Big Boi has penned an emotional tribute to southern rap pioneer and fellow Dungeon Family member Rico Wade following his death.
One third of the Organized Noize production team, Wade passed away aged 52 on Saturday (April 13), his family confirmed. A cause of death has yet to be revealed.
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Big Boi, who worked with Wade frequently when he was part of OutKast, paid tribute to the producer on Instagram on Monday (April 15).
Alongside a collection of photos and videos from their 30-year friendship, the rapper wrote: “This is a different type of hurt …. Slick Ricky Wade .. I know you’re with us STILL … in a bigger role now… Big Angel Energy… the Highest of Vibrations … Praise Yah.”
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Big Boi also included a video of himself talking about Wade’s contributions to Hip Hop.
In the clip, he says: “Rico Wade is one third of Organized Noize and he’s like the mouthpiece for that collective of producers. He was connected to LaFace Records through Pebbles ’cause he went to school with Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins from TLC. She connected him with Pebbles and through them, Pebbles introduced Rico to LA Reid.
“He was like the gateway to get to LA, as well as the producers who produced Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. They signed OutKast. Organized Noize were responsible for us signing to LaFace Records. So without Rico Wade, Sleepy Brown and Ray Murray, there would [be no OutKast].”
Fellow Dungeon Family alumnus Killer Mike also wrote a lengthy tribute to Rico Wade on Instagram.
He wrote: “I don’t have the words to express my deep and profound sense of loss. I am Praying for your wife and Children. I am praying for the Wade family. I am praying for us all. I deeply appreciate your acceptance into The Dungeon Family, mentorship, Friendship and Brotherhood. Idk where I would be without ya’ll.
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“This is a part of the journey. 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.”
CeeLo Green, who also worked closely with Wade as one quarter of Goodie Mob, also celebrated the late producer’s legacy: “#Atlanta stand up and salute ! This is a celebration of #life for the living #legend the #immortal and #almighty @ricowadedf.
“All you’ve heard is fact, not folklore or a fairytale. he was more then a #myth a #friend or merely a fellow musician … I’m 49 now yet even after transitioning at the early age of 52 this young man was more like my #father.
“His love and loyalty fixed me. i’ve been a rouge As long as I can remember, I had what it took to be a team player but no team. so no one before him gets the credit to be called leader by me! He alone assembled an all star cast of characters, a league of extraordinary gentlemen, the A-Team, the real life X-Men. He was Dr. Xavier of the world renowned @dungeon_family… the mastermind.
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“Yet so humble and understated with all his power. even the name ‘Rico Wade’ rings bells, and sounds so prestigious & regal. I also know his humanity, even when he needed me most I didn’t know because he never asked for anything, and for that I apologize.
“I can only assume of his strength. that type of man has to come from a great woman and so we acknowledge and give praise to Queen Beatrice Wade! for giving us shelter from the storm outside.”
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The Grammy-winner ended by saying: “I speak on behalf of all my brothers and all of your sons we #love you and I cannot thank you enough! I’m forever in your debt. and all of the goodness God has promised us for going forward I shall give you a token of gratitude.. wow my elder is a ancestor now that’s means you really put that work in… amazing! Job well done.”
Fellow Organized Noize member Sleepy Brown also wrote: “I love you lil bro,” and shared a picture of them on stage together.
