Dequantes Devontay Lamar, better known by his stage name Rich Homie Quan, has tragically passed away at the age of 34. This rapper, famous for his signature melodic trap flow, reportedly died on September 5, 2024, in what is suspected to be an accidental overdose due to fake percocets laced with fentanyl. That devastating news was confirmed by a number of sources, including fellow rapper Boosie Badazz, who tweeted this heartfelt message:
“JUST GOT WORD @RichHomieQuan JUST OD ‼️JUST TALK TO WUAN THE OTHER DAY.”
Boosie says he was informed RichHomieQuan passed away from an alleged overdose PIC.TWITTER.COM/VWVJDUCYT2
— SAY CHEESE! 👄🧀 (@SaycheeseDGTL) SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
Another close source provides us with evidence that came from a close one from Quan.
Rich Homie Quan’s death is another bitter pill the music industry and his fans have to swallow. The deceased has lived a life plagued by substance abuse, which he spoke about in a couple of interviews regarding how drugs tied up with his upbringing and all that he was into. Although he spoke of rising above those challenges, such a lifestyle sooner or later gets too much to handle.
Rich Homie Quan made his mark in the hip-hop genre, coming up with chart-topping hits such as “Type of Way” and “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh).” From the breezy, melodic delivery, he amazingly stitched together his ability to infuse introspective lyrics. With a unique style, he helped fix a new wave of Atlanta trap in the early 2010s.
Besides the solo success, Quan was also a key member in Rich Gang, the collective he founded with fellow Atlanta rapper Young Thug and Cash Money Records co-founder Birdman. In 2014, Rich Gang: Tha Tour Pt. 1 was acclaimed as one of the most influential releases in modern trap music, with songs like “Lifestyle” cementing the group’s legacy.
In 2022, Quan took a significant step towards artistic independence by partnering with Venice Music. This allowed him to release music on his own terms under his label, Rich Homie Entertainment. His move into independent artistry was a turning point in his career, giving him full control over his creative output and business decisions.
Quan did not find it easy to become famous. Throughout his career, he spoke candidly of having lived a street life and being in gangs, often pitting him in opposition with his moral compass. In various interviews, Quan reflected on the tension between the streets and his own moral compass, acknowledging that his upbringing made it difficult to fully escape those influences.
Despite these conflicts, Quan remained popular within the circles of Atlanta rap. His affiliations with gang activity did, at times, bleed out into some troubling incidents, one of which happened in 2014 when his father was shot multiple times in a barbershop within the Bankhead neighborhood of Atlanta; this incident would later be linked to gang disputes.
The name Rich Homie Quan recently reached the public domain regarding the going-on trial involving the YSL RICO, which has taken Atlanta’s music scene hostage. Well, on September 3, 2024, one of those lighter but substantial moments happened when he was taken to court. State witness Kenneth “Lil Woody” Copeland, a man testifying against Young Thug, suddenly had the following for the rapper:
“Thug, did you have an issue with Rich Homie? “
-an unsaid and unexpected question that turned the courtroom into a rather jolly place. While it momentarily lightened the mood and tension of the trial, it also tied Quan firmly to Young Thug and gang-related activity.
Young Thug started laughing after Woody tried to ask him if he had issues with Rich Homie Quan from the witness stand 😭😭
— My Mixtapez (@mymixtapez) SEPTEMBER 3, 2024
The moment in court was also a quick callback to how complicated the relationships with other artists had been for Quan, especially with Young Thug. Sure, they had collaborated extensively during the Rich Gang era, but their friendship had gone sour over time, with rumors of personal and professional disagreements. The brief moment of laughter in the courtroom also underlined the nostalgia many felt for a collaborative era between the duo, which was the hot point in the career paths of both artists.
New angle of Atlanta rapper Young Thug laughing at YSL Woody while discussing Rich Homie Quan in courtPIC.TWITTER.COM/Q7BS08SYD5
— Kollege Kidd (@KollegeKidd) SEPTEMBER 4, 2024
Rich Homie Quan’s untimely death joins a sad reminder of counterfeit drugs and ever-present fentanyl that constantly knocks on the door into which the music community resides, where excessive substance abuse is increasingly inched closer toward vulnerability. It goes without saying, despite his struggles, hip-hop couldn’t be underrated by Quan. Fusing raw emotion with a polished, melodic flow helped redefine the trap sound of Atlanta, influencing a generation of artists that followed.
The windy road Quan traveled from the streets of Atlanta to hip-hop stardom was tumultuous, having its highs and low moments. His legacy, remembered in their mourning by fans and other performing artists, will be through the music that made him a household name and the personal battles he fought both publicly and privately. Rich Homie Quan had definitely left his mark within the music world-a catalog that still continued to create echoes in the ears of masses globally.
As he once said himself in the hit song “Type of Way,”
“My time is money, I can’t afford to wait.”
But life seemed to put on the brakes despite such words of bravado. His influence in hip-hop will live on.
