Speech

  • Milwaukee, WI
    hometown
  • Hip-Hop/Rap
    genre
  • 1988
    started
  • Bio
    full story
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About Speech

Official Site: http://speechmusic.com/


Speech rose to success in the early '90s as the leader of the groundbreaking alternative rap group Arrested Development. Born Todd Thomas in Milwaukee, WI, on October 25, 1968, he was raised primarily in Ripley, TN, before relocating to Georgia in 1987 to attend the Art Institute of Atlanta. There he met fellow student Tim Barnwell, and together they laid the foundations for Arrested Development's 1988 formation; adopting the stage name Speech, Thomas' lyrics reflected a positive, socially conscious, and deeply spiritual world-view far removed from the negative stereotypes of the burgeoning gangsta rap movement, while the group's music served up a rootsy, organic fusion of hip-hop, soul, funk, and blues. Arrested Development's 1992 debut, 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life of..., was among the year's most critically and commercially well-received efforts, launching the hits "Tennessee" and "Everyday People," earning several Grammys and topping a number of year-end music-writers' polls. After 1994's Zingalamaduni fell victim to the sophomore slump, however, Speech disbanded Arrested Development and mounted a solo career, debuting in 1996 with a self-titled LP on Capitol; Hoopla, his first release for new label TVT, followed three years later. A period of rest gave Speech the opportunity to become a father and get back in touch with his family, allowing him to take time to reflect on his life and prepare for his next album. The result of this downtime was Spiritual People, a record filled with positive messages and a sense of unity that brought to mind his days with Arrested Development. Three years later he returned with Vagabond. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

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Music

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    Esmerelda
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    • Ache'n For Acres
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/6/9/3/4/1/113814396.mp3
    • Mister Landlord
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/5/4/4/4/1/113814445.mp3
    • Pride
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/9/4/7/4/1/113814749.mp3
    • United Minds
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/4/3/4/4/1/113814434.mp3
    • Warm Sentiments
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/3/9/4/4/1/113814493.mp3
    • Kneelin' At My Altar
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/5/4/3/4/1/113814345.mp3

Photos

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  • EMI/Chrysalis
    Speech
    EMI/Chrysalis
    Eric Johnson

News

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  • Speech
    Chrissy Teigen Dives Into Macklemore Crowd At Hangout And It's F***ing Awesome
    VH1 Tuner
    May 18, 2013
    We know you wish you were in the crowd during Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ' amazing high-energy set at Hangout. But we've got the next best thing. VH1's ...
    Read More
  • Speech
    The 6 Best Moments Of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' Hangout Fest Performance
    MTV Buzzworthy
    May 18, 2013
    You know you're doing it right when your audience brings fur coats to your show on a blazing-hot Alabama day, and one of your many crowd surfing excur...
    Read More
  • Speech
    New Comic Book Day Pull List: 'The Dream Merchant,' 'FF,' And More
    MTV Geek
    May 15, 2013
    By Patrick A. Reed Welcome to MTV Geek's New Comic Book Day Pull List! Each week We'll pick some choice titles that hit shelves on that holiest of ...
    Read More
  • Speech
    Interview: Jeff Lemire On 'Animal Man' - Buddy Baker, Oscar Winner?
    MTV Geek
    May 15, 2013
    In 2013, writer Jeff Lemire will further raise the profile of the tragedy-prone DC hero Animal Man by putting Buddy Baker up for an award for his ...
    Read More
  • Speech
    So Wait, Is "Genuity" A Word Or Not? We Consulted Some Experts
    VH1 Blog
    May 15, 2013
    As media personalities who boast about being nice with the pen, JasFly and Ms. Drama should be equally nice with using the English language in the...
    Read More
  • Speech
    The History Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Part One: The Off-Beat Origin
    MTV Geek
    May 14, 2013
    By Patrick A. Reed By now, you've probably heard the news that ABC has ordered a full season of " Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. ," the show set i...
    Read More
  • Speech
    Adam Lambert Calls for Love + Acceptance In GLAAD Media Awards Speech
    MTV Act
    May 13, 2013
    Adam Lambert has done a lot of work for LGBT rights, and this past weekend he was honored at the 24th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco. S...
    Read More

Discography

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  • The Vagabond (2005)
    Speech
    The Vagabond (2005)
    Bluhammock Music
  • Peechy (2003)
    Speech
    Peechy (2003)
    Toshiba
  • Spiritual People (2002)
    Speech
    Spiritual People (2002)
    Imusic
  • Down South Produckshuns (2002)
    Speech
    Down South Produckshuns (2002)
    Vagab
  • Hoopla (1999)
    Speech
    Hoopla (1999)
    TVT
  • Speech (1996)
    Speech
    Speech (1996)
    EMI (America)
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