Dequantes Devontay Lamar, better known in the music world as Rich Homie Quan, has passed away, leaving behind a significant mark on the trap music scene. Born and raised in Atlanta, Lamar initially aspired to a career in professional baseball. However, financial constraints and a stint in jail for burglary redirected his path towards music.
Lamar’s journey into rap began with his 2012 mixtape, “I Go In on Every Song.” This was the start of his successful “Go In” series, with the third installment featuring the breakout single “Type of Way.” Released in the summer of 2013, the track catapulted Rich Homie Quan into the national spotlight with his distinctive melodic trap sound. His follow-up hits, including “Walk Thru” (2014) and “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)” (2015), solidified his place in the music industry, with “Flex” peaking at No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In addition to his solo career, Lamar was part of Rich Gang alongside childhood friend Young Thug. Their collaboration produced the 2014 hit “Lifestyle,” which reached the top five on the rap charts. Despite a falling out, Lamar continued to pursue his solo career with determination.
Following the release of six “Go In” mixtapes and a brief hiatus, Lamar made a comeback with his “Back to the Basics” mixtape in 2017. His sole full-length album, “Rich as in Spirit,” followed in 2018. Beyond his own tracks, Lamar featured on songs by notable artists such as Travis Scott, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Migos, and DaBaby.
Reflecting on his approach to music, Lamar once said, “[I]t ain’t what we rap about; it’s how we say it. You can hear the pain by what I say. It doesn’t even matter what word I say. You gon’ hear if he got pain in his voice or not.”
Tributes have poured in from fans and peers, highlighting his influence on Southern hip-hop and the countless college parties and gatherings where his music was a staple.