Fredo Santana (Derrick Coleman; July 4, 1990 – January 19, 2018) was an influential American rapper from
Chicago, Illinois, recognized as a pioneer of the drill music scene. As Chief Keef's older cousin, he gained
fame in 2011-2012 for his raw, gritty lyrics, releasing projects like It's a Scary Site and the debut album
Trappin Ain't Dead (2013).
Career
Fredo's first mixtape, It's a Scary Site, was released on September 20, 2012. It featured production by TM88,
Young Chop, 12Hunna, Leek E Leek, J-Hill, C-Sick, and Paris Bueller as well as guest appearances from Chief
Keef, Lil Reese, King L, Gino Marley, Frenchie, Lil Herb, Lil Bibby, and Lil Durk. Santana's second mixtape,
Fredo Kruger, was released on February 28, 2013, and featured production by 808 Mafia, Young Chop and Mike Will
Made It, as well as guest appearances from Migos, Juelz Santana, Soulja Boy, Young Scooter, Fat Trel, Alley Boy,
Lil Durk and Lil Reese among others. It would later be released for retail sale via iTunes on May 7, 2013.
Health problems
Santana was a heavy user of drugs, at one point being addicted to Xanax and Lean. Santana attributed his heavy
drug use to trauma experienced during his childhood, admitting he had post-traumatic stress disorder and turned
to drugs as a coping mechanism.
Santana was hospitalized in March 2017 after having a seizure, which he blamed on a heavy workload and his poor
sleep schedule. After the seizures persisted, Santana was diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy in May 2017 and was
prescribed Keppra to treat it. Despite the medicine, Santana continued to have seizures, usually multiple in a
row.
Santana was hospitalized once again in October 2017 after friend and fellow rapper Gino Marley found Santana
mid-seizure on the floor of his house with blood coming from his mouth. He was rushed to hospital and diagnosed
with both liver and kidney failure, with the main factors being his addiction to Xanax and Lean. Santana
expressed interest in going to rehab while in the hospital.
Death
On the evening of January 19, 2018, at around 11:30 p.m. local time, Santana's girlfriend discovered him
unresponsive at their home in Reseda, Los Angeles. Shortly after, Santana was pronounced dead, aged 27. He had a
fatal seizure, and an autopsy revealed he had developed cardiovascular disease in addition to the previous
conditions he had.
