Rich Homie Quan

Rich Homie Quan was an Atlanta-based rapper known for his melodic, hook-filled delivery and lyrics detailing his hardships and constant drive for success. He initiated a long series of mixtapes in 2012, and as a member of Rich Gang, released the highly acclaimed Tha Tour Part 1 in 2014, also appearing on the platinum-certified hit “Lifestyle.” Quan’s own “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)” went double platinum in 2015, and his long-awaited debut album, Rich as in Spirit, reached the Top 40 of the Billboard 200 in 2018. He continued releasing singles and EPs, including 2022′s Family & Mula, before his 2024 death. Dequantes Lamar first considered a career in professional baseball, but in 2008, the Atlanta native issued the single “Stay Down” featuring the Stack Money Boyz. Things came to a halt when he landed in jail for a year on burglary charges, but upon his release in 2011, Quan began to make up for lost time. Hooking up with the Atlanta crew Loyalty Ova Royalties and becoming quick friends with member CEO Teezy came next, but Teezy’s untimely death later in the year put a stop to Quan’s planned mixtape debut. He would re-emerge a year later on the Think It's a Game label and release the mixtapes I Go in on Every Song plus Still Goin' In. The year 2013 began with a tour opening for Trinidad James, along with a guest appearance on Gucci Mane’s Trap House 3 album. In the summer, Quan issued the infectious club track “Type of Way,” which cracked the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He also became a member of Rich Gang, and co-headlined the 2014 mixtape Tha Tour Part 1 with Birdman and Young Thug. The tape received widespread acclaim, and the non-album single “Lifestyle” reached number 16 on the Hot 100. Quan released the track “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)” in 2015, and it became his biggest solo hit, reaching number 26. Rich Homie Quan continued releasing mixtapes, and in 2016 he landed a record deal with Motown. March 2017 saw the release of the single “Replay,” which appeared on the Back to the Basics mixtape. Led by the singles “Change” and “34,” his debut album, Rich as in Spirit, arrived in March 2018, peaking at number 32 on the Billboard 200. He then put out the EP The Gif, and Coma followed in 2019. Quan resumed releasing solo material in 2021, with the singles “Daily Bread” and “To Be Worried.” His EP Family & Mula appeared in 2022. Rich Homie Quan died on September 5, 2024 at the age of 34. ~ David Jeffries & Paul Simpson