Celebrity Celebrity Deaths Celebrity Death Tributes Rich Homie Quan's Family Pays Tribute to 'Beloved' Late Rapper: His 'Triumphant Spirit Lives On' (Exclusive) The "Type of Way" rapper died in Atlanta on Sept. 5 at age 34 By Rachel DeSantis Rachel DeSantis Rachel DeSantis is a senior writer on the music team at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2019, and her work has previously appeared in Entertainment Weekly and the New York Daily News. People Editorial Guidelines and Janine Rubenstein Janine Rubenstein Janine Rubenstein is Editor-at-Large at PEOPLE and host of PEOPLE Every Day podcast, a daily dose of breaking news, pop culture and heartwarming human interest stories. Formerly Senior Editor of music content, she's also covered crime, human interest and television news throughout her many years with the brand. Prior to PEOPLE she's written for Essence, The Cape Times newspaper and Los Angeles Magazine among others. On-screen Rubenstein can be found featured on shows like Good Morning America and Entertainment Tonight and she routinely hosts PEOPLE and Entertainment Weekly's star-studded Red Carpet Live specials. Follow the San Francisco native, Black Barbie collector and proud mom of two on Instagram and Twitter @janinerube People Editorial Guidelines Published on September 9, 2024 07:30PM EDT Rich Homie Quan. Photo: Courtesy of the Lamar Family Rich Homie Quan’s family is speaking out for the first time in the wake of the rapper’s tragic death. The hip-hop star (né Dequantes Devontay Lamar) died in Atlanta on Sept. 5 at age 34. A cause of death remains pending investigation. In a statement shared exclusively with PEOPLE, Lamar’s family reflected on their heartbreak at losing him, while also promising to ensure his legacy lives on. “On Thursday, September 5, 2024 the Lamar family lost our beloved son, brother, father and friend. Known to the world as Rich Homie Quan, Dequantes Devontay Lamar was a proud native of the great city of Atlanta, Georgia and represented for the A as he and his music traveled across this globe,” the statement read. Rich Homie Quan. Courtesy of the Lamar Family Rich Homie Quan, 'Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)' Rapper, Dies at 34 It continued, “While he leaves us with an undeniable hole in our hearts, we are comforted by knowing his music and triumphant spirit lives on. Quan’s legacy will forever be cemented as a soundtrack to our lives. And for this, we are grateful. Celebration of life details will be shared soon. Thank you to everyone for your kind words and support at this difficult time.” Lamar — who was known for hits like “Type of Way” and “Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)” — was a proud father of five; sons Devin, Royal, Khosen and Layor, as well as a daughter Alayna. The Fulton County medical examiner confirmed, saying in a statement that they were notified by Grady Memorial Hospital of the death of Dequantes Devontay Lamar. An autopsy was completed on Friday. Lamar's cause of death is unknown at this time, with the medical examiner saying the "cause and manner of death are pending the completion of laboratory studies and microscopic examination of tissue slides." Shortly after news broke of Lamar's death, the rapper received tributes from multiple fellow artists online. Boosie, 41, wrote "JUST TALKED TO YOU BRA #tipQUAN Never go forget yo smile n the way talked n of course yo music." The performer, born Oct. 4, 1989, started officially releasing music in 2012 before earning his first major hits the following year with the "Type of Way" as well as a feature on YG's "My N----" with Jeezy. “Type of Way” was the second single off his third mixtape Still Goin In: Reloaded. The song hit No. 50 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was certified gold. He also had memorable features on fellow rapper's hit songs like “Lifestyles” with Young Thug and “Save Dat Money” with Lil Dicky and Fetty Wap. His debut album, Rich as in Spirit, was released in March 2018 and peaked at No. 32 on the Billboard 200 chart. Close