Chicago drill rapper Bloodhound Q50, whose real name is Mikquale Cooper, reportedly snorted a line of cocaine on Instagram Live to prove he survived an alleged assassination attempt in St. Louis. The 21-year-old rising star, known for his raw lyrics and street anthems like “Splash Bros”, has been at the center of swirling rumors following reports of a violent shooting targeting his entourage on August 17, 2025.
Here’s what we know about the alleged Bloodhound Q50 shooting, his defiant response, and the controversies surrounding him.
On Sunday morning, social media erupted with unverified claims that Q50’s vehicle was ambushed in St. Louis, with over 60 rounds allegedly fired from automatic weapons. Posts on X alleged the attack left four people, possibly including Q50, in critical condition after his car was riddled with bullets and left with flat tires. The incident reportedly followed a party or small venue appearance, with some speculating Q50 was lured to a fake show. A video circulating on Instagram Stories, showing a heavy police presence outside what appeared to be a hospital, fueled fears for the rapper’s safety. However, no official confirmation from St. Louis authorities has verified these claims.
Hours later, Q50 took to Instagram to shut down the rumors, posting photos with a cryptic caption:
“Notorious like Big Poppa but I ain’t goin like Chris Wallace da world know who the goblins they beggin fa me to stop it.”
He also reposted a story saying,
“Switchy watching all the fake news laughing,”
with laughing emojis, suggesting the reports were exaggerated. To further prove he was unharmed, Q50 shared a video of himself playing basketball, casually joking, “That’s a practice shot,” as he took to the court. The move was a clear message: he’s alive and well.
But it was Q50’s alleged Instagram Live session on August 18, 2025, that sent shockwaves through his fanbase. According to posts on X, the rapper snorted a line of cocaine on camera, a provocative act meant to taunt those who thought the St. Louis shooting had taken him down. During the Live, he reportedly rapped lines like,
“I’ll get you right, put them racks in, boom, I’ll make it cool, put them racks full of gold,”
and mentioned needing “Addiz alone,” a possible reference to Adderall. While no verified video of the cocaine incident has surfaced, the claims have sparked heated discussions online, with fans divided over whether it was a bold statement of survival or a reckless stunt.
Adding to the drama, Q50 has been linked to a separate controversy: an accusation that he stole $60,000 from a local St. Louis artist months earlier. Some believe this theft may have motivated the alleged ambush, with X posts claiming the artist trolled Q50 on Instagram Live after the shooting news broke. Q50’s reported ban from St. Louis, possibly tied to this incident, didn’t stop him from returning to the city, which may have escalated tensions. These claims, like the shooting, remain unconfirmed by official sources.
Q50’s tumultuous journey isn’t new. The rapper, who began taking music seriously after the death of his collaborator Bloodhound Lil Jeff in June 2024, has faced significant challenges. He survived a prior shooting in Chicago, where a bullet remains lodged in his leg, and is currently on parole for unlawful use of a weapon. The loss of his cousin, Bloodhound Zmoney, in 2023, and Lil Jeff’s death have shaped his gritty music and fearless persona, but they’ve also drawn scrutiny.
In a VladTV interview, Q50 clarified that lyrics about “catching eight bodies” were artistic, not literal, though they’ve fueled perceptions of his involvement in street life. As rumors continue to fly, Bloodhound Q50’s brazen response has only added another controversial chapter to his already turbulent career, leaving fans and critics to debate where the line between street reality and performance art lies.
