Dungeon Family
The Dungeon Family were a musical collective based in Atlanta that specialized in Southern hip hop with heavy funk and soul influences.[1] Members of this collective recorded music, and had their career emerge, from Rico Wade's basement recording studio in East Point, Georgia, which was known as the "Dungeon."[2][3]
The Dungeon Family | |
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Origin | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
Genres | Hip hop, Southern hip hop, alternative hip hop, R&B |
Years active | 1991–2024 |
Labels | Arista |
Past members | Outkast André 3000 Big Boi TLC Future Big Rube Goodie Mob (including CeeLo Green) Cool Breeze Janelle Monae Peter Ivanek Konkrete Organized Noize (including Sleepy Brown) Joi Killer Mike Witchdoctor Backbone Bubba Sparxxx |
History
The group derives its name from "The Dungeon", the name given to record producer Rico Wade's studio, located in the basement of his mother's house, where many of the early members of the collective did their first recordings. Rico Wade, Ray Murray, and Sleepy Brown constitute the production/songwriting team Organized Noize, who have produced hits for the main popular Dungeon Family groups Outkast, TLC, and Goodie Mob. Numerous aspiring musicians and artists would in fact emerge from the "Dungeon," with Wade even considered to be an architect of Atlanta hip hop.[2][4]
The collective released their only album together, titled Even in Darkness, under Arista Records on November 26, 2001.
On October 7, 2011, it was announced that Arista, along with Jive and J Records, would be shut down. All artists on those labels, including The Dungeon Family, were moved to RCA Records.[5][6] Because of this, the collective decided to part ways with RCA's parent, Sony Music.
On April 12, 2024, Dungeon Family leader Rico Wade died.[7][8][9][10][11]
In visual media
On March 16, 2016, the documentary The Art of Organized Noize premiered on Netflix.
Members
1st generation
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2nd generation
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Discography
Studio albums
- Even in Darkness (2001)[13]
Singles
- "Trans DF Express"
- "6 Minutes (Dungeon Family It's On)"
References
- Lee, Christina (2016-09-11). "Dungeon Family and Outkast Reunite for Family Affair to Remember". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
- Abrams, Jonathan (April 14, 2024). "Rico Wade, an Architect of Atlanta Hip-Hop, Dies at 52". New York Times. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- Jordan, Mike (September 14, 2022). "Headland Drive: The start of something good". Atlanta. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- "Atlanta rap legend, Dungeon Family member Rico Wade dies at 52". WSB-TV. April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- Szalai, Georg (8 August 2011). "Peter Edge Named CEO of Sony's RCA Music Group". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
- Halperin, Shirley (12 July 2011). "L.A. Reid's First Week at Epic Has Some Staffers Feeling 'Energized'". Billboard. Archived from the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
- "Killer Mike (@killermike) on Instagram". Instagram. Archived from the original on 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
- Eustice, Kyle (2024-04-13). "Rico Wade—Organized Noize Co-Founder Who Produced Outkast, TLC & Goodie Mob—Has Died". AllHipHop. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
- "Rico Wade, Founder Of Organized Noize, Dungeon Family Has Reportedly Passed At 52". Atlanta Daily World. 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2024-04-13.
- "Atlanta rap legend, Dungeon Family member Rico Wade dies at 52". WSB-TV. April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- Weingarten, Christopher R. (April 15, 2024). "Rico Wade and Organized Noize's 10 Essential Songs". New York Times.
- "The Legendary Dungeon Family". www.thesubversal.com. Archived from the original on 2017-04-27.
- "Dungeon Family to Celebrate 15 Years of "Even in Darkness" with Special Edition Vinyl". 8 August 2016.