The name Chief Keef has long been tied to the raw realities of Chicago’s drill rap scene — a world where fame, street life and tragedy often collide. Over the years, several people close to the rapper have been caught up in violent incidents, and one of the most heartbreaking involved his cousin, the rising rapper known as Big Glo.

Big Glo, whose real name was Mario Hess, was not just a family member but also a collaborator and a key figure in the circle around Chief Keef. In Chicago’s drill movement, he was widely recognized as one of the voices helping push the gritty sound that emerged from the city’s South Side. His music reflected the environment he grew up in — intense, emotional and deeply connected to the streets.

In early 2014, Hess appeared to be on the brink of a major breakthrough. Reports at the time indicated that he had recently secured a significant recording opportunity and was working to build a name beyond Chicago. For those around him, the moment felt like the beginning of a new chapter — proof that the artists who had helped shape drill rap were finally gaining wider recognition.

But the momentum came to a devastating halt on April 9, 2014.

That night, Hess was reportedly in the Englewood neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side when gunfire erupted. Witnesses said two men approached and opened fire, striking him multiple times. The attack happened quickly and without warning, leaving those nearby shocked by the sudden burst of violence.

Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but the injuries were severe. Hess was pronounced dead shortly afterward. He was only 30 years old.

News of the killing spread quickly through the Chicago music community and across social media. Fans and fellow artists expressed shock and grief, recognizing that another promising voice from the drill scene had been silenced.

For Chief Keef, the loss was deeply personal. The two cousins had grown up in the same environment and shared the experience of navigating life in one of Chicago’s most dangerous neighborhoods. Their bond extended beyond music — they were family members who had witnessed each other’s struggles, ambitions and attempts to build a future through rap.

The tragedy also highlighted the difficult reality facing many young artists connected to Chicago’s drill movement. While the genre brought international attention and commercial success to several performers, it also remained closely tied to neighborhoods where violence was an everyday risk.

In the years since Hess’s death, his story has often resurfaced whenever discussions arise about the cost of fame for artists emerging from high-risk environments. The loss served as a painful reminder that behind the music and headlines are real families dealing with grief and unanswered questions.

For Chief Keef, whose career has taken him far beyond Chicago, the shadow of those early years continues to linger. Friends, collaborators and relatives who were once part of the same circle have been lost to violence, creating a long trail of tragedy connected to the community that shaped his music.

The death of Mario Hess — Big Glo — remains one of the most haunting chapters in that history. What once looked like the beginning of a promising rise in the rap world instead became another story of talent cut short, leaving behind memories, music and a family still coping with the loss.