CONGRATULATIONS TO SPEECH!! Speech's solo album "The Vagabond" was voted BEST RAP/HIP-HOP album in the 6th Annual Independent Music Awards!
Speech was born in Milwaukee. The youngest son of Robert & Patricia Thomas/Pattillo who for 35 years have owned and operated Wisconsin's Largest African American newspaper The Milwaukee Community Journal. He grew up hearing the concerns of the black community and feeling the pulse of the black experience. Speech fell in love with music as he tagged along at his fathers night club, "The Fox Trap", hearing songs by Marvin Gaye, and The Spinners. Speech saw the power of music and the reaction of the crowds and he knew that he wanted to use that power to share messages of hope, change and inspiration.
With that mission, Speech would later start a group called Arrested Development. From humble and rural beginnings, Arrested Development became a landmark, & pioneering force in the music world. The group won their first two Grammy Awards (Best new artists & Best rap single 1993) with songs that Speech wrote and produced from the album, 3 years, 5 months and 2 days in the life of...". They released a second album in 1994, "Zingalamaduni" which was met with critical acclaim and was nominated for another Grammy award. The group went on a hiatus in 1995, which is when Speech began to record some experimental and interesting grooves on his own. His record label heard the works in progress and asked to release the raw demo quality songs. In 1996 with his self titled debut, Speech as a solo artist was born.
Speech was asked to tour with Vice President Al Gore and first lady Hillary Clinton during their presidential campaigns, that experience would be the first of many things to come, including tours with fellow Grammy Award-winners Hootie & the Blowfish, Herbie Hancock, Chaka Khan, Youssou N'dour, James Brown, Parliament - Funkadelic, Jason Mraz, and The Roots.
In addition to touring and releasing his own albums, Speech has produced songs for the legendary Zap Mama, (Spike Lee's) Malcolm X soundtrack, and other films like, Boomerang, Bebe's Kids, Warriors of Virtue, "Whipped" and Michael Jordan's "to the Max" (An IMAX production).
Speech often loves to visit the country of Japan, where he performs at the historic Blue Note establishments. He has released 5 solo albums since 1996 all of which have spawned Top 10 hit singles. His album "Spiritual People" released in 2000 went Gold in 3 months of its release. It was also awarded the Best black music album of the year 2000 by ADLIB magazine. Speech has supported each album with sold out tours and intense promotional schedules, making at least two trips to Japan per year. Speech feeling that his own country had been left out, decided to again focus on the U.S.
In April of 2006 Speech graced U.S. stages with a refreshing blend of himself on turntables and vocals, Rick Ward on guitar, and Mike Mullis on Mandolin. The tour was an instant success re-introducing him to the U.S. market while promoting his new album, "The Vagabond" (Bluhammock records). Speech's solo album "The Vagabond" was voted BEST RAP/HIP-HOP album in the 6th Annual Independent Music Awards!
His present home is in Atlanta, where Speech owns Vagabond Productions, which since 1994, has been a staple in promoting hip-hop, neo-soul and culture.
Speech maintains great passion for hip hop music & social change. Look for colaborations with Ty, 1 Giant Leap, Braille and the highly anticipated Arrested Development re-union album, "Since the Last Time."
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