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
    speech
    Video
    Esmerelda
  • 5740
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    All the music you want, just 10 bucks a month. Try it free.
    • I'ma Fight Back Right Now
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/2/8/6/0/4/886340682.mp3
    • Esmerelda
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/8/4/8/3/3/967733848.mp3
    • Across the Universe
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/5/2/3/4/3/967734325.mp3
    • Gone Away
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/2/1/4/4/3/967734412.mp3
    • No one like you
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/2/6/5/5/3/967735562.mp3
    • Catch the Fire
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g1/7/2/3/4/3/967734327.mp3

Photos

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  • EMI/Chrysalis
    Speech
    EMI/Chrysalis
    Eric Johnson

News

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Next Page
  • Speech
    I'm Married To A... Cougar Couple "Team Us" Talks Breaking Stereotypes
    VH1 Blog
    May 24, 2013
    This week's installment of I'm Married To A... shed light on a dating phenomenon we've seen play out in movies and across the pages of tabloids. M...
    Read More
  • Speech
    Live Stream Reveals New Xbox!!!
    Multiplayer Blog
    May 21, 2013
    So I hear Microsoft has some big announcement today about some kind of new "ecksbawks" and it's supposed to play the next "Call of Duty" vidjagame. OK...
    Read More
  • Speech
    The 15 Greatest Prom Scenes In Movie History
    VH1 Celebrity
    May 21, 2013
    Everyone knows that the high school prom is the greatest most important day of your life ! Or at least one of them. Definitely in the top 10 ...
    Read More
  • Speech
    Stevie Wonder Cries, Flavor Flav Drums And 8 Other Reasons We Love Hangout Fest
    VH1 Tuner
    May 20, 2013
    Our sunburned skin is peeling and we've got a mix of sand, glitter and cake (we'll get to that) in our ears, but damnit if we don't miss Hangout Musi...
    Read More
  • Speech
    Selfless Snaps: Taylor Swift Gives Thanks To Her Swifties + Shares Confidence Tips
    MTV Act
    May 20, 2013
    Taylor Swift cleaned up at last night’s Billboard Music Awards , where she nabbed eight of the 11 awards for which she was nominated. When she took ...
    Read More
  • Speech
    First Dibs: Are Kristen Stewart And Robert Pattinson On A Break?
    VH1 Celebrity
    May 20, 2013
    Did Ben Affleck 's celebrity friends show up for his induction into SNL' s Five Timers' Club? How did Alexander Skarsgard just make himself even h...
    Read More
  • Speech
    Justin Bieber And Selena Gomez: Their Billboard Music Awards Reunion
    MTV News
    May 20, 2013
    The exes (?) both perform, while Bieber proclaims during an acceptance speech, 'I should be taken seriously.'
    Read More
  • Speech
    Justin Bieber And Selena Gomez: Their Billboard Music Awards Reunion
    MTV News
    May 20, 2013
    The exes (?) both perform, while Bieber proclaims during an acceptance speech, 'I should be taken seriously.'
    Read More
  • 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
    Watch: Barack Obama Inspires Morehouse Grads With Commencement Speech (Video)
    www.vibe.com
    obliged to do for those still left behind," he said. "As Morehouse Men, you now wield something even more powerful than the diploma you're about to co...
    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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