Rich Homie Quan’s Family Members & Peers Deliver Emotional Tributes at Rapper’s Memorial Service
Rich Homie Quan was laid to rest during a memorial service in South Fulton, Ga., near his hometown of Atlanta, on Tuesday (Sept. 17). Hundreds of family members, friends and hip-hop peers gathered to pay tribute to the late 33-year-old rapper.
Quan’s parents, siblings and peers took the stage at World Changers Church International to deliver moving speeches paying homage to RHQ.
“From the day I met Quan and I held him, my life changed,” Quan’s father, Corey Lamar, said. “I knew failure was not an option. But little did Quan know, he pushed me to be a dad, a role model and to be an example as what a man should be. Built upon integrity, morals and values.
He continued: “It’s like now when I hear a Rich Homie Quan song, it sounds different to me. I was looking at Channel 2 News a week ago, and they mentioned Rich Homie Quan, and the lady said he’s an Atlanta icon. I just looked up at God and said, ‘God, I thank you.’ Transition is inevitable for all of us, and I know that day is gonna come where I’ll see him again.”
The “Type of Way” rapper’s younger brother, Andre Munford, took to the podium and recalled memories traveling the globe with Quan and how he changed their family’s fortunes with a microphone.
“My brother, he hurt me with this one,” Munford emotionally said. “To know we started this from a karaoke machine. My brother made his own beats he recorded his self. He learned to do that with no schoool.”
He reflected: “I appreciate him for taking me from 285 Old National to the Eastside, to endless flights. From endless oatmeal and cereal to continental breakfast and continental breakfast and personal chefs. We went from apartments — sometimes no hot water — we didn’t stop. I love you, man.”
Quan’s other siblings as well as peers such as Killer Mike and D.C. Young Fly also spoke at the funeral on Tuesday. Atlanta City Council Members Michael Julian Bond and Byron Amos declared Sept. 17 as Rich Homie Quan Day in the city.
Rich Homie Quan — born Dequantes Lamar — died Sept. 5 at 33 years old. Tributes from rappers immediately poured in, paying homage to the artist. His family released his first posthumous single “Song Cry” earlier this week. Quan is survived by his five children.
Watch the speeches below.
Michael Saponara
Billboard