SPEECH

Music:

Member Since: 10/12/2005
Band Website: speechmusic.com
Band Members: Speech - vocals and countless others that contribute including Nicha - vocals; Za - bass; Rick Ward - guitar

SPEECH receives a proclamation from the city of ATLANTA
(April 16th 2007)

It’s a rarity that the press covers hip-hop artists receiving proclamations from their respective cities; instead we hear of arrest, search warrants and restraining orders. Well, April 16th 2007, the great city of Atlanta gave Speech the high honor of a proclamation. All of this in the midst of the Don Imus controversy, where he called some black women “nappy” and “Ho’s”. That controversy led to Hip Hop being under fire because of the blatant disrespect of black women from other black men as well!

Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Redman, Wu-tang, Ice-T, Biggie, Tupac, Busta Rhymes, Paul
Wall, Jay-Z, Eminem, and Nelly whose lyrics and videos have consistently degraded women and promoted
self-hatred. All of that is in stark contrast to Arrested Development’s lyricist, Speech. The new album, with his group Arrested Development, entitled “Since The last Time” is filled with relevant anthems of self-determination and hope.

Hip-Hop by nature has always been anti-establishment, so why the celebration of a proclamation anyway? Hip Hop has brought anthems like F___ the police or Fight the power! To some, Speech’s lyrics seem to lessen the potency & edge of hip-hop music.

Yet, a listen to his lyrics shows a complex and passionate mc. Speech is no stranger to anti-oppression sentiments. With lyrics about “the government being overthrown” – from the song, "Give a Man a Fish" (3 years, 5months… EMI) or “Let’s talk about a revolution" – from the song, "Revolution" (X Soundtrack Warner Brothers).

Speech has been a lyricist, political activist & recently even a minister of the gospel. His track record of consistent racial dignity and purpose shines as a direct contrast to the present day opportunist
who switches sides depending on the popular musical climate.

Speech hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin son of Robert Thomas & Patricia Pattillo. Patricia is owner of Wisconsin’s largest black newspaper, the Milwaukee Community Journal. Speech has two children and a wife of 17 years. His group Arrested Development have re-united and are on tour promoting, “Since The Last Time”. For more information on Speech visit: www.arresteddevelopmentmusic.com

Bright Boateng (Gold Star)

Get your very own Speech Smiley at Smiley Central .
Influences: Everybody
Sounds Like: Speech
Record Label: bluhammock music: www.bluhammock.com
Type of Label: Indie