ATLANTA — Family, friends and hip-hop celebrities gathered to say goodbye to Atlanta rap icon Rico Wade at a private funeral inside historic Ebenezer Baptist Church on Friday.
The 52-year-old, one of the leaders of the Dungeon Family and member of the group Organized Noize is credited with helping to launch the careers of OutKast, Goodie Mob, T.I. and more. He died on April 14.
Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock delivered the eulogy.
“He told the story of kids like him, little Black boys like him and all of us are better because of that,” said Sen. Warnock.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
“Well, Rico, he was the orchestrator,” rapper T.I. told Channel 2′s Audrey Washington.
“A remarkable family man, pillar of the community and someone who’s willing to give people an opportunity,” said friend Jahar Taylor.
Many successful artists across the country credit Wade with helping kickstart their careers.
“There’s a whole like family tree that he planted the seeds to, and I’m here to make sure that legacy is properly represented,” T.I. explained.
RELATED STORIES:
- Atlanta rap legend, Dungeon Family member Rico Wade dies at 52
- CeeLo Green says he bought Atlanta rap legend Rico Wade’s old house to turn it into a museum
- Killer Mike talks about super producer, Dungeon Family co-founder, Rico Wade and his impact in music
- Rico Wade funeral plans announced, ceremony will be private for friends and family only
Following the service, the Clark Atlanta University band played some of the songs Wade is known for while pallbearers placed a rose gold casket into a horse-drawn carriage.
Producer and ‘Organized Noize’ member Sleepy Brown told Washington that his friend would have loved to hear music playing in the air.
“It’s very sad that he’s gone but his legacy is going to live on forever, through us and through Atlanta,” said Sleepy Brown.
In a statement, Mayor Andre Dickens said, in part,
“Rico left an indelible mark on music and culture around the world and for that, the South will always have something to say.”
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
This browser does not support the video element.