Rico Wade of Organized Noize Has Passed Away

Hip-Hop has unfortunately lost another iconic figure this week. Rico Wade, one third of the legendary Atlanta production trio Organized Noize, and founding member of the Dungeon Family has passed away at the age of 52.

Organized Noize were monumental for the development of Southern Hip-Hop, shaping its sound through their work with Outkast, Goodie Mob, and the Dungeon Family collective. Dungeon Family was formed of pioneering emcees and producers, including the members of the aforementioned Outkast and Goodie Mob, as well as Janelle Monáe, Killer Mike, Future (Who is Rico Wade’s cousin) and many more.

The production style of Organized Noize differentiated from the norm with its rare use of sampling, instead relying on playing instruments. Other than countless Southern Hip-Hop classics, the trio has also produced R’n’B songs, including TLC’s 1995 smash hit, “Waterfalls“. Rico Wade was undoubtedly not only a person who did a lot for the Hip-Hop culture, he was a person who had a big part in defining it.

May he rest in peace.

Rare 1995 footage of Rico Wade and Outkast in The Dungeon, on “Yo! MTV Raps.”