social media channels. “With heavy hearts, we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved Ben, known to the world as OG Maco,” the statement began. “His life was a testament to resilience, creativity, and boundless love. Through his music, passion, and unwavering spirit, he touched so many lives and left a lasting impact.”
“To all of Maco’s fans, friends, and supporters: thank you for standing by him throughout his journey. Today, we celebrate a life that was extraordinary in every way,” the statement concludes.
Born Benedict Chiajulam Ihesiba Jr., OG Maco hit the scene in 2014 with his breakout hit, “U Guessed It.” The success of that track secured him a deal with Quality Control Music, and he released numerous projects and mixtapes.
Unfortunately, his journey was not without significant medical challenges. In 2016, he survived a serious car accident that left him with multiple injuries. A few years later, he posted on social media about his battle with a rare skin condition, necrotizing fasciitis, resulting from an earlier facial injury that was poorly treated. The condition had severely impacted his appearance and required extensive treatment and multiple surgeries.
“So much healing has occurred thanks to God and my doctors that I’m willing to show all a fraction of what I’ve been going through,” wrote the rapper over a photo on Instagram. “I was improperly treated for a minor rash and ended up with a skin eating disease for the last few months. This is the best it’s looked. I hope it gives someone hope.”