Music producer, Organized Noize / Dungeon Family co-founder, and visionary Rico Wade has sadly passed away. The cause of death have not been reported. Wade was 52 years of age.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Wade along with Ray Murray, Sleepy Brown formed Organized Noize, the seminal production team whose extensive list of credentials included Outkast, Goodie Mob, Cool Breeze, Future, TLC, En Vogue, Ludacris, Curtis Mayfield, Xscape, Kurupt, UGK, and the list continues. Organized Noize helped to take the sound of Atlanta and Southern Hip-Hop and spread it worldwide. Their musical influence can still be heard currently across the modern landscape of Hip-Hop and R&B. Aside from being a production mastermind, he was also instrumental in the strategic placement of artists within the DF collective.
The Dungeon Family crew included Organized Noize, Outkast, Goodie Mob, Killer Mike, Cool Breeze, Backbone, Witchdoctor, Big Rube, Future, and more.
Rico Wade’s legacy will forever live on through music, the city of Atlanta, and the South as a whole.
The family of Rico Wade left an official statement saying:
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden and unexpected passing of our son, father, husband, and brother Rico Wade. Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a talented individual who touched the lives of so many. We ask that you respect the legacy of our loved one and our privacy at this time.”
Condolences came pouring in on social media after the news of Rico Wades passing.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rico Wade. It was our first time working with other producers and Rico made us feel at ease. He was easy to work with, kind and had a good sense of humor. pic.twitter.com/rMLBs55kKb
— En Vogue (@EnVogueMusic) April 14, 2024
#RestInBeats #RicoWade pic.twitter.com/DZezN3mZhs
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) April 14, 2024
Rico Wade, was a virtuoso of sound and a true visionary that helped create and curate new sounds and impacted the culture in a way that can never be duplicated. Condolences go out to the family and loved ones of this legend https://t.co/ZYXqFvT8My pic.twitter.com/XyUrAZW9HA
— Rock The Bells (@RockTheBells) April 13, 2024
RIP to the Legendary Rico Wade this one really hurt 🙏🏿
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) April 13, 2024
We join Atlanta in mourning the loss of Rico Wade, a pioneer of Atlanta culture and a passionate Hawks fan. pic.twitter.com/7tcVGkGGdP
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 13, 2024
Mayor @AndreForAtlanta released the following statement on the passing of Rico Wade.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Rico Wade. Rico was a musical genius and one third of the Grammy Award-winning music production team Organized Noize. pic.twitter.com/8kgRUkZJC2
— City of Atlanta, GA (@CityofAtlanta) April 13, 2024
Rest In Beats to the Legendary #RicoWade 🕊️
He and #OrganizedNoize played SUCH a prominent role in shaping the sound of Southern hip-hop, notably with #OutKast and the entire #DungeonFamily collective.
Definitely can’t deny the TLC factor also.We SALUTE you fam.🙏🏾#ATLANTA pic.twitter.com/pYzoFZO0cE
— DjLORD (@DjLORDofficial) April 13, 2024