What disease did OG Maco have? Rapper’s past complications with skin disease explored in the wake of his death

OG Maco’s family confirmed his death on Friday, December 27, 2024. The announcement was made weeks after they released a statement that the rapper was in a “critical but stable condition” to debunk his death hoax. The cause of death wasn’t shared at the time of publishing this article.

As per the New York Post, the 32-year-old rapper was reportedly taken to the hospital on December 12 after an alleged self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The outlet also reported that the rapper was found in his Los Angeles home when his neighbor called 911 after hearing a gunshot.

On December 13, OG Maco’s manager, Poppa Perc, told AllHipHop that he thought the rapper “was dead” when he “first saw him.” However, he later clarified that Maco was alive but clinging to life at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Following the death hoax that went viral, Maco’s family shared a health update via the rapper’s official Instagram and X accounts. They said that he was in “critical but stable condition.” They wrote in part on December 16:

“We want to inform OG Maco’s fans, friends, and supporters that he is currently in a critical but stable condition. He is receiving the best possible care, and we are staying hopeful as he continues to fight.”

They also asked fans to come directly to his official social media accounts for updates as it was the “only source for valid information.” Later on December 27, they confirmed Maco’s death with a statement shared on Instagram:

“With heavy hearts, we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved Ben, known to the world as OG Maco.”

While his cause of death was never confirmed, OG Maco dealt with flesh-eating necrotizing fasciitisa skin-eating disease, years ago after he was improperly treated for a minor rash. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, necrotizing fasciitis is a rare but serious bacterial infection caused by group A strep bacteria and can be life-threatening.

Early symptoms of the disease can start as red, warm, and swollen areas on the skin. However, it can develop to include blisters, ulcers, and black spots. It can also cause sepsis, shock, organ failure, and other life-long complications like severe scarring and loss of limb.

Also read: Is OG Maco dead?

OG Maco previously detailed his struggle with his skin-eating disease while being alone

Back in March 2019, OG Maco opened up about battling with his skin-eating disease, a diagnosis he shared with his fans and followers on social media, per People magazine. He shared graphic pictures of his condition, showing scabbing that covers parts of his face and his head. He wrote in one of the pictures of his disease at the time:

“So much healing [sic] occurred thanks to God and my doctors that I’m willing to show all a fraction of what I’ve been going through.”

OG Maco revealed that the skin-eating disease diagnosis came after he was “improperly treated for a minor rash,” and that had been happening on his skin for the last few months.

He also said in one of the videos he shared at the time, which DJ Akademiks reshared on his Instagram, about how scared he was and about becoming depressed after getting his necrotizing fasciitis diagnosis. In the clip, the rapper can be heard saying:

“Everybody I really thought would be here, who I really thought I could depend on, weren’t there. I was scared. I didn’t know what was going to happen. I didn’t know if I was going to lose my entire face. I almost did.”

However, he said that a friend encouraged him to express what he had been going through, instead of allowing it to beat him down.

Also read: Popular rappers and musicians we lost in 2024

Edited by DEEPALI