Senator Raphael Warnock, Mayor Andre Dickens of Atlanta, former Mayor Kasim Reed, family, friends, and music industry luminaries gathered to honor and cherish the memory of legendary producer Rico Wade, who passed away on April 13, 2024, at the age of 52 and was laid to rest on April 26, 2024.

At the proceedings, Mayor Andrew Dickens of Atlanta presented the prestigious Phoenix Award, expressing the city’s gratitude for Rico’s indelible impact on the Atlanta music scene. “Rico will be celebrated as a visionary, mentor, and creative force, forever intertwined with Atlanta’s musical legacy," he remarked. Mayor Dickens also announced the establishment of the Rico Wade Music Executive Training Program in his honor, as Atlanta City Councilmember Marci Overstreet announced Rico Wade Day.

Following the tribute, MISTA, a group mentored by Rico and Organized Noize, delivered a soul-stirring rendition of “Blackberry Molasses,” produced by the trio and written by Rico’s close friend Marqueze Etheridge. Former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed hailed Rico as the catalyst for the city’s creative explosion across film, television, and music, urging continued reverence for Organized Noize and Rico Wade.