Rich Homie Quan, Atlanta Rapper, Dead at 34

Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan is dead at age 34. A family member confirmed the news to Rolling Stone and TMZ on September 5. No official cause of death was shared, though his friend and former collaborator Boosie Badazz tweeted on Thursday afternoon that he had “just got word” from an unspecified source that Rich Homie Quan had overdosed. “WE GOT SOME GOOD ASS MEMORIES TOGETHER N THAT GO ALWAYS BRING A SMILE TO MY FACE #restupquan WE WAS COOKING UP SOME SHIT TOO ????????,” Boosie added. Jacquees also shared the news of the rapper’s death on social media, tweeting, “Rest in Peace my brother Rich Homie Quan. I love you for Life. #Richgang.”

Born Dequantes Devontay Lamar in Atlanta, Rich Homie Quan began releasing official mixtapes in 2012 and quickly became recognized for his contributions to Atlanta trap music. In addition to solo hits including “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)” and “Type of Way,” he collaborated with Gucci Mane, YG, Travis Scott, and numerous other artists over the course of his career. Alongside Young Thug, he was a member of Cash Money Records’ musical supergroup Rich Gang, whose 2014 single “Lifestyle” peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100. His debut album, Rich As in Spirit, dropped in 2018.

In 2022, Rich Homie Quan told TMZ that hip-hop needed to “get back to real lyrics” and “real motivational music,” criticizing both “bubblegum” and “shoot ’em up, bang bang” approaches. Earlier this year, he released “Ah’ Chi” with 2 Chainz, teasing to Revolt in July that the track spoke to the theme of his next musical project. “It’s about elevating,” he said. “Quan staying him. Quan sticking to the script. Quan stay having fun. Quan 12 years-plus, still on.” He added that he hoped his new music would solidify his legacy. “Remember me as an original,” he reflected. “As [an] artist who did it his way. Remember me as a hard kid from Atlanta with a dream, who believed in himself and bettered himself — and won.”