In a tragic turn of events, OG Maco, the prominent Atlanta rapper known for his groundbreaking single, “U Guessed It,” has passed away at the age of 32. Reports indicate he died on December 26 in a Los Angeles hospital after being admitted on December 12 with a gunshot wound to the head, suspected to be self-inflicted. Despite spending two weeks in a coma, he could not be revived.
In a heartfelt statement released on social media, OG Maco’s family expressed, “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.”
They added, “While we grieve this immense loss, we also celebrate the extraordinary life he lived, one that will continue to inspire and uplift others. Maco’s influence, both as an artist and as a person, will remain forever etched in our hearts.”
Originating from the south side of Atlanta, OG Maco started making music as a high school student but became more committed to his craft following the tragic death of a friend in the music scene. This motivated him to co-found the label and collective OGG (Originality Gains Greatness), where he gained local recognition with his early single “Road Running” and electrifying live performances.
In 2014, he collaborated with fellow Atlanta artist Key! on the acclaimed EP Give Em Hell, featuring the hit single “U Guessed It.” This track, characterized by its punk minimalism and freeform trap style, became a defining anthem of the social media era, frequently shared across various platforms and solidifying Maco as a key figure in the evolving rap landscape. Following its success on the Billboard 100, he released the mixtape Live Life 2 and a self-titled EP, later signing with Quality Control Music for a range of short-form releases, including a feature on Diplo’s “Doctor Pepper.”
As Maco’s career flourished, he opened up about the challenges of navigating fame amidst personal loss. In a 2014 interview, he reflected on the emotional toll, stating, “I’ve got, like, show, show, funeral, show. It’s always something that’s happened that can make me angry. So I pull from it. But because I can rap, it’s not just pure yelling. It’s formatted, but it’s really just my pure emotion.”
