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 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 and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. His first rap group, Attack, was active from 1984 until 1986. He also DJ'd at a popular teen club called the Fox Trap along with other guest DJs. Music career 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.... 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 went on to pursue his solo career, also starting Vagabond Productions as a vehicle for 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 digital outlets across the world. In 2000, Speech also reunited with Arrested Development (without the participation of DJ Headliner or Aerle Taree). Solo His debut solo album, Speech, on Chrysalis/EMI, was released January 23, 1996. "Like Marvin Said (What's Going On)", released by EMI Records in November 1995, was the first single from the album. From March to May 1996, Speech toured Japan, Guadeloupe, Amsterdam, and several areas of the U.S. "Like Marvin Said" was a No. 1 hit in Japan for seven weeks. In December 1996, Speech became a disciple of Jesus Christ within the International Churches of Christ. Speech did various shows with Herbie Hancock, Chaka Khan, Youssou N'dour, James Brown, Parliament – Funkadelic, Jason Mraz, and The Roots. The musical side of Speech kept him producing and writing songs for progressive artists like Zap Mama, Spike Lee's Malcolm X soundtrack, and Boomerang starring Eddie Murphy. He was in other movies like Bebe's Kids, Warriors of Virtue, Whipped, and the Michael Jordan documentary To the