Rich Homie Quan

Early life

Dequantes Devontay Lamar was born on October 4 (birth year is disputed: 1989 or 1990, both are claimed with an identical date), in Atlanta, Georgia. In school, Lamar had a particular interest in reading. Literature was his favorite subject and he enjoyed creative writing classes. He played baseball for over four years while he attended Atlanta, Georgia's Ronald McNair Sr. High School with the aspiration to play professionally. As center fielder and leadoff hitter, Lamar began playing at the varsity level during his freshman year and earned a scholarship offer from Fort Valley State University. Due to the expense of tuition, Lamar dropped out after two weeks, then got a job at a nearby airport.

When he lost his job, Lamar got involved in burglaries, which led to him spending 15 months in jail. "I never saw myself going this far with music. Music was just a hobby at first. I never saw myself being on stage and rocking out shows. After I got out of jail, I started to take it more serious and that's when my dream came true", he said in an interview with XXL.

Rich Homie Quan was influenced by dirty south music, including Jeezy, Gucci Mane, T.I., Lil Boosie, Lil Wayne, Kilo Ali, Outkast, and Goodie Mob.

Career

In 2012, Lamar's song "Differences" was released as the first single from his mixtape Still Going In. In 2013, he toured with Trinidad James. He was also featured on Gucci Mane's album Trap House III on songs such as "I Heard", "Can't Trust Her" and "Chasin' Paper", which also features Young Thug. Reviewing his single, "Type of Way", The New York Times wrote that he was "part of Atlanta's rising generation of rappers—think Future, Young Thug, Young Scooter—who deliver lines with melody and heart, like singers on the verge of a breakdown". The song peaked at number 50 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Still Goin' In (Reloaded) would be named the tenth best mixtape of 2013 by Rolling Stone.

In August 2013, "Type of Way" was released to the iTunes Store by Def Jam Recordings, suggesting that he had signed to the label. However, Rich Homie Quan was still independent and was considering signing a deal with Cash Money Records. Quan was featured on the song "My Nigga" by YG also featuring Young Jeezy, which peaked at number 19 on the Hot 100. He was also featured on 2 Chainz' second studio album B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time, on the song "Extra". In September 2013, he confirmed that he was 30% done with his debut album.

His mixtape, called I Promise I Will Never Stop Going In was released on November 26, 2013. It was supported by the single "Walk Thru" featuring Problem. The 2013 Michigan State Spartans football team adopted "Type of Way" as an anthem, and Quan joined them on the sidelines in a green jersey at the 100th Rose Bowl, while also participating in their post-game locker-room celebration singing "Type of Way". He was named to the 2014 XXL freshman class.

On May 6, 2014, Rich Homie Quan went home to Atlanta to shoot the video for his single "Walk Thru" with Los Angeles rapper Problem. Hours later, it was reported that he had two "seizures," falling and "cracking his head" on set, according to TMZ. Rich Homie Quan cleared up the rumors by sending Billboard a statement saying that he fainted and hit his head. In this statement, he denied that the instance had anything to do with drugs. On September 29, 2014, he was part of the mixtape, called Rich Gang: Tha Tour Pt. 1. In February 2015, him, Tyga, Wale, Kid Ink, and YG released the song, "Ride Out," which would be part of the soundtrack for Furious 7.

His song "Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)" and its music video were released on April 1, 2015, on YouTube. The song peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the dance Quan did in the music video would become popular on Vine. In April 2015, he released his fifth mixtape, If You Ever Think I Will Stop Goin' In Ask Double R.

On March 16, 2017, Quan released his first single since 2015, "Replay". A mixtape, Back to the Basics followed on April 14, 2017. His debut studio album Rich as in Spirit was released on March 18, 2018. The album was supported by the two singles, "Changed" and "34". The album debuted at number thirty-two on the US Billboard 200.

In October 2022, Quan released the EP Family & Mula, which included the single "Krazy" and one guest appearance from NoCap. Speaking of the EP's release, Quan said he felt good to have a project out after not releasing one in over three years. The EP was re-released on November 18, 2022.

Legal issues

In November 2016, Quan sued his former label Think It's A Game for $2 million for unpaid royalties. The label counter-sued him for breach of contract. Both suits were later settled out of court.

On May 28, 2017, Quan was arrested with four others on felony drug charges after being stopped at a checkpoint on Highway 1 in Louisville, Georgia. Police claimed to have recovered heroin, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and weapons from the vehicle. Quan was charged with felony drug possession with intent to distribute.

Personal life and death

Lamar had four sons. His oldest was born in 2006, which Lamar did not know about until five years later.

On September 29, 2014, Lamar's father, Corey, was shot during an attempted robbery at a barber shop in Atlanta, but survived.

On September 5, 2024, Lamar's girlfriend told a 911 dispatcher that he was on the couch in the morning and had not moved when she returned from taking her son to school. She stated she could not feel a heartbeat, could not feel him breathing, and when she turned him over, he foamed at the mouth. Lamar died at an Atlanta hospital later that day at the age of 34. An autopsy was performed on September 6. The Fulton County medical examiner concluded that Lamar had died of an accidental overdose after taking multiple drugs, including fentanyl, alprazolam, codeine, and promethazine.

Discography

Main article: Rich Homie Quan discography

Studio albums

• Rich as in Spirit (2018)

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

References

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2. (February 28, 2017). "Rich Homie Quan Signs With Motown Records".
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6. "Songwriter/Composer: Lamar Dequantes Devontay". [[Broadcast Music, Inc..
7. Saponara, Michael. (September 5, 2024). "Rich Homie Quan Dead at 33".
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13. Krishnamurthy, Sowmya. (2016-10-19). "The Trials and Tribulations of Rich Homie Quan".
14. Robinson, Joshua. (2022-10-04). "Rich Homie Quan Discusses "Family & Mula" and How He's "Still Goin In," 10 Years Later".
15. "Rich Homie Quan on Birdman, Seizures and Why He Can't Stop Going In".
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17. (September 5, 2024). "Rich Homie Quan death: Rich Gang rapper dies aged 34 at home in Atlanta". The Independent.
18. "Rich Homie Quan On Rich Gang, PNB Rock, 1st Deal Worth $19K (Full Interview)". DJVlad.
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21. Fears, Tawni (January 30, 2013). [http://allhiphop.com/2013/01/30/3-questions-trinidad-james-rich-homie-quan/ 3 Questions With: Trinidad James' Label Mate Rich Homie Quan] {{Webarchive. link. (November 18, 2015 , ''AllHipHop.com'')
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39. (December 15, 2017). "Rich Homie Quan Drops Off New Single "Changed"".
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45. (June 1, 2017). "Rapper Rich Homie Quan arrested on drug charges in Jefferson County".
46. (August 19, 2020). "Rich Homie Quan and Girlfriend Are Expecting a Baby Boy".
47. "Rich Homie Quan On God and Reading A Book Every Day". Noisey.
48. (September 29, 2014). "Rich Homie Quan Father Gunned Down Hospitalized In Atlanta". TMZ.
49. (September 5, 2024). "Rich Homie Quan 911 Caller Says He Wasn't Breathing, No Heartbeat, Foaming At Mouth".
50. (September 5, 2024). "Rich Homie Quan, the Atlanta rapper known for trap jams like 'Type of Way,' dies at 33". [[Associated Press News]].
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54. (2024-10-02). "Rich Homie Quan died from accidental drug overdose involving fentanyl and codeine".
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