Rich Homie Quan, the Atlanta-based rapper born Dequantes Devontay Lamar, has died at the age of 34, according to various online reports. Known for his significant contributions to hip hop and sports culture in the early to mid-2010s, he gained fame with hits such as “Type of Way,” “Flex,” and “Lifestyle.” Before embarking on his rap career, Quan was a talented baseball player who received a scholarship to Fort Valley State University, a historically black college in Fort Valley, Georgia.
In a 2022 interview with VladTV, Quan discussed his decision to abandon baseball to pursue a career in music. He reflected on his high school accomplishments, stating, “I graduated from high school with a 3.2 GPA and I had a scholarship to go to Fort Valley to play baseball. My mind was on rapping though… As I started to get older, I realized that the percentage of black men in MLB was very small. So I’m like I’m good but I ain’t that good.”
Choosing to forgo the scholarship, Quan focused on his passion for music, leading to the release of one studio album, 23 singles, and nine mixtapes over the years. His hit single “Flex” earned RIAA certification as three times platinum.
Rich Homie Quan was also a familiar face on historically black college and university (HBCU) campuses, performing at events like Edward Waters’ alumni week in 2024 and at the Jackson State homecoming concert in 2017, which featured artists such as Lil Wayne, Yo Gotti, Cardi B, and Moneybagg Yo.
While no official cause of death has been confirmed, friends in the music industry, including Boosie Badazz, have suggested a possible drug overdose. TMZ has reported that Quan was found at his home in Atlanta, with the news confirmed by a representative from the Fulton County, Georgia morgue.
Though Rich Homie Quan did not pursue a career in baseball or academics, his influence through music resonated worldwide.