that mc speak has believed in since adolesence; as sixth graders on a field trip he and nevin would share headphones on the bus to listen to the roots' things fall apart. he hasn't been able to break away ever since. more often than not, it's hip hop that's been the platform to showcase his extraordinary ability to manipulate words and provide a delicate and often snarky insight into the way he looks at things--and in every song he writes, a little bit of his personality shows through.
believe, me, though, you've met his type; those gregarious extroverts who devour the attention of everyone in the room. you don't know why, but for some reason your mindset shifts when they walk in, their auras gleaming, and by sheer force of personality you're listening to everything they say. at the end of the day, though, what do these people have to show for it?
speak, on the other hand, started young. being aware of his uncanny ability to draw people to him, he joined contextual flow and later formed soul rock affiliates who experienced significant local success, released a now out-of-print ep and garnered a formidable fanbase before going on an extended hiatus. in the meantime, he scribbled rhymes furiously and used his quick wit and accessible style to win numerous battles across the country.
beyond the boundaries of high school get-togethers, hundred-dollar prize battles and backalley ciphers, though, speak simply makes great music (a feat unsurpassed by 99% of battle rappers). a writer and a musician foremost, his attention to musical nuances and fantastic meshing of varied and eclectic influences allow him to stay true to his pop sensibilites while creating well-crafted hip hop songs.
in a messy hip hop landscape littered with the spectrum of the pseudo-political, the grimy, the thuggish, the shiny bapestas, the completely out-there... mc speak is a rapper you can be friends with.
after taking a year off from recording music to focus on a more honest, workaday lifestyle, speak has delved into a more insightful realm with the forthcoming release of his new album, octopus luck number 8. the title bears little resemblance to its content, but it highlights a departure from the quirky, uptempo people under the stairs style and turns instead to a more mature sound, capable of encapsulating all the tribulation and tumultuousness that goes with getting your grown man on. because, people, we've all gotta take care of business. his business is in music, and he's certainly grown.
- OCTOPUS LUCK NUMBER 8, full-length album on applebird records.
- extensive touring schedule to come starting 2008
- video blogs, updates, and top fives!
- limited press kits and vinyl releases of unreleases
- free shit! stay tuned.
leave love here.
