Rick Wade

Detroit, USA

Outlaw Deep

ElectronicLo-fi

Behind the Music

One of the main feelings I tried to convey with my tracks was an overall sense of shock that reflected some degree of what I experienced while reading The Outlaw Ocean. I had no concept of how vast and lawless the oceans truly are —  the rapes, the murders, abductions, forced labor, brutality and corruption was mind blowing and maddening to read about. It’s difficult to say if one single chapter particularly struck me, considering Ian’s reporting as a whole was so captivating and riveting. I utilized different genres and tones to represent the specific emotions each of the stories evoke, thus capturing the revelatory nature of the book.

Rick Wade
About Rick Wade

Michigan-born Rick Wade might not get the headlines of his more celebrated Detroit peers, but few have done as much to contribute to the house canon as he. For nearly three decades, Rick Wade has consistently turned out deeply channeled grooves that need every second of their often-elongated lengths to have the best effect. Peppered only lightly with strings, the odd breathy voice or some other delicate hook culled from the funk and soul sounds around which he grew up, Rick’s style is the perfect embodiment of minimum effort, delivering maximum impact.

A famously rapid and prolific producer who turns out literally hundreds of excellent tracks on a nonstop basis, Rick is also the force behind the legendary label Harmonie Park, which has released classics from peers like Mike Huckaby and Theo Parrish. 

In DJ terms, Rick is just as assured, laying down vinyl-fueled sets that are tinged with deepness, funk and soul, and keep you dancing in his long form grooves all night long. From Europe to the U.S. and beyond, this true house legend has played every venue and radio show worth its salt. Not one to be pigeon-holed or typecast, Rick's talents extend far beyond the DJ booth. He has recently stepped into the fashion realm by launching his own unique clothing brand "Rick Wade Designs;" with every design, from concept to creation, coming directly from the mind of Rick himself.

Winner of the 2021 Scripps Howard Award for Excellence in Innovation in Journalism

The Journalism behind the Music

All music in this project is based on The Outlaw Ocean, a New York Times Best-Selling book by Ian Urbina that chronicles lawlessness at sea around the world. This reporting touches on a diversity of abuses ranging from illegal and overfishing, arms trafficking at sea, human slavery, gun running, intentional dumping, murder of stowaways, thievery of ships and other topics.

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