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Rico Wade Obituary
Atlanta rapper Killer Mike announced the news in an Instagram post Saturday morning, April 13, 2024.
More details about Wade's death are unknown at this time.
Historian Maurice Hobson, who interviewed Wade extensively for his book, "The Legend of the Black Mecca: Politics and Class in the Making of Modern Atlanta," called him, "Just a brilliant brother from southwest Atlanta."
Organized Noize was the subject of the 2016 documentary "The Art of Organized Noize." The group also appeared in the AJC's documentary "The South Got Something To Say."
Rico Wade is the cousin of Atlanta rapper Future.
Read more about Rico Wade on ajc.com
Memories and Condolences
for Rico Wade
46 Entries
Tony
June 28, 2024
My heartfelt condolences are offered to the family, many, many friends, and fans of Rico Wade was a member of the Atlanta-based production trio Organized Noize, a key player in Atlanta´s hip-hop scene, and one of the architects of the "Dirty South" sound. May the love and many, many special memories you shared with your devoted loved one show how much your life was touched by him. May the God of comfort bless your grieving hearts with strength, loving kindness and peace as the world copes with the loss of Rico Wade. May his music and legacy keep his memory alive forever.
Rob Robinson
May 19, 2024
Rest In Peace Rico Wade! You are most definitely a true ATL Legend!! You will be sorely missed
Angela Gray
May 11, 2024
The groups and music
Robbie S Huff
April 27, 2024
Thank you for your Music contributions to our wonderful Atlanta! You´re great accomplishments will always give the South, something to say
How you can show support
Tanzania Daniel
April 26, 2024
Rico was truly one of a kind. He will truly be missed. Rest easy, icon. ~Paulie
Walt (Augusta)
April 26, 2024
Rico wade and DF helped Atlanta dominate the air waves. Where his influence is still relevant today. A true legend is gone, there is no substitute.
Neal
April 26, 2024
Thank you Mr. Wade for being the foundation (literally) for the Dungeon Family and shaping my childhood and adolescent years. Your contributions to Hip-Hop at large and the South and Atlanta specifically will NEVER be forgotten. You will live forever through the legacy you've left behind. Footsteps to be followed from a pair of shoes that could never be filled. Condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Wade. Thank you all for sharing him and his talents and gifts with us
Pamela VanJackson Piggee
April 26, 2024
May God Continue to Richly Bless the Family and Friends
With Love Much Love
Chaplain Pamela VanJackson Piggee
April 27,2024...
Rob
April 26, 2024
RIP Rico Wade. He made a huge impression on me as young person when I was discovering music. He made it cool to be from Atlanta! I met him briefly once and was mesmerized - here I was in the presence of a music god! He put on for our city so hard. He will be missed and he needs a statue or mural to memorialize his contributions to the city.
Ignatius Reeves
April 26, 2024
My first memory of Rico was when he lived on Delowe Drive in East Point. My father Bob Reeves, owned the landmark detail shop "Bob's Hand Wash", on the now infamous Headland & Delowe! Rico would cut through our parking lot on his way to work @ LeMonte's Beauty Supply in Headland Delowe plaza across the street. Because LeMonte's owner was a frequently customer we had many conversations while he was teenager before the fame. He had an aura, of positivity, polish and persistance even then.
Eric Cody
April 25, 2024
Thank you, Mr. Wade for all the great music and it's positive vibes you gave to our great city of Atlanta, GA and the world. Your musical imput is timesless. Blessed are those that mourn, they shall be comforted (Matthew 5:4)
Reginald Goodwill
April 25, 2024
Rico, well done my Brother! I remember the day we met with Kenny ,Bernard and Jerome, at the Sanders Brothers barbershop, you were grinding then putting it all together!!! My sons still talk about meeting Rico Wade on Headland and Delowe . The realest brother I`ve met since I moved to Eastpoint Ga.Rest well my Brother, you were ahead of your time. Get them together up there too. One of the greatest!!!!!
Johnny Tate
April 21, 2024
REST IN HEAVENLY PEACE RICO THANK YOU KINDLY SIR FOR YOUR ALL YOUR MUSICAL CONTRIBUTIONS THAT YOU BLESSED US WITH IN A FORM OF PERFORMING ARTS AND ARE YOUR PRODUCTION YOU WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED IF I CAN ONLY MIMIC A THIRD OF YOUR ARTISTIC AND PRODUCTION SKILLS AND BUSINESS SAVVY IT WOULD BE AN HONOR REST IN HEAVENLY PEACE
Gerald Hill
April 20, 2024
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Brent Dixon
April 20, 2024
My heart is heavy and I feel compelled to say a few words about Rico Wade, The backbone and a luminary in Atlanta hip-hop and Southern Hip Hop. Rico, along with Organized Noize Productions, was not only a musical icon but a guiding light for all creatives.
My first introduction to him was the very beginning of OutKast´s 1st video Players Ball. Everybody knows the words he said at the very beginning. They really set the tone that Atlanta was here to play and stay. That scene captured the essence of the sound that they produced. I fell in love with the movement instantaneously and I spread the gospel of OutKast & Organized Noize Production throughout South Baton Rouge in 1993 and 94.
No one can tell a story like Rico either. He´s funny without even trying to be and yet profound, effortlessly captivating all who listened. Rico's legacy will forever echo through the music he created, inspiring generations to come. We love and appreciate you Rico. You will be sorely missed.
With heartfelt condolences,
Brent Dixon/ Divided Souls/12Bit Soul
BSM
April 19, 2024
Rico was more than the music. His legacy will not die. He created something that can never be destroyed or erased. I pray that his children, his family, the family and so many of us who love him, will continue to be united in our love for all that he touched
Phillipines 4:
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds inChrist Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable~if anything is excellent or praiseworthy ~think about such things.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me ~put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Infinique aka Geechy Boi
April 19, 2024
Never forget he got mad telling us to speak clearly in the mic lol
Se Ashe
April 19, 2024
Love never dies
D Hill
April 19, 2024
Sending our deepest condolences and prayers to the Wade family and friends Rico will be missed and may his soul rest in eternal peace
David & Judy Sheats
April 19, 2024
My sincere condolences to the Family of Rico Wade. I didn't know him personally but my husband David Sheats the father of "DJ" Camp David. I was told many good things about Rico over the years, so his untimely death came as a shock, not only to us but for all those who loved and knew him. The Family is in out thoughts and . "SIP"
Stacey young
April 19, 2024
Rest Peacefully Rico. You will be missed
Todd Frye
April 19, 2024
Rest Easy Sir. I never had the honor of meeting you. But what you stood for and brought to the culture inspired me greatly. Thank you
Loretta Gay
April 18, 2024
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. Love from
Auntie Loretta Gay
Kimmarie Johnson
April 18, 2024
my deepest condolences to rico´s family. he was very beautiful looking, kind.
L Dog
April 18, 2024
Rico was a visionary and leader who opened the door and left wide open for anyone who was trying to represent the city of Atlanta and take it to higher hights.I had the chance to meet him once at a studio session and my partner in music at the time grew up with. He always showed love. The legacy and foundation in music that created is still heard sonically in music coming put of Atlanta now and will forever continue.
Tamara A Johnson-Barnes
April 17, 2024
Prayers and Condolences to the family Thank You Thank YOU sooo much for putting Atlanta on the map! You are a Legend. Thanks for OutKast and Goodie Mob. When no one else looked at the South you came in kicking down doors ! " The South got something to still say" because of you! Much Love and Respect~ Tamara #Westside #Adamsville #zone1 #404 #Exit9
Cynthia Banb
April 17, 2024
Rico I´m going to miss you so much; your smile, your laughter and your kindness, Love, Aunti Cynthia
Rochelle Davis Stokes
April 17, 2024
My Prayers and Condolences. To the Wade Families and friends. Sorry for ur lost. May God continues too Bless everyone.
LaLa
April 17, 2024
My sincerest condolences to Ms Bea, his son's, DW,DF,ONP, and the family and friends of our dear loved one Mr Rico Wade. He definitely was a friend that became family to me over the years and he will be missed by many. Rest easy Ric
Bj young
April 17, 2024
You will be truly missed. The Dungeon family well Outkast was my first rap ablum I ever purchased. Ever album drop I was there on day one. I really appreciate all the work you have done for the rap industry and it have been pevliege to have grew up and that error. Some people will never know the true art of the Dungeon Family. Rest in peace Rico Wade.
Nicole S. (Texas)
April 16, 2024
Rest peacefully Rico! You were a great friend.
Nicole S
April 16, 2024
Rest peacefully Rico.
James 'Jac' A. Colman
April 16, 2024
Wow, I am truly shocked by Rico's death at such a young age. He accomplished so much and shared the best of Hip Hop with the world. I was fortunate enough to be in the studio with Rico & ONP while clients of mine like 'Bassy' Bob Brockmann and Dexter Simmons mixed for them. Certainly some of my best memories of the 1990's. I hope Rico's family is OK and proud to have shared such a great talent with the world. Rico's legacy is in the music he and ONP created.
MG
April 16, 2024
Rico was one of a kind. He had an ear for talent and was great at putting the right people together to make magic happen. Rico always wanted people to win. He was a great friend and would do anything for the people he cared about. He is an Atlanta legend and will be missed dearly. Sending condolences to the family.
R.I.P buddy
~MG~
Mike Adams
April 16, 2024
Condolences to Wade & Dungeon family.
Eric Grigley
April 16, 2024
Wow...just a couple weeks ago, I was just thinking of Rico..will miss you bro!
John
April 16, 2024
Many times seeing TLC making over the years and studios of greatest.Blessing to you and family
RR
April 16, 2024
A great producer and an integral part of the Atlanta music industry. One of the best. Sincere condolences to the Wade family and friends, so very sorry for your loss. May God give strength and comfort to you all.
Bruce Dudley aka P.E.A.C.E. Musically
April 16, 2024
Rico was the first to acknowledge my music talent gifts when I did my first music showcase in the summer of 1997 at Keith Sweat´s club the Industry . After my performance for him and Organized Noise, LAFace Records, FreeWorld Entertainment and Atlanta producer Dallas Austin , it was Rico Wade who invited me and took me to Buckhead in Atlanta after the showcase and showed me real ATL love and welcomed me as a solo independent artist to the Atlanta hot music scene and ATL music family . I will forever cherish Rico Wade and this awesome memory . I actually just had a conversation in Alpharetta , GA 3 weeks ago with legendary Atlanta music tour director Reginald Wizard Jones about Rico blessing me . May my brother from earth to heaven R.I.P. and moving forward with my music I will continue to keep Rico Wade´s music legacy alive and respected for eternity . May God bless his wife , children and cousin Future
Titus Harris
April 15, 2024
Sending heartfelt condolences to an Atlanta legend; his legacy will forever be remembered.
Elizabeth Bell
April 15, 2024
RIP Rico
Carson Loveless
April 15, 2024
Condolences to his family and friends
Wanda Ehite
April 15, 2024
To The Wade Family, And All Who Were Loved And Loved: "For If We Live, We Live To The Lord, And If We Die, We Die To The Lord. Whether We Live, Therefore, Or Die, We Are The Lord's.--Romans 14:7-8, Sincere Empathy, Sympathy And Love
Gloria Byrd
April 15, 2024
I met Rico once and he left an great impression on me. He was a very thoughtful person and cared about others and was very giving.
Gloria Byrd
Amber
April 15, 2024
ATL won't be the same without The Architect, but we will never forget you. Thanks for everything, rest easy Rico.
Daniel Kane
April 15, 2024
Condolences to the loved ones and the Dungeon Family
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