Tributes have poured in from across the music industry following the death of US rapper Rich Homie Quan, whose passing was confirmed by authorities on Thursday. The artist, whose real name was Dequantes Devontay Lamar, died in Atlanta, Georgia. He was in his early 30s.
According to the Fulton County Medical Examiner, the cause of his death is yet to be determined, with an autopsy scheduled for Friday.
Rich Homie Quan rose to fame in the mid-2010s, becoming one of the best-known rappers to emerge from Atlanta. His 2013 hit “Type of Way” brought him mainstream success, followed by the popular single “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)” in 2015. The rapper’s unique sound and versatility garnered him nominations for multiple BET and BET Hip Hop Awards, including nods for Best New Artist and People’s Champ Award.
Throughout his career, Rich Homie Quan collaborated with several prominent figures in the industry, including 2 Chainz, Young Thug, Gucci Mane, and Trinidad James. His work cemented his legacy in Atlanta’s rap scene and beyond.
Born in October 1989, Rich Homie Quan was the eldest of three siblings and was raised in a single-parent home in Atlanta. Initially, he aspired to become a professional baseball player but eventually turned his focus to music. His early life was marked by struggles, including a 15-month prison sentence in 2011 for involvement in a series of burglaries. After his release, he poured his energy into his music career, rapidly gaining prominence in the rap scene.
Following the news of his death, fellow artists and collaborators shared heartfelt tributes. Singer Jacquees was among the first to express his grief, posting on social media: “Rest in Peace my brother Rich Homie Quan. I love you for Life.” He later called the rapper a “legend.”
Rapper 2 Chainz also paid tribute on Instagram, writing: “Dam lil brother, we just spoke about shooting a video. Special prayer for you and your family, and pray for any and everybody that’s dealing with something. My condolences, bru.”
Quavo shared a similar sentiment, posting an image of himself with Rich Homie Quan and several other artists. He captioned it: “May God be with us, never saw this being apart of our journey.”
Engineer Alex Tumay, who worked with Rich Homie Quan throughout his career, called the news “crushing.” “One of the nicest people I ever worked with and a true artist. Absolutely crushing news. RIP,” Tumay wrote.