Music fans were saddened by the news that Rico Wade, a third of Atlanta rap production group Organized Noize and a key collaborator with Outkast, has passed away at the age of 52. The news of the death was confirmed by Wade’s family, who issued a statement requesting privacy to mourn their loss. Wade’s longtime friend and fellow producer, Killer Mike, also took to Instagram to pay tribute to the musician, while other members of the music industry also offered their condolences.
Organized Noize was founded by Wade in Atlanta in the early 1990s with Sleepy Brown and Ray Murray. Together, the trio worked on a range of hit tracks throughout their career, including “Waterfalls” by TLC, “Don’t Let Go” by En Vogue, and “Saturday (Oooh! Ooooh!)” by Ludacris. They also played a key role in producing Outkast’s debut album, “Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik,” and contributed to the group’s subsequent albums.
In addition to his work with Organized Noize, Wade was a member of the Dungeon Family collective, which included numerous other high-profile artists such as Big Boi, André 3000, and CeeLo Green. The collective issued a statement following Wade’s passing, describing him as “one of the most innovative architects in music,” and stating that they had lost “an invaluable friend.” Wade’s contributions to the music industry will be greatly missed, and fans will no doubt continue to cherish his work for years to come.
Wade’s passing is a reminder of the impact that music can have on people all around the world. His work helped to shape the direction of hip-hop and R&B for decades, and his legacy will live on through his music. As fans mourn the loss of yet another talented musician, they can take comfort in knowing that his work will continue to inspire future generations of artists for years to come
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