The Atlanta rap artist Rich Homie Quan, known for Type of Way and Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh), died on Thursday in Atlanta.
DeQuantes Devontay Lamar, 34, was one of Atlanta’s bedrock artists. Lamar grew up in DeKalb county, on Atlanta’s east side, and entered Atlanta’s evolving rap music scene in 2011 after a string of burglaries led to a stint in Georgia prison. His first hit, Type of Way, on his third mixtape led to deeper connections in Atlanta’s music circles, with connections to Gucci Mane and Birdman, and ultimately to the rapper Young Thug.
Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug struck gold in 2014 with the song Lifestyle, lifting both of them to the top of the charts, a place in XXL’s Freshman Class and serious success. But their musical partnership frayed shortly after that, which prosecutors believe led to a catastrophic falling-out between two factions of the Bloods street gang in Atlanta. Among the victims in that conflict was Corey Lamar, Rich Homie Quan’s father, who was shot at a barbershop he owns by rival gang members.
Prosecutors charged Jeffery Williams – Young Thug – in an expansive racketeering and gang case of the YSL street gang in 2022, a trial that has become the longest criminal case in Georgia history. Rich Homie Quan, Birdman and other rappers were named as potential witnesses in the trial.
Rich Homie Quan was notable for his distinct style, a melodic approach that acknowledged the trap sensibilities of Atlanta rap without surrendering to them. He was an ardent opponent of rap’s increasing lyrical focus on street life, crime and violence.
Acknowledgments of his passing and his impact have begun to flow from Atlanta’s musical community.
“Dam lil brother, we just spoke about shooting a video,” Atlanta rapper 2 Chainz said on Instagram. “Special prayer for you and your family, and pray for any and everybody that’s dealing with something. My condolences bru.”