Rich Homie Quan was different. When Type of Way dropped in 2013, the Atlanta rap scene was already undergoing a massive tectonic shift, but Quan brought something that felt weirdly vulnerable yet incredibly hard at the same time. You couldn’t go to a club, a cookout, or even a local gas station without hearing that infectious, melodic hook. It wasn't just a song; it became a literal part of the American lexicon. People started saying they were "feeling some type of way" about everything from their breakfast to their relationships.
It’s rare for a debut single to carry that much weight. Honestly, most rappers spend their entire careers chasing a lightning-in-a-bottle moment like that. Quan didn’t have to chase it. He lived it.
The Unlikely Rise of a Melodic Powerhouse
Dequantes Devontay Lamar, known to the world as Rich Homie Quan, didn't have the typical "aspiring rapper" start. He was a baseball player. He was a scholar. Then, life got messy. After a stint in jail, he turned to music as a literal lifeline, and by the time he linked up with TIG Records, he had a perspective that was raw and unfiltered.
When he recorded Type of Way, it wasn't even supposed to be the "big" hit. It was just a vibe. But that’s the thing about music that resonates—it’s usually the stuff that feels effortless. The track, produced by Kartel Beats, features a pulsing, slightly melancholic synth line that allowed Quan to stretch his vocals. He wasn’t "singing" in the traditional sense, but he wasn't just rapping either. He was doing that melodic, gravelly warble that would eventually pave the way for an entire generation of "mumble rappers," though that term does a huge disservice to the technical skill Quan actually possessed.
Why Type of Way Became a Cultural Phenomenon
You have to remember what 2013 felt like. The "Bling Era" was dead. The "Blog Era" was peaking. Atlanta was becoming the undisputed capital of hip-hop, taking the crown from New York and holding it with a death grip.
The success of Type of Way wasn't just about the radio play. It was about the versatility. The song was adopted by the Michigan State University football team as their unofficial anthem. Seeing a bunch of college athletes in the locker room turning up to a gritty Atlanta trap song was the ultimate proof of concept. It crossed boundaries. It bridged the gap between the streets and the mainstream without Quan having to change a single lyric or soften his image.
The Anatomy of the Hook
Why did it stick? It’s the repetition. It’s the relatability.
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"I made 'em feel some type of way."
It is a brilliantly vague statement. It can mean you’re jealous. It can mean you’re proud. It can mean you’re angry. By tapping into a phrase that everyone could project their own emotions onto, Quan ensured the song’s longevity. It peaked at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100, which, for an independent artist at the time, was an absolute massive win.
The Rich Gang Era and the Thug Relationship
You can't talk about the legacy of this song without talking about what came next. The success of this single caught the ear of Birdman. Soon, Quan was paired with a young, eccentric Young Thug to form Rich Gang.
This era was chaotic and brilliant.
The chemistry between Thug and Quan on tracks like "Lifestyle" was undeniable, but it all started because Quan proved he could hold a melody on his own with his breakout hit. There was a brief moment where it felt like they were the new Outkast—one grounded and soulful, the other wild and experimental. While their professional relationship eventually soured due to internal label politics and personal friction, the foundation of that era was built on the momentum of 2013.
The Technical Influence on Modern Rap
If you listen to the biggest artists today—people like Lil Baby, Gunna, or Rod Wave—you can hear the DNA of Rich Homie Quan. He was one of the first to really master the art of the "pain song" that you could still dance to.
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Before him, "street rap" was often rigid. It was about being the toughest person in the room. Quan allowed himself to sound hurt. He allowed his voice to crack. He used ad-libs not just as filler, but as emotional punctuation. This wasn't just about the lyrics; it was about the feeling.
The industry refers to this as "melodic trap," but Quan just called it his life.
Misconceptions About the One-Hit Wonder Label
A lot of casual fans mistakenly categorize Rich Homie Quan as a one-hit wonder because they only know Type of Way. That’s factually incorrect and honestly kind of insulting to his catalog.
"Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)" was actually a bigger commercial success, reaching double platinum status and peaking higher on the charts. He had a string of hits including "Ride Out" for the Furious 7 soundtrack and "Walk Thru" with Problem. The reason people think he was a one-hit wonder is that "Type of Way" was so culturally dominant that it overshadowed everything else. It became the brand.
The Tragic Loss and the 2024 Context
The music world was rocked in late 2024 with the news of Quan’s passing at the age of 34. It felt sudden. It felt wrong.
In the wake of his death, the streaming numbers for his debut hit skyrocketed. People weren't just listening for nostalgia; they were realizing how much of the current sound they take for granted was actually pioneered by him. He was a bridge between the T.I./Jeezy era and the new wave of melodic superstars.
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Analyzing the Production: Why it Still Sounds Fresh
Most trap beats from 2013 sound dated now. They use thin 808s and stock Nexus presets that scream "early Obama era."
Somehow, the production on this track aged better than its peers. The bass isn't overblown. The hats are crisp but not distracting. It leaves plenty of "air" for the vocals. When you listen to it on a modern sound system, it still thumps. It doesn't feel like a relic; it feels like a blueprint.
Notable Milestones:
- Certified Gold by the RIAA within months of release.
- Named one of the best songs of 2013 by Rolling Stone and Complex.
- Featured in the Grand Theft Auto V soundtrack (Next-gen version), cementing its place in pop culture history.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Lyrics
People think it’s a "flex" song. On the surface, sure, he’s talking about money and cars. But if you actually listen to the verses, there's a lot of paranoia. He talks about people looking at him differently now that he has money. He talks about the pressure of providing.
"I dropped a couple bands on my jewelry, fact. / I'm a grown man, 23, fact."
He was young, navigating sudden fame, and dealing with the "type of way" people act when you're the one who made it out. It’s a song about social friction as much as it is about success.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Artists
If you're a student of hip-hop or an aspiring creator, there are actual lessons to be learned from the trajectory of this song and Quan's career.
- Study the "Vibe" Over the "Verse": Quan didn't need the most complex metaphors. He focused on a feeling. If you're creating content, identify the one emotion you want your audience to feel and build everything around that.
- Embrace Your Natural Voice: Quan didn't try to sound like a "traditional" singer. His imperfections were his greatest strength. In a world of AI and perfection, the "cracks" in your work are what make people connect with you.
- Consistency vs. Impact: While Quan had many songs, he is remembered for the ones that changed the language. Quality and cultural resonance always outlast quantity.
- Revisit the 2013-2015 Atlanta Catalog: To understand where rap is going in 2026, you have to look at the transition period where Quan, Thug, and Future were reinventing the wheel. Listen to the I Promise I Will Never Report To None mixtape to see the raw version of the "Type of Way" energy.
The legacy of Rich Homie Quan isn't just a single song or a catchy phrase. It's the fact that he made it okay for a kid from the streets of Atlanta to be melodic, to be emotional, and to be unapologetically himself. He made the whole world feel some type of way, and very few artists can ever claim that.