Atlanta rapper OG Maco shut down Internet rumors that he was dying from HIV/AIDS by issuing a statement via Instagram on Wednesday (Dec. 23).
My City: Atlanta, Featuring Raury, OG Maco & Father
“Despite the vicious rumors, I am in fine health and have no degenerative or deadly diseases,” he writes in the note that was posted as a screenshot. “My best holiday wishes to the person spreading this irresponsible and cruel rumor throughout social media, but know we are unmoved and will not falter in the face such cowardly and underhanded tactics.”
While the source of the Internet rumor is difficult to pinpoint, XXL notes that rumors sparked after an anonymous reader submitted a blind item to Baller Alert, claiming that “a popular rapper in Atlanta has been diagnosed with a deadly disease and has infected at least 2 women.”
Audio of a phone call recording that was uploaded to YouTube also made rounds online where a man named “Ben” — speculated to be OG Maco by Reddit users — claims he is dying while on the line with an unidentified female.
The Lowdown on Atlanta Hip-Hop Label Quality Control’s Young Hit Squad — From Migos to OG Maco
Billboard has reached out to the rapper’s rep to confirm the authenticity of the Instagram statement and that the voice recording is not associated with OG Maco but did not immediately hear back.