Procession held for Atlanta hip-hop pioneer Rico Wade ahead of funeral

ATLANTA — Funeral arrangements have been announced for Atlanta hip-hop pioneer and legend Rico Wade. 

A private service for family and friends will be held on Friday, Apr. 26.

As attendees arrive, 68 members of Clark Atlanta's band will perform hits by Organized Noize outside the church in honor of Wade. 

Wade passed away on April 13 at the age of 52. As a member of the pioneering production group Organized Noize and a founding member of the Dungeon Family, Wade played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of Southern hip-hop in the early '90s. He worked on multiple albums that helped launch the careers of many artists, such as Outkast, Goodie Mob, Killer Mike, Janelle Monáe and even his own younger cousin, Future. 

Wade's cause of death has not been released yet.

While the service is private, there will be a procession to the gravesite, with flowers placed at multiple stops along the route. The full processional route is below. 

• Start at MLK @ Mercedes Benz
• Left on Harlan Road SW - Flowers to be laid at 409 Harlon Road SW
• Right on Peyton Road SW
• Right on Hayne
• Left on Lynhurst Drive SW
• Left Cascade Road
• Right on Adams Drive - Flowers to be laid at 1590 Adams Drive SW
• Left on Childress Drive SW
• Left on Campbellton Road
• Right on Delowe Drive
• Right on Headland Drive - Flowers to be laid at the corner of Delowe and Headliand

You can watch the funeral procession below