Rising Chicago Drill Star Lil Scoom, 18, Slain in South Side Shooting

Photo Credit: Instagram/_lilscoom89

Rising Chicago rapper Lil Scoom, whose real name was Asyrion Hogan, was fatally shot July 7 in the Chatham neighborhood on the city's South Side.

According to police the 18-year-old artist, known for his hit song "Caught On," was involved in a verbal altercation that escalated into gunfire around 11:50 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of 89th Place and Langley Avenue.

Chicago rapper Lil Scoom was shot and killed yesterday, only 1 month after he made a diss track for Lil Durk’s artist that was also shot and killed Lil Jeff. pic.twitter.com/Loqn6e03rj

— TMC Music Connoisseur 🇯🇲 WATCH S2TIMES 🤩 (@MusicConnoisseu) July 9, 2024

Hogan and his 16-year-old friend were confronted by an unidentified individual. As the conflict intensified, shots were fired, striking Hogan twice in the chest. He was rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. His friend, who was also wounded, is expected to recover.

Chicago police responded to the scene and pursued a suspect who fled on foot. During the chase, the suspect fired at officers, prompting a 10-1 emergency call for immediate backup. Multiple districts and the CPD SWAT team responded, but the suspect managed to escape.

Signal Records, Lil Scoom's label, confirmed his death in a statement: "It is with great sadness that we share the loss of our artist @_lilscoom89. A true creative, Scoom's passion for music was evident in the near-constant flow of songs and videos to his fans. His immense talent, ambitious vision, and quiet determination made him a one of one and an inspiration to so many. We will miss him dearly. Our thoughts are with his family."

Hogan's music often reflected the harsh realities of life in his neighborhood, including themes of violence, poverty, and drug use. He was a prominent figure in the Chicago drill scene, known for his raw lyrics and aggressive delivery. His popularity had been growing, with millions of streams on platforms like YouTube and Spotify.

Lil Scoom was also involved in several online feuds with other rappers, including FBG Cash, Lil Jay, and Memo600. These conflicts, often played out on social media, have raised concerns about their potential to incite real-life violence.

The shooting occurred amid a surge in gun violence in Chicago over the extended July Fourth weekend, which saw more than 109 victims, including 19 fatalities.

Chicago police continue to investigate the incident and search for the suspect involved in the shooting.