Speech (rapper)
1718369
210009267
2008-05-04T00:42:50Z
165.134.208.120
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{{Infobox Musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| Name = Speech
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| Background = solo_singer
| Birth_name = Todd Thomas
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| Born = {{birth date and age |1968|10|25}}
| Died =
| Origin = [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], [[United States|U.S.]]
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| Genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
| Occupation = [[Rapping|Rapper]], [[musician]]
| Years_active = 1993–present
| Label = [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]]/[[EMI]]
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'''Speech''' is the [[stage name]] of '''Todd Thomas''' (born [[October 25]], [[1968]]), an [[US|American]] [[rapping|rapper]] and [[musician]]. He is a member of the progressive [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] group [[Arrested Development (hip hop group)|Arrested Development]]. He has also released a number of solo albums.
==Background==
He was born in [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]], [[United States]] and spent his childhood and teen-age years there and in [[Ripley, Tennessee]], before relocating to [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] in 1987 to attend the [[Art Institute of Atlanta]]. He attended [[Rufus King High School]].
==Music career==
===With Arrested Development===
In 1988, Speech joined with fellow DJ Headliner to form the group [[Arrested Development (hip hop group)|Arrested Development]]. After three years together, the group released their inaugural album, ''[[3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of...]]'', which produced several hits and sold very well.{{fact|date=March 2008}} Speech performed lead vocals on most of the album's tracks. The group's follow-up album, ''Zingalamaduni'', fared poorly by comparison. Speech would go on to pursue his solo career.
In 2000, Speech reunited with Arrested Development (without the participation of Headliner). The group continues to tour, with most of their following in Japan.{{fact|date=March 2008}}
===Solo===
His debut solo album, ''Speech'', on [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]]/[[EMI]], was released [[January 23]], [[1996]].
"Like Marvin Said (What's Going On)", released by EMI Records in November 1995, was the first single from the album. From March to May 1996, Speech toured [[Japan]], [[Guadeloupe]], [[Amsterdam]] and several areas of the U.S. “Like Marvin Said” was a #1 hit in Japan for seven weeks.
Speech toured with US Vice President [[Al Gore]] and First Lady [[Hillary Clinton]] in the [[American Southeast|South]] during the 1996 United States Presidential election. Speech was also invited to and attended the [[inaugural]] celebrations.
In November 1996, he toured with [[Hootie and the Blowfish]].
Speech released his second solo album ''[[1998 Hoopla]]'' in February 1998 on [[Toshiba]] EMI-Japan. The record included the top five hit, "Movin' On" and twice took Speech on a tour of Japan.
In addition to touring and releasing his own albums, Speech has performed on several soundtracks including ''[[1 Giant Leap]]'', ''[[Malcolm X (film)|Malcolm X]]'', ''[[Boomerang (film)|Boomerang]]'', ''[[Bebe's Kids]]'', ''Warriors of Virtue'', and ''[[Michael Jordan]] to the Max''.
==Personal life==
Speech is married to Yolanda Thomas and has a son, Jahi, and daughter, Zoe.
==External links==
*[http://www.speechmusic.com Official website]
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:African American musicians]]
[[Category:American male singers]]
[[Category:American rappers]]
[[Category:People from Milwaukee, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:People from Tennessee]]
[[Category:People from Atlanta, Georgia]]
{{US-hiphop-bio-stub}}
[[fi:Speech]]