The hip-hop community is mourning the loss of Atlanta-based rapper Rich Homie Quan, who died on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the age of 34.
The artist, whose real name was Dequantes Devontay Lamar, was found dead by his girlfriend at their home in Atlanta, Georgia, just weeks before he was set to perform in his hometown.
According to TMZ, Quan’s family confirmed his passing, stating they are “shattered and heartbroken” by the sudden loss, which occurred just a month shy of his 35th birthday.
TMZ received the recording of the 911 call related to Rich Homie Quan’s passing, during which his girlfriend informs the dispatcher that the rapper isn’t breathing and lacks a heartbeat. She also mentioned that he was unresponsive on the couch at their residence when she made the emergency call and he began to foam at the mouth as she attempted to reposition him.
A representative from the Fulton County morgue also verified the news to the outlet. While the cause of death has not been officially confirmed, online speculation and comments from fellow musicians point to a possible drug overdose.
Rich Homie Quan began his music career in 2010 after serving a 15-month sentence for burglary. He was celebrated in 2013 for his breakout single “Type of Way,” which peaked at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He followed this success with hits like “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)” and “Ride Out,” cementing his place in the Atlanta rap scene. Quan’s unique style, characterized by melodic flows and emotional delivery, quickly gained him a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim.
Throughout his career, Quan achieved significant success, amassing over 3.34 billion on-demand official U.S. streams. He released his debut studio album, “Rich As in Spirit,” in 2018, which entered the Billboard 200 chart. Quan’s music was known for its soulful and introspective nature, often reflecting on his personal struggles and experiences.
In a 2015 interview with Noisey, Quan revealed that he was entirely self-taught as an artist, drawing inspiration from those who came before him. “I’ve never had vocal lessons, no vocal coach, nothing,” he shared. “I listen to a lot of older music. I love those classic songs, and I think that’s why my music feels so soulful and filled with pain.”
His difficult life experiences also contributed to the emotional depth of his music. He spoke about losing friends and mentors to violence, and in 2014, his father was shot four times during a robbery in Atlanta, just as Quan’s career was beginning to take off.
“Every time, trouble has been ego,” Quan once said in a 2017 interview with VICE’s The Therapist, discussing his battles with personal demons and the desire to let go of his old ego that had caused him to miss opportunities.
Before his music career took off, Quan had aspirations of becoming a professional baseball player. He received a scholarship offer from Fort Valley State University, an HBCU in Georgia, but ultimately chose to pursue his passion for music. This decision would prove pivotal, leading him to become one of Atlanta’s rising rap stars in the mid-2010s.
Quan was also known for his collaborations and associations within the hip-hop world. He achieved further fame as part of the group Rich Gang, alongside fellow Atlanta rapper Young Thug, as part of a Cash Money Records project.
In recent years, Quan had continued to release music independently, with his latest single “Ah’Chi” featuring rapper 2 Chainz dropping in July 2024. He was scheduled to perform at Nick Cannon’s Wild N Out event in Atlanta in the coming weeks, sharing the stage with artists like Wacka Flocka and Nardo Wick.
The news of Quan’s passing has sent shockwaves through the music industry, with many artists taking to social media to express their condolences and pay tribute to the late rapper. Fellow Atlanta rapper Playboi Carti was among those leading the tributes, posting several clips of Quan on his Instagram story.
Quan’s untimely death comes at a time when he was still actively involved in the hip-hop scene. He was due to testify in the ongoing trial of his former bandmate Young Thug, who is currently facing charges related to alleged street gang activities.
As the hip-hop community and fans worldwide come to terms with the loss of Rich Homie Quan, his legacy as a talented artist who helped shape Atlanta’s rap scene in the 2010s remains intact.
