ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Cx1DJs We Do Things Different Podcast "Untold Stories of Rich Homie Quan" hosted by DJButterrock Dequantes Devontay Lamar[3] (October 4, 1989 – September 5, 2024), known professionally as Rich Homie Quan, was an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. Beginning his career in 2011, Lamar first saw mainstream success with his 2013 single "Type of Way", which peaked at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, his 2015 single, "Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)", saw further success at number 26 on the chart. Alongside fellow Atlanta rapper Young Thug, Lamar was a member of Cash Money Records' spin-off project Rich Gang, who found success with their 2014 single "Lifestyle".[4][5]
Lamar's debut studio album, Rich as in Spirit (2018), entered the Billboard 200 at number 33. The rapper died from an accidental drug overdose after taking multiple drugs, including fentanyl, alprazolam, codeine, and promethazine in 2024.
Early life
Dequantes Devontay Lamar[6] was born on October 4 (birth year is disputed: 1989 or 1990, both are claimed with an identical date),[a] in Atlanta, Georgia. In school, Lamar had a particular interest in reading. Literature was his favorite subject and he enjoyed creative writing classes.[4][15] He played baseball for over four years while he attended Atlanta, Georgia's Ronald McNair Sr. High School with the aspiration to play professionally. As center fielder and leadoff hitter, Lamar began playing at the varsity level during his freshman year and earned a scholarship offer from Fort Valley State University.[16] Due to the expense of tuition, Lamar dropped out after two weeks, then got a job at a nearby airport.[17]
When he lost his job, Lamar got involved in burglaries, which led to him spending 15 months in jail.[18][19] "I never saw myself going this far with music. Music was just a hobby at first. I never saw myself being on stage and rocking out shows. After I got out of jail, I started to take it more serious and that's when my dream came true", he said in an interview with XXL.[4]
Rich Homie Quan was influenced by dirty south music, including Jeezy, Gucci Mane, T.I., Lil Boosie, Lil Wayne, Kilo Ali, Outkast, and Goodie Mob.[4][5]
Career
In 2012, Lamar's song "Differences" was released as the first single from his mixtape Still Going In.[20] In 2013, he toured with Trinidad James.[21] He was also featured on Gucci Mane's album Trap House III on songs such as "I Heard", "Can't Trust Her" and "Chasin' Paper", which also features Young Thug. Reviewing his single, "Type of Way", The New York Times wrote that he was "part of Atlanta's rising generation of rappers—think Future, Young Thug, Young Scooter—who deliver lines with melody and heart, like singers on the verge of a breakdown".[22] The song peaked at number 50 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[23] Still Goin' In (Reloaded) would be named the tenth best mixtape of 2013 by Rolling Stone.[24]
In August 2013, "Type of Way" was released to the iTunes Store by Def Jam Recordings, suggesting that he had signed to the label.[25] However, Rich Homie Quan was still independent and was considering signing a deal with Cash Money Records.[26] Quan was featured on the song "My Nigga" by YG also featuring Young Jeezy, which peaked at number 19 on the Hot 100.[23] He was also featured on 2 Chainz' second studio album B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time, on the song "Extra". In September 2013, he confirmed that he was 30% done with his debut album.[27]
His mixtape, called I Promise I Will Never Stop Going In was released on November 26, 2013.[28] It was supported by the single "Walk Thru" featuring Problem.[29] The 2013 Michigan State Spartans football team adopted "Type of Way" as an anthem, and Quan joined them on the sidelines in a green jersey at the 100th Rose Bowl, while also participating in their post-game locker-room celebration singing "Type of Way".[30] He was named to the 2014 XXL freshman class.[31]
On May 6, 2014, Rich Homie Quan went home to Atlanta to shoot the video for his single "Walk Thru" with Los Angeles rapper Problem. Hours later, it was reported that he had two "seizures," falling and "cracking his head" on set, according to TMZ. Rich Homie Quan cleared up the rumors by sending Billboard a statement saying that he fainted and hit his head. In this statement, he denied that the instance had anything to do with drugs.[32] On September 29, 2014, he was part of the mixtape, called Rich Gang: Tha Tour Pt. 1.[33] In February 2015, him, Tyga, Wale, Kid Ink, and YG released the song, "Ride Out," which would be part of the soundtrack for Furious 7.[34]
His song "Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)" and its music video were released on April 1, 2015, on YouTube. The song peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the dance Quan did in the music video would become popular on Vine.[35] In April 2015, he released his fifth mixtape, If You Ever Think I Will Stop Goin' In Ask Double R.[36]
