Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan, best known for his hit singles “Type of Way” and “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh),” has passed away at the age of 33.
The rapper, whose real name was Dequantes Devontay Lamar, died at an Atlanta hospital, according to the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office. Senior medical examiner investigator Jimmy Sadler stated that the office was notified of his death on Thursday, with an autopsy scheduled for Friday to determine the cause.
Quan rose to prominence in the mid-2010s, making a name for himself with several mixtapes before his 2013 breakthrough single, “Type of Way.” The track gained widespread popularity and was remixed by artists such as Jeezy and Meek Mill. He continued his rise in the industry with notable collaborations, including a YG track featuring Jeezy and the hit song “Lifestyle,” produced by London on da Track and released through the Rich Gang collective, which included Young Thug and Birdman.
Following the success of “Type of Way,” Quan released “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh),” which became his most successful solo track, peaking at No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also gained further attention as a featured artist on Lil Dicky’s viral hit “$ave Dat Money.”
In 2018, Quan released his debut and only studio album, Rich as in Spirit, which primarily featured his solo work, except for a collaboration with Rick Ross on the track “Think About It.”
Many fellow artists, including Quavo, Lil Boosie, and Playboi Carti, took to social media to honor Quan. Singer Jacquees shared his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), calling Quan a “legend” and expressing his love for him.
In a 2022 interview with media, Quan discussed his plans to return to the music scene after a break due to legal issues with his former label, T.I.G. (Think It’s a Game Records). During this time, Quan also became embroiled in a public disagreement with former collaborator Young Thug, who, along with rapper Gunna, was indicted on charges related to Georgia’s RICO Act, accusing them of involvement in gang-related activities.
Despite the fallout, Quan emphasized that he had no personal conflict with Young Thug and was open to reconciliation. He expressed concern over the targeting of rappers by law enforcement, stating that while some artists may portray certain behaviors in music videos, it was essential to recognize rap as a form of Black art. However, he also acknowledged that some rappers might be incriminating themselves through their public displays.
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“I think we’re showing too much,” Quan said. “In my music, I tell a story, but I don’t tell you exactly how I did it. It’s still Black art, but we are definitely being targeted. That’s why I’m careful about what I say in my music.”