Rich Homie's Resurgence is One for the Books.

Technology and research show that the music you grew up on affects how you interact with it now. As a twenty-two-yeage and entering the workforce, the music I heard then affected how I saw the world and as a teacher became the tools I used to teach my students. One of my favorite artists to use was without a doubt the hottest rapper out of the South at the time, Rich Homie Quan.

Propelled to stardom with the release of his acclaimed project, Still Goin In and his hit single, “Type of Way”, Rich Homie’s voice and sound became the blueprint for a new generation of emcees to follow. In the years since Quan’s had his share of personal and professional challenges as he clawed his way back from legal and personal issues. Back with his newest project, Family and Mula, and in control of his business with his own label, Rich Homie Entertainment, Quan’s star is positioned in the center where it belongs.

Atlanta’s rap scene dominance is a given today, and rightfully a lot of it stems from the work of Atlanta pioneers like OutKast, Goodie Mob, and later acts like T.I., Jeezy, Gucci Mane, and Ludacris. But the burgeoning swag movement, propelled by artists like J Money, Young Dro, and Yung LA, embraced the melodic vocals of artists like Future, Skooly, Young Thug, and Rich Homie Quan.

Rich Homie’s movement, aided by the indie titan label, Think It’s a Game, invaded the airwaves and streets, and added to the surging club scene in the city. At that moment, Quan became one of rap’s biggest talents. Fresh off the heels of Type of Way, Quan followed up the next year with Walk Thru, proving he was capable of making hit songs.

From there, Quan went on his run, contributing memorable verses and hooks for artists like YG, Yo Gotti, and his peer, Young Thug. Their collaboration, known as Rich Gang, represented a powerful pairing of two of the city’s biggest talents, and out of that came a number of successful singles including Flava and Lifestyle. That next year Quan dropped his biggest single to date, “Flex, Ooh Ooh”, and at that moment showed the level of success an indie artist could accomplish.

At the height of his career, Quan dealt with professional challenges from his label in the form of a lawsuit that stalled his momentum as well as rumors of a rift with his peer, Young Thug. Rather than feed the rumors, Quan stayed focused and continued hitting the pavement, despite the stonewall he received from producers and emcees in the city.

After settling the TIG lawsuit, Rich Homie Quan set out to make his own way, signing with Motown Records. From there, he dropped projects like Back to the Basics and his first album, Rich in Spirit. Quan’s talent stayed the same, but the politics of music held him back.

In spite of it all though, Quan has stayed true to his vision. This past year, Quan began heating the streets up with a mix of poignant interviews on platforms like Big Facts, Sway, Off the Radar and No Jumper, From the Block freestyles, as well as released a video for all of the singles on his recent album. Quan’s influence on rap is hard to deny, but what’s even harder to deny is the fact that he’s survived and overcome everything that’s set out to destroy him.