US rapper who inspired viral TikTok trend dies, aged 33

US rapper Rich Homie Quan, one of the biggest hip-hop names in the mid-2010s, has died at the age of 33.

Homie Quan, real name Dequantes Devontay Lamar, died in an Atlanta hospital, the Fulton County medical examiner said.

The cause of death was not immediately available, with a post-mortem scheduled for Friday.

Rapper Megan Thee Stallion posted an Instagram story with a picture of Quan saying: “RIP to one of the best.”

2 Chainz said he received news of the rapper’s death just after the two had discussed doing a video together.

“Dam lil brother, we just spoke about shooting a video, special prayer for you and your family, and pray for any and everybody that’s dealing with something my condolences bru.”

Quan had his breakthrough in music in 2013, with the Type Of Way – a song that became so successful that several other rappers jumped on the remix, including Jeezy and Meek Mill.

He maintained his momentum, appearing on a YG track with Jeezy and releasing Lifestyle, a London on da Track-produced song, through his Rich Gang rap collective that included Young Thug and Birdman.

Quan followed up with Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh), a song produced by DJ Spinz and Nitti Beatz.

It became his highest charting solo single at No 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He also featured on Lil Dicky’s Save Dat Money.

The rapper’s movements for Flex helped inspire the Hit the Quan dance craze in 2015.

In 2018, Quan debuted his first and only studio album Rich As In Spirit, which mostly went without any features, except for Think About It, a single with Rick Ross.

Quan spoke in 2022 about returning to music after an abrupt hiatus.

At the time, the rapper said he was going through litigation with independent label T.I.G. (Think It’s a Game Record), but was prepared to make a comeback.

During that time, Quan ended up in a feud with his old collaborator Young Thug who, with rapper Gunna, were among a group indicted on charges of conspiracy to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations Act and were also accused of participation in a criminal street gang.

Quan said there were no issues between him and Young Thug and was open to having a conversation with him if the opportunity presented itself.

He said he hated to see Young Thug in prison, adding rappers were being targeted by law enforcement.

“I wouldn’t say unfairly targeted because at the same time, some of these rappers are putting guns in videos and, you know, it’s like social media, it goes back to the social media thing,” he said.

“I think we showing too much, I think they’re showing too much.

“That’s the difference in my music, I’ma tell a story but I ain’t going to tell you how I did it,” he added.

“It’s still black art, but we’re definitely being targeted. So that’s why I’m mindful of what I say in my music.”

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