09/20/2026
In Memory of Rich Lalanne: Mr. Connecticut, Safe House Rich, Mr. Trustworthy
I first met Rich back in 2003 at Grand Hustle Studios on the set of an early T.I. video shoot. He and stylist Fiskani Kair (Fiskani Styles) were a team, hustling boutique brands to get cameo placements in Atlanta music videos. Fiskani, Rich, and I developed a tight bond right from the start. They looked out for me early on, and eventually, they went on to style every single video I produced.
Working under Fiskani, Rich developed a keen eye for style and a natural talent for cultivating industry relationships. I’ll never forget when they scored an LRG clothing connection—Rich immediately asked for our sizes and handed us our own box of gear. He was always looking out for me and my artists, whether selling us pieces or sliding us freebies. Even when I found out later that half the gear was borrowed or gifted to him, I loved and respected his hustle.
We stayed connected over the years as he moved up, including a marketing gig with Tyreal Lewis at one of the biggest street promotion companies in the Southeast. Rich wasn’t built for a standard 9-to-5; he was built to find his own way.
By 2014, I was mentally drained from the music business. I shut down my Buckhead promo and film company, UGOTWAX, and started shifting toward woodworking, photography, and running a new construction firm, Sapp RCS, with my brother. Around that same time, I bought some commercial lawn equipment from a buddy and added lawn care to the mix. Before I knew it, I was balancing corporate IT consulting, construction, woodworking, photography, and lawn care.
I ended up renting a warehouse in Lawrenceville to store our equipment. I even paid my brother to build a cyclorama "infinity" wall inside so I could take product photos. Overnight, that storage space transformed into a full studio.
That’s when the music business pulled me back in.
While at Lowe's during a church renovation project, a young artist named Shaquille recognized me as "Cyber Sapp." He and his groupmate Bam were a rap duo called Forte’ Lingo. After hearing their music, I signed them to Cyberwerks. As we began planning their first video, I posted about the signing on Facebook. Rich DM’d me immediately: "You got a stylist yet?"
Honestly, I wasn't even sure how much money I wanted to invest in the project yet, but I told him "Nope" and asked him to meet me at the studio. He caught an Uber up—asking if I could cover it in advance, which I happily did just to catch up with an old friend. He joked about running a "Safe House," and we laughed as he explained his latest moves.
When video shoot day came, Rich showed up with top-tier gear. He was definitely banging me in the head on the cost of the clothes, but I always respected his hustle. Shortly after, he started hanging around the warehouse more often and eventually became the Resident Shop Manager for Sapp RCS and Cyberwerks Studios.
Having Rich around gave me room to breathe while managing all my different businesses. I could pitch him an idea, and he would take off with it, executing it to perfection. I once told him I wanted to sponsor a free monthly workshop where local photographers and videographers could shoot models and special events—my only rule was that my name couldn't be on it. I wanted Rich to run the show as the face and owner. He linked up with Benny Blanco and Foto Mike, who brought in connections from the Latin car culture and video vixen scenes, creating one of the most influential creative networking events in Gwinnett for four straight years. Watching "Rich The Boss" in his element was an absolute joy.
Before working with me, Rich wasn't one for unfinished business, but over time, he learned the value of seeing a project through from start to finish. I watched his personal and professional growth flourish.
Through every major life shift, Rich was there:
• When my brother and I went our separate ways with Sapp RCS, Rich kept my spirits up and pushed me to keep building.
• He helped organize my daughter Nyla’s 13th birthday celebration at the studio.
• Years later, when Nyla had a tearful panic attack over getting an SUV instead of a car, Rich comforted her, cheered her up, and encouraged her until she was confident behind the wheel. He acted as her guardian angel for five years as she transitioned from homeschool to high school.
• Even though heavy construction labor wasn't his favorite thing, he’d make those ungodly early morning store runs and organize gear to keep our jobs on schedule.
When times were tough, he kept us uplifted. I introduced him to my network, helped validate him with industry veterans, and in return, he gave me solid, unwavering friendship.
When major tax issues forced me to scale down operations in 2018, we parted ways professionally. But I helped him secure a new location, gifted him studio gear, and continued supporting him from afar as he went on to manage several other studios. Rich was finally The Man, and I couldn't have been prouder.
We stayed in touch, and whenever he subtly implied he needed a hand, I was always there—just like he had been for me during critical moments in my life. Recently, I was able to plug him for a writing placement. He thanked me for making him sit through those long studio sessions years ago to learn the full creative process.
It’s just now hitting me that Rich passed away doing what he loved.
Rest easy, Rich Lalanne.
Safe House Rich. Mr. Trustworthy.
