Speech (rapper)

Todd Thomas (born October 25, 1968), better known by the stage name Speech, is an American rapper and musician. He is a member of the progressive hip hop group Arrested Development and has released a number of solo albums.

Background

He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States and spent his childhood 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 1987, Speech joined with fellow DJ Headliner to form the group Arrested Development. After over 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. Speech performed lead vocals, and produced the group's tracks. The group's follow-up album, Zingalamaduni, fared poorly by comparison, but was critically acclaimed. Speech would later go on to pursue his solo career. Speech also started Vagabond Productions since 1994 – Vagabond started as a vehicle for Grammy winners Arrested Development and their business dealings and became a promoter of neo soul, hip-hop, and rock concerts in Atlanta. The company then switched to representing artists in U.S. and Japan. Since then, Vagabond has become an all around production house that presents music to various labels and on-line outlets across the globe.