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Rico Wade, a pioneer in Southern Hip-Hop, revered producer and founding member of the Dungeon Family, has died.
On Saturday, April 13, Killer Mike announced Wade's passing in an emotional post to his Instagram timeline. He included a black-and-white photo of Wade in the studio along with a shot of him and OutKast's Big Boi, who Wade worked with extensively during his time as one-third of the legendary production group Organized Noize. He was only 52.
"I don't have the words to express my deep and profound sense of loss," Mike wrote. "I am Praying for your wife and Children. I am praying for the Wade family. I am praying for us all."
"This is a part of the journey," he continued. "You told me 'It ain't been hard throughout the journey, it's been a Journey' . The journey ain't gonna be the Same Journey without U. Like U say tho Umma "Stay Down on it"......we all are."
Organized Noize comprised of Wade, Ray Murray and Sleepy Brown. They began their musical journey in Atlanta where they produced hits for a wide variety of artists over the course two decades from TLC's "Waterfalls" to Ludacris' "Saturday (Oooh! Oooh!)." They became well-known for their work on OutKast's debut album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, Goodie Mob's Soul Food LP and plenty more hits for the Dungeon Family and other southern artists.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden and unexpected passing of our son, father, husband and brother Rico Wade,” his family said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “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.”
Rico Wade was survived by his his wife and children. He was also the older cousin of rapper Future. Soon after Killer Mike broke the news, other legendary artists took to social media to pay homage to Wade. See their tributes below. Rest in peace Rico Wade.