Chicago drill rapper Andre Hamilton, known as 051 Drilla, was shot multiple times while driving on the South Side early Friday and remained hospitalized after initially being listed in critical condition.
Police responded just after midnight on September 18, 2026, to reports of a person shot and a car crash near 89th Street and State Street in the 8800 block of South State Street. Officers found the 29-year-old inside his vehicle with gunshot wounds to the right eye, chest and left forearm.
According to Chicago police, Hamilton was driving when an unknown male opened fire and fled on foot. Hamilton then lost control of the car and crashed through a fence. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center.
A firearm and magazine were recovered at the scene. Area Two detectives are investigating. No suspects have been identified and no arrests have been made.
Hours after the shooting, Hamilton shared an Instagram story with the word “Hardbody,” indicating he had survived the attack. Multiple reports confirmed he is alive.
Hamilton, born October 8, 1996, is associated with the 051 Young Money set on Chicago’s South Side. He gained recognition in the drill scene with tracks including “51 Dead Opps,” released in 2018, which referenced numerous deceased individuals from rival groups and accumulated millions of views.
The incident came five days after the fatal shooting of fellow Chicago drill rapper Mikquale T. Cooper, known as BloodHound Q50. Cooper, 22, was killed around 4 a.m. on September 13 in an ambush at a BP gas station in the 4200 block of South Wentworth Avenue in the Fuller Park neighborhood.
According to a Chicago police report, Cooper was seated in the driver’s seat of a white Tesla when two vehicles pulled up and at least six gunmen opened fire, discharging more than 50 rounds. He was struck in the chest and shoulder and pronounced dead at the scene. No arrests have been announced in that case either.
Hamilton has been described in online discussions and earlier profiles as having faced previous attempts on his life. He has a documented history of arrests reflected in Chicago Police Department records and has spoken in interviews about growing up in the 051 area near 51st Street and Cottage Grove.
Chicago police have not publicly linked the two recent shootings. Both remain under active investigation by detectives from separate areas of the department.
