Legendary Atlanta hip-hop producer Rico Wade laid to rest

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – On Friday legendary Atlanta hip-hop producer Rico Wade was laid to rest. The music icon died at age 52 earlier this month.

A private service was held at Ebenezer Baptist Church, led by Rev. Raphael Warnock.

“In a real sense his music has been a part of the soundtrack of our lives. And while I’m the pastor of this church and a Senator from Georgia, we are roughly the same age. He’s a couple years younger than me, so to see someone like him come from where he came from, telling the stories of kids like him, I think is so important,” Rev. Warnock said.

Wade was a trailblazing and innovative musical talent known for discovering hip-hop duo OutKast and helping launch the careers of artists like TLC and Goodie Mob. He was also a founding member of The Dungeon Family, an Atlanta-based music collective made up of famous hip hop, funk, and soul artists.

“I grew up with him all through the music and all that, so I’m going to miss him a whole lot. He’s been a very big influence on hip hop in Atlanta,” Gregory Gibbs said.

“Just to be here on the day he marks his ending on the earth, just you know, his blessings will still outpour on others,” Mekisha Smith said.

After the service, Wade’s casket was loaded into a horse-drawn carriage and driven through his hometown streets. Atlanta rappers Killer Miker, 2 Chainz, and T.I. were all in attendance.

“It takes a great spirit, a person with a generous heart to summon this crowd to one place at one time,” Rev. Warnock said.

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