Speech (rapper)

Infobox Musical artist
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
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Origin = Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
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Genre = Hip hop
Occupation = Rapper, musician
Years_active = 1993–present
Label = Chrysalis/EMI
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Speech is the stage name of Todd Thomas (born October 25, 1968), an American rapper and musician. He is a member of the progressive hip hop group Arrested Development. He has also released a number of solo albums.

Background

He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States and spent his childhood and teen-age years there and in Ripley, Tennessee, before relocating to 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. 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

olo

His debut solo album, "Speech", on 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 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", "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]