Organized Noize producer Rico Wade has died at the age of 52.
Organized Noize producer Rico Wade dies at 52
Rico Wade, the legendary Atlanta producer who was a producer for Organized Noize and a founding member of Dungeon Family, has died. He is 52 years old. The cause of death has not been released.
Grammy Award-winning rapper Killer Mike announced the sad news on his Instagram page on Saturday (April 13). He wrote in part:
“I have no words to express my deep sense of loss. I pray for your wife and children. I pray for the Wade family. I pray for all of us. I am deeply grateful to you for accepting Dungeon for your accepting family, guidance, friendship And brotherhood. I don’t know what I would do without you guys.”
Killer Mike continued, “It’s part of the journey. You told me ‘the whole journey isn’t hard, it’s a journey.'” The journey wouldn’t be the same journey without you. Like you said Uma “hang in there”…we all do.
Love and respect, Michael. “
Learn More: The 45 Most Important Hip-Hop Producers Since 2000
Who is organized noise producer Rico Wade?
As one-third of the production crew Organized Noize, Rico Wade was instrumental in shaping Southern hip-hop alongside Ray Murray and Sleepy Brown, and worked with groups developing The Dungeon Family, including OutKast, Goodie Mob, Cool Breeze, and more . In addition, the trio has worked on R&B hits such as TLC (“Waterfalls”) and Mista (“Blackberry Molasses”).
Rico, who is the cousin of rapper Future, told his story about his family’s history of organizing noise and the dungeon in the 2016 documentary “The Art of Organizing Noise.”
In a 2017 interview with Albumism, Rico expressed pride in Dungeon Family’s success over the years, including multiple Grammy Awards, gold and platinum awards.
“Music is life,” Rico said. “It’s a blessing that we have these monuments. We get something that’s not a waste of time. It’s really time well spent.”
After hearing the sad news of Rico Wade’s passing, several rappers, including Juicy J and Phonte, posted their condolences on social media.
Read More: Hip-Hop’s Most Influential Producers
Read Killer Mike’s tribute to Rico Wade and more below.
