Chicago’s rap community is mourning the death of BloodHound Q50, the young rapper whose real name was Mikquale Cooper.

Cooper was 22 years old when he was fatally shot in Chicago in the early hours of Sunday, September 13, 2026.

His death comes only weeks after the release of his latest project, Get Back or Die Trying, and shortly after he continued building momentum as an emerging figure in Chicago’s rap scene.

What Happened to BloodHound Q50?

According to current reports, a 22-year-old man was fatally shot in Chicago after two vehicles pulled alongside him and gunfire was exchanged.

The victim was identified in reports as BloodHound Q50, whose legal name was Mikquale Cooper.

The shooting occurred in the Fuller Park area of Chicago.

Police confirmed that a 22-year-old man was killed, while the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.

Authorities have not publicly established a motive, and details concerning any suspects or arrests remain limited.

BloodHound Q50 Dies at 22

Q50’s death has shocked fans who had been following the rapper’s rapidly developing career.

He had been releasing music consistently and had continued expanding his audience through collaborations and appearances within Chicago’s hip-hop community.

His death also came at a particularly active point in his career.

In August 2026, he released Get Back or Die Trying, a nine-track project released through Signal Records/Columbia.

The album had arrived only weeks before his death.

Who Was BloodHound Q50?

BloodHound Q50 was the stage name of Mikquale Cooper, a Chicago rapper who began taking music seriously around 2023.

He developed a following through Chicago’s drill and street-rap scene and became associated with the BloodHound collective.

His music often reflected his experiences, relationships and the losses that surrounded him.

Q50 also became known to a wider audience through his connections to other Chicago artists and through songs and projects that paid tribute to people he had lost.

His Connection to BloodHound Lil Jeff

One of the most significant relationships in Q50’s story was his connection to Bloodhound Lil Jeff, who was killed in Chicago in June 2024.

Q50 had previously spoken publicly about Lil Jeff and the impact his death had on him.

He described Lil Jeff as a close relative and brother-like figure in his life.

Q50 continued honoring him through his music, making his friend’s memory part of his artistic identity.

A Career That Was Still Growing

Q50’s career was still in its early stages when he died.

He began releasing music more seriously in 2023 and subsequently attracted attention through songs, collaborations and appearances connected to Chicago’s hip-hop scene.

His 2026 releases showed that he was continuing to develop as an artist.

His latest album, Get Back or Die Trying, was released on August 6, 2026, just over a month before his death.

The timing has made his death particularly painful for fans who had been watching his career develop.

Final Days and Last Social Media Post

Reports following Q50’s death have also drawn attention to an Instagram Story he reportedly posted only hours before the shooting.

The post has circulated widely online since news of his death emerged.

However, the meaning of the post should not be interpreted as evidence of what caused the shooting or as proof that Q50 knew he was in danger.

The circumstances surrounding the killing remain under investigation.

BloodHound Q50 Death Details

Chicago Rap Community Reacts

News of Q50’s death quickly spread throughout the hip-hop community.

Fans and fellow artists have shared condolences and tributes online, remembering the young rapper and his contribution to Chicago’s music scene.

Rolling Loud was among the prominent music organizations to publicly acknowledge his death with a tribute.

The response reflects the growing profile Q50 had developed despite his relatively short recording career.

Cause of Death

BloodHound Q50 died from gunshot injuries sustained in a Chicago shooting.

The broader circumstances of the shooting, including the motive and the identity of any person responsible, remain under investigation.

Unverified social-media claims about the shooting should not be treated as established facts unless confirmed by authorities or reliable reporting.

Funeral and Memorial Arrangements

Funeral, visitation and memorial arrangements for Mikquale Cooper have not been publicly announced at the time of publication.

Additional information may be released by his family or representatives as arrangements are made.

Remembering BloodHound Q50

BloodHound Q50’s career was still beginning to take shape when his life was cut short.

At 22, he had already established a recognizable identity within Chicago’s rap scene and released music that reflected the people and experiences that influenced him.

His latest album had arrived only weeks before his death, making the loss especially striking for listeners who had recently discovered his work.

For his family, friends, collaborators and fans, Q50’s death represents the loss of a young artist whose future remained largely unwritten.

Disclaimer

This article is based on currently available information concerning the death of BloodHound Q50, whose real name was Mikquale Cooper. The shooting remains under investigation, and details concerning the motive, suspects and circumstances may change as authorities release additional information. Funeral and memorial arrangements had not been publicly announced at the time of publication.