Family, friends pay respects to Rich Homie Quan during service in South Fulton
SOUTH FULTON, Ga. - Family, friends and fans gathered in the City of South Fulton and College Park on Tuesday to lay popular Atlanta rapper Rich Homie Quan to rest.
Rich Homie Quan's service was designed to be a true celebration of life. While the service at World Changers Church International on Burdett Road was free, fans were required to reserve tickets to attend. Each of the three viewings was "sold out."
The artist was one of Atlanta’s most iconic rappers who became a legend around the world and helped shape the evolution of trap music.
Quan, whose legal name is Dequantes Devontay Lamar, died at an Atlanta hospital on Sept. 5. The Fulton County Medical Examiner has not yet released the full report on the cause of death.
Mourners say Rich Homey Quan was remembered as a light who touched and inspired so many people.
Music and praise filled the World Changers International Dome as so many celebrated his short but impactful life.
"He was an example of grace and didn’t let his ego get in the way of him being a good man," Rapper Michael "Killer Mike" Render said.
Quan had the admiration of his community. A whole movement of people was behind him. He was also very close to his five children, who talked about their father in a touching video that was played during the service.
The family has received letters from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House to Gov. Brian Kemp at the Georgia Statehouse.
Most speakers talked about the 34-year-old's career as he climbed the charts with hits on Billboard Records, but they also talked about his closeness to his mother, Tammy and his father, Corey LaMar, who was his best friend and protector.
"I lost my best friend. A kid I talked to eight or nine times a day. I was his protector. I am broken in a million pieces," said LaMar.
Many of the speakers said they plan to honor Quan's legacy by keeping his music alive.
Following the service, attendees who reserved a spot were also invited to The Bank, a club-like venue on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway NW, for a free after-party from 3 p.m. until the DJ taps out.
Rich Homie Quan, born Dequantes Devontay Lamar, is an Atlanta-born hitmaker. He really hit his stride in the 2010s with chart-toppers like "Walk Thru," "Lifestyle," "Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)," "Type of Way" and so many more. He's worked with plenty of celebrities, including Atlanta stars like Young Thug, 2 Chainz and Gucci Mane.
Quan's father and manager, Corey Lamar, originally said he wanted a quick, private service for the family to "start the healing process," but changed his mind.
"Without the fans, there would be no Quan," Lamar said.
South Fulton drivers were told to expect delays. There was also an increased South Fulton presence with officers patrolling throughout the city and along the Old National Corridor to be able to respond to any incidents. The Clayton County Sheriff's Office and College Park Police Department assisted.
What happened to Rich Homie Quan?
As previously reported, the cause of Rich Homie Quan's death has not been made public yet.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Rich Homie Quan at SiriusXM Studios on September 13, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)
According to a recently released police report, he was found sleeping on the kitchen floor by his brother at around 3 a.m. on Sept. 5. His brother then placed him on the couch.
His lifeless body was discovered later that morning by his girlfriend after she returned from dropping their child off at school.
He was only 34.
Rich Homie Quan is survived by his five children, his father and his girlfriend.