The hip-hop community was rocked by the sudden death of Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan, whose passing was confirmed by the Fulton County Medical Examiner on Thursday. The 34-year-old, born Dequantes Devontay Lamar, was pronounced dead at an Atlanta hospital, though the cause of death remains unknown. TMZ obtained the 911 audio from a call made by his girlfriend, Amber Williams, which offers insight into the moments leading up to his untimely death.
According to the call, Williams found Rich Homie Quan unresponsive on the couch after returning home from taking her son to school. She had left him resting earlier, covering him with a blanket. However, when she returned, the rapper had not moved, and she couldn’t feel his heartbeat. His lack of breathing, along with the foaming at his mouth, led her to call 911 in a desperate attempt to save him. Despite her efforts, Rich Homie Quan was pronounced dead shortly after at the hospital.
Rich Homie Quan’s death marks a tragic end to a career that helped define Atlanta’s hip-hop scene in the 2010s. Rising to fame in 2013 with his hit “Type of Way,” the rapper quickly became a household name. The song’s catchy hook and distinctive melodic style garnered attention from major players in the industry, leading to remixes featuring big names like Jeezy and Meek Mill. He continued to build on that momentum with collaborations on YG’s hit “My Nigga” and the chart-topping “Lifestyle” alongside Young Thug and Birdman as part of the Rich Gang collective.
Rich Homie Quan’s career was marked by a unique melodic flow that set him apart in the hip-hop scene, making him one of the most recognizable voices in Atlanta’s rap renaissance. His string of mixtapes, beginning with I Go In on Every Song in 2012, solidified his presence in the industry. Songs like “Walk Thru” and “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)” became anthems, the latter gaining viral fame due to a popular dance that took over social media.
Fans and fellow artists took to social media to pay tribute to the rapper following his death. One fan on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, “RIP Rich Homie Quan, 1/2 of the greatest group since Outkast, the melodic genius who never stopped going in, who sang & wrote hooks as memorable as anything to ever chart, pop masterpieces straight out the mud.”
Born in Atlanta, Rich Homie Quan had a challenging path to success. He faced legal troubles early in life, spending time in DeKalb County Jail for 15 months at the age of 21. During that time, he turned to books by authors like James Patterson and Sandra Brown and focused on writing music, using his experiences to fuel his creativity. Upon his release, he doubled down on his music career, releasing a slew of mixtapes that emphasized his work ethic and hunger for success.
Despite his rise to fame, Rich Homie Quan’s journey was not without its struggles. After his breakout years with Rich Gang, he continued to release music, including his debut studio album Rich as in Spirit in 2018. Yet, the rapper remained keen on being more than just a hitmaker. In an interview just a day before his death, he expressed his desire for his music to leave a lasting impact. “I want people to appreciate the music. The times we in, you play a song, and that shit old in two days,” he told the interviewer, emphasizing his passion for creating meaningful art.
Rich Homie Quan is survived by his family, including his three siblings and his parents, with whom he maintained a close relationship. His passing leaves a void in the Atlanta rap scene, where his influence and contributions will be remembered for years to come. Fans and fellow artists continue to mourn his loss, as the world waits for further information on the cause of his death.