ATLANTA — An amazing dad and legend in Atlanta's vibrant hip-hop community -- that's how family and friends describe Rico Wade, a key figure in the city's music scene who died earlier this year.
Rico Wade's family shared the news of his death in April. Thursday, a group gathered as a replica of a monument for the talented producer was unveiled in East Point. His sons, Rico Wade II and Ryder Wade, who were there, said they are glad the community is commemorating their father in this manner.
"The city of East Point is really showing their love for him," said Rico Wade II.
The City of East Point partnered with others to honor the late producer with a tribute event. The ceremony included remarks from East Point Mayor Deanna Holiday Ingraham, music performances and more. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens was also in attendance.
The event was held in what's now an open lot near the intersection of Headland and Delowe Drive. Rico Wade once lived in the area at the Delowe Garden Apartments. City officials said in a news advisory he began his impactful journey in Atlanta's music scene there.
The replica of the monument created in his honor was unveiled in this same place. It will be installed in February 2025.
His influence resonates through the beats and lyrics of some of Atlanta's biggest hip-hop icons. As a member of the pioneering production group "Organized Noize," alongside Ray Murray and Sleepy Brown, Rico Wade played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of Southern hip-hop in the early '90s. One of his most notable contributions was his work with Outkast and Goodie Mob, helping to craft their debut albums and setting them on the path to superstardom.
But his influence extended far beyond working with groups. Rico Wade was a founding member of the Dungeon Family, a musical collective that includes luminaries like Andre 3000, Killer Mike, Big Boi, CeeLo Green, and even his own cousin, Future.
The city's media advisory shared that Rico Wade created the Dungeon in his mother's basement.
Dee Dee Murray has been there from the start. She caught up with 11Alive at Thursday's event, sharing memories from her time as the first manager of Organized Noize.
"I was here from the beginning when Rico, Pat, and Ray first started out with Outkast back in 1993," Murray said, who was the voice of "Peaches" on the first Outkast album.
Not only was she a colleague, but she was also a friend.
"I advised him, he listened to me, he valued me," she said. "He valued my opinion, and that I really appreciate about Rico because he let me help him create this vision and work alongside him to nurture his artists."
Murray said it's significant people are coming together to celebrate him this way in the place where it all started.
"Headland and Delowe is very significant because Outkast told y'all a couple of years ago on Headland and Delowe, you know, it all went down," she said, referencing lyrics from the "Elevators" song by the duo. "This is our home. This is East Point."
His sons shared fond memories of the talented producer being a great father.
"He was definitely there for me in every way, shape and form," Rico Wade II said. "As much as he was the idol that he is, the celebrity with music, he was always there for me. He was at every basketball game. He was there for all of my tournaments, too."
His brother, Ryder Wade, stood beside him in agreement, nodding his head with satisfaction.
"The best dad. The best dad," Ryder Wade said with a smile on his face. "The G.O.A.T."
He recalled times he said his dad would be the loudest person cheering at basketball games.
"That just showed how supportive that he is, just being there for us. He didn't miss a beat. Always there for us," he added.
Artist Malia Dishon -- who is Murray's daughter -- grew up around the Dungeon Family and affectionally called him "Uncle Rico." Although they weren't related by blood, that never mattered. She said Rico Wade treated her like family.
'I was in the Dungeon as a 2-year-old child," she said. "Seeing them make their dreams come true was very inspiring to me as a child. He was like the best uncle in the world."
She's now taking his lessons with her everywhere she goes.
11Alive's Nicholas DiVaccaro contributed to this report
