| Speech | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Birth name |
Todd Thomas |
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Born |
October 25, 1968 |
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Origin |
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
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Genre |
|
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Occupation(s) |
Rapper, record producer, musician |
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Years active |
1988-present |
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Label |
Chrysalis (1995-1996) |
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Associated acts |
Arrested Development, Gumbo |
Todd Thomas (born October 25, 1968), better known by his stage name Speech, is an American rapper, record producer and musician. He is best known for being the frontman and co-founder of the alternative hip hop group Arrested Development. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Thomas was raised there and in Ripley, Tennessee, before moving to Georgia in 1987 to attend the Art Institute of Atlanta. In Atlanta, he met DJ Headliner, with whom he founded Arrested Development.
Arrested Development released their debut album, 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life of..., in 1992. Thomas performed lead vocals and produced the entirety of the album. It produced several hit records and earned the group two Grammy Awards: Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Tennessee" and Best New Artist. In 1994, the group's follow-up, Zingalamaduni, did not perform as well commercially, and the group subsequently split. That same year, Thomas formed his own production company Vagabond Productions and became a promoter of neo-soul, hip hop and rock concerts in Atlanta. Thomas embarked on a solo career with the release of his self-titled debut album in 1996, which sold well in Japan and Europe but not in the United States. From 1998 to 2009, Thomas released an additional six solo albums, many of which were released exclusively in Japan.
Arrested Development reunited in 2000, and Thomas has toured and recorded with the group extensively since then.
Discography[]
Studio albums[]
- 1996: Speech
- 1998: Hoopla
- 2000: Spiritual People
- 2002: Down South Produekshuns
- 2003: Peachy
- 2005: The Vagabond
- 2009: The Grown Folks Table