Dequantes Lamar first considered a career in professional baseball, but in 2008, the Atlanta native issued the single "Stay Down" featuring the Stack Money Boyz. Things came to a halt when he landed in jail for a year on burglary charges, but upon his release in 2011, Quan began to make up for lost time. Hooking up with the Atlanta crew Loyalty Ova Royalties and becoming quick friends with member CEO Teezy came next, but Teezy's untimely death later in the year put a stop to Quan's planned mixtape debut. He would re-emerge a year later on the Think It's a Game label and release the mixtapes I Go in on Every Song plus Still Goin In. The year 2013 began with a tour opening for Trinidad James, along with a guest appearance on Gucci Mane's Trap House 3 album. In the summer, Quan issued the infectious club track "Type of Way," which cracked the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He also became a member of Rich Gang, and co-headlined the 2014 mixtape Tha Tour, Part 1 with Birdman and Young Thug. The tape received widespread acclaim, and the non-album single "Lifestyle" reached number 16 on the Hot 100. Quan released the track "Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh)" in 2015, and it became his biggest solo hit, reaching number 26.
Rich Homie Quan continued releasing mixtapes, and in 2016 he landed a record deal with Motown. March 2017 saw the release of the single "Replay," which appeared on the Back to the Basics mixtape. Led by the singles "Change" and "34," his debut album, Rich as in Spirit, arrived in March 2018, peaking at number 32 on the Billboard 200. He then put out the EP The Gif, and Coma followed in 2019. Quan resumed releasing solo material in 2021, with the singles "Daily Bread" and "To Be Worried." His EP Family & Mula appeared in 2022. ~ David Jeffries & Paul Simpson, Rovi
Where Were You
Rich Homie Quan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where were you when
I was at my last
Where were you when
I ain't had no where to go
Where were you when
I was locked up no letters wrote
And I don't know what I'm saying
Understand I'm a man
Nowhere to be found
So when I make it up to the top
The only thing down is the ground
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Where were you
Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Where were you Where were you when I was down
Where were you when I was broke
You were nowhere to be found
When I needed you the most
Where were you when I needed to talk
Someone who can be trusted
Where were you when I was down
Sick and disgusted
Where were you when I was small
Got the bands when I was grown
They all laughed in my face
Cause you see I got this song
I can kill a nigga on my own
Got young girls don't trust them
And I heard it bust pipes
But I ain't applying no pressure
I'm a kill these niggas so fast
I'm a deal these niggas that Clad
And I'm a laugh tell the
Baboon kiss my ass
And I'm a pass it
No adlib
I got 4-4
And I call him Pete Maverick
And he a Maverick and he blasting
He'll shoot a nigga balling Balling
Shooting I'm Spalding
Everybody know me nigga
I like to rock a box
Like a Goatee nigga
Yeah I'm shining
Like some gold teeth nigga
Young [?] Deep nigga
Big weight I move that
Just tell me where were you
Where were you
When I was on my last dollar
I couldn't even
Get no holler
When I was stressing back then
When a lame nigga killed my partner
When I was out on my ass
I was working at [?]
Niggas ain't want no feature
From me they didn't even ask me
I got my views up
They see me on that Youtube
Now they saying I'm lame
Because we ain't speaking like we use to
They want to hang with the kid
Cause big shit popping
Nigga use to open up for me
When I had lets go shopping
No need to say no names
Cause I ain't take it to the heart
The only niggas fucking with me now
My niggas from the start
Shoutout to loco I love you
He put his faith in me
We going be straight soon
His angel watching over me (Ya Dig)
The lyrics to Rich Homie Quan's song "Where Were You" describe the rapper's personal experiences of feeling alone and unsupported in his journey to success. The first verse details the struggles he faced when he was at his lowest points, with no money, no home, and no support from anyone. He also mentions being locked up without anyone writing him letters, further emphasizing the lack of support from those around him. The chorus repeatedly asks the question "Where were you?", implying that he felt let down by those who were not there for him when he needed it the most.
In the second verse, Rich Homie Quan discusses the people who turned their backs on him when he was struggling and how they are now trying to come back into his life now that he has achieved some success. He notes that some of these people used to open up for him when he was still relatively unknown, but didn't want to feature him on their tracks when he needed it. The rapper also reflects on the loss of a friend who was killed by a "lame nigga" and acknowledges his gratitude towards those who have stuck by him since the beginning.
The song deals with themes of abandonment, friendship, and perseverance in the face of adversity. It also touches upon the idea of how success can change people's perceptions of you and the way others treat you.
Line by Line Meaning
I was down bad
I was in a difficult and desperate situation
Where were you when
At what point in time have you been available to me?
I was at my last
I had run out of resources
I ain't had no where to go
I was homeless
I was locked up no letters wrote
While in prison, you did not write me any letters.
And I don't know what I'm saying
I'm not sure what I'm saying or if it makes sense.
And no baby I ain't playing
I'm not joking or pretending.
Understand I'm a man
I'm a grown adult male.
Nowhere to be found
You were not present and could not be located.
So when I make it up to the top
When I achieve success
The only thing down is the ground
The only direction I have left to go is down.
Where were you when I was down
When I was in a state of decline or sadness, where were you?
Where were you when I was broke
When I was experiencing financial difficulties, where were you?
You were nowhere to be found
You were not present and could not be located.
When I needed you the most
During the time when I needed you the most.
Where were you when I needed to talk
When I needed someone to talk to, where were you?
Someone who can be trusted
Someone who is reliable, and can be confided in.
Sick and disgusted
Feeling upset, overwhelmed, and frustrated.
Got the bands when I was grown
I acquired wealth when I was older/mature.
They all laughed in my face
People mocked me and didn't take me seriously.
Cause you see I got this song
Because I have this hit song.
I can kill a nigga on my own
I can achieve success without anyone's help.
Got young girls don't trust them
I have younger women who are interested in me, but I don't trust them.
And I heard it bust pipes
I heard that there were problems or conflicts.
But I ain't applying no pressure
I'm not contributing to the conflict or aggravating the situation.
I'm a kill these niggas so fast
I'll surpass and destroy my competition quickly and easily.
I'm a deal these niggas that Clad
I'll give my competitors a heavy blow, figuratively comparing myself to a powerful dealer.
And I'm a laugh tell the
I'm going to laugh and have the last word.
Baboon kiss my ass
An expression of disrespect to the people who laughed at him earlier.
And I'm a pass it
I'll move on or continue.
No adlib
Without any additional remarks or input.
I got 4-4
I have a .44 caliber gun.
And I call him Pete Maverick
I named my gun, Pete Maverick.
And he a Maverick and he blasting
My gun, Pete Maverick, is powerful and destructive.
He'll shoot a nigga balling Balling
He can take down anybody, even successful people.
Shooting I'm Spalding
Using a basketball (Spalding) as a metaphor, I'm unstoppable.
Everybody know me nigga
Everyone is aware of me and my reputation.
I like to rock a box
I like to wear a wristwatch.
Like a Goatee nigga
Like someone with a goatee beard.
Yeah I'm shining
I'm glowing or standing out in a positive way.
Like some gold teeth nigga
Like someone with gold teeth in their mouth.
Young [?] Deep nigga
I am a young man with a deep voice.
Big weight I move that
I have a lot of influence and power.
No need to say no names
I don't have to mention any specific names.
Cause I ain't take it to the heart
Because I didn't take it personally.
The only niggas fucking with me now
The only people supporting me currently.
My niggas from the start
My original friends that I have had throughout this journey.
Shoutout to loco I love you
A reference and appreciation to his friend Loco.
He put his faith in me
He trusted and believed in me.
We going be straight soon
We're going to be okay and prosperous soon.
His angel watching over me (Ya Dig)
His deceased friend is watching over him and his life.
Contributed by Landon G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
yana_ gaming
Great video! Rich Homie really is balling. He came out of no where and pretty much blew up over night. I also completely agree with his message in this song. People always want to come around when you make it but are never there when your going through the struggle. Great job on this one!
Terrell Robertson
2001
Dope Dune2
Still bumping in 2020🔥🔥
Rip 2013-2016 era of music
Carls Wood
Quan is Floridas hardest artist out there! He aint like all them artists out here these days who just be goin HAM ON THE GRAM by usin dat IGROCKET dawwwt cawwwm jawwwn to get they followerz up to go HAM like them Island Boys dun did
Reginald Brown
Naw prolly a gumpies 🤡
candlewax
@4Lspade 🗡️ it’s a bot bro. Just report it it’ll go eventually
4Lspade 🗡️
Man is not from Florida wtf
TeamKultureRacing
He’s from Georgia
jaida medina
love this song real message when u make it everybody is there for u then when struggle come they all run away
Jennifer Paredes
love this song he speaking the truth