Yahoo Movies Rico Wade, legendary Atlanta producer who worked with OutKast and co-wrote TLC's 'Waterfalls,' dies at 52
As a member of Organized Noize, Wade was instrumental in helping shape the sound of Southern hip-hop in the 1990s.
Rico Wade, who co-wrote and produced TLC’s 1995 smash “Waterfalls” as a member of Atlanta’s legendary production team Organized Noize and founded the Dungeon Family collective, has died. He was 52.
"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 Entertainment Weekly. “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.”
In a joint statement, the Dungeon Family — the Atlanta-based music collective whose alums include OutKast, Goodie Mob, Killer Mike, Janelle Monáe, Future, and more — and Wade’s Organized Noize partners, Ray Murray and Sleepy Brown, said, "We are devastated by the news of the passing of our dear brother Rico Wade.”
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Rico WadeThey continued, “The world has lost one of the most innovative architects in music, and we have lost an invaluable friend. Rico was the cornerstone of Organized Noize and the Dungeon Family, and we will forever treasure his memory and the moments we shared, creating music as a united team. Our hearts weigh heavy with sorrow, and we kindly request privacy and empathy during this challenging period. Rico's presence will always have a special spot in our hearts, and in the music we presented to the world.”
A cause of death was not provided.
As a member of Organized Noize, Wade was instrumental in helping shape the sound of Southern hip-hop in the 1990s. The team co-wrote and produced hits like TLC’s “Waterfalls,” En Vogue’s “Don’t Let Go (Love),” and Ludacris’ “Saturday (Oooh! Ooooh!)," but they were best known for working with the members of the Dungeon Family, which got its name from Wade’s basement studio, which he called “the Dungeon.”
The trio produced the entirety of OutKast’s influential debut record, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. They also produced songs on the hip-hop duo’s 1996 album, ATLiens; 1998’s Aquemini; and 2000’s Stankonia, including the track "So Fresh, So Clean." They later went on to produce several of Big Boi’s solo albums, including 2010’s Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty and 2012’s Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors.
Organized Noize also produced all of hip-hop quartet Goodie Mob’s 1995 debut album, Soul Food, as well as their single “They Don’t Dance No Mo,” from their 1998 album, Still Standing.
In 2016, Organized Noize was the subject of a Netflix documentary directed by Quincy Jones III titled The Art of Organized Noize. The following year, they released a seven-track eponymous EP.
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Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.
