Speech Debelle
Speech Debelle (1983, London, England) is a British rap artist, winner of t… Read Full Bio ↴Speech Debelle (1983, London, England) is a British rap artist, winner of the 2009 Mercury Prize. Debelle is signed to the Big Dada record label.
Debelle's debut album, Speech Therapy, was released in the United Kingdom on 31 May 2009. The album has had three singles released, "Searching", "The Key", and "Go Then, Bye". It won the Barclay Mercury music prize in 2009. The Mercury judges said she was a "remarkable new voice in British hip-hop, tough, warm and reflective". One judge, the broadcaster and conductor Charles Hazlewood added: "She's just quietly telling her stories in the most beguiling way."
Speech began writing poetry aged nine and started rapping lyrics in the schoolyard aged 13. Back then, initial inspiration came courtesy of Michael Jackson, which quickly turned to Blackstreet, Mary J Blige, TLC and reggae.
The first thing about Speech Debelle that strikes the ear is a contrast. Her voice is warm, youthful and listenable, and if you heard her in the background you might assume that her lyrics were the same. You’d be better placed tuning into them. In common with her new label-mate Roots Manuva, she’s astoundingly honest in her music, detailing and exorcising some very personal demons. That isn’t to say she’s another run of the mill rapper with more complaints than insights. Quite the opposite. Like all musicians worth listening to, she draws you into her universe and makes you glad you visited. There’s always a thaw to the chillier moments.
‘Searching’ is her debut single, and a perfect example of the offbeat, folky production that will litter the forthcoming album, as well as the whisper-in-the-ear quality of her vocals. One thing is certain, hip-hop has never been done in quite this way before. ‘Searching’ makes you wonder why not.
Debelle's debut album, Speech Therapy, was released in the United Kingdom on 31 May 2009. The album has had three singles released, "Searching", "The Key", and "Go Then, Bye". It won the Barclay Mercury music prize in 2009. The Mercury judges said she was a "remarkable new voice in British hip-hop, tough, warm and reflective". One judge, the broadcaster and conductor Charles Hazlewood added: "She's just quietly telling her stories in the most beguiling way."
Speech began writing poetry aged nine and started rapping lyrics in the schoolyard aged 13. Back then, initial inspiration came courtesy of Michael Jackson, which quickly turned to Blackstreet, Mary J Blige, TLC and reggae.
The first thing about Speech Debelle that strikes the ear is a contrast. Her voice is warm, youthful and listenable, and if you heard her in the background you might assume that her lyrics were the same. You’d be better placed tuning into them. In common with her new label-mate Roots Manuva, she’s astoundingly honest in her music, detailing and exorcising some very personal demons. That isn’t to say she’s another run of the mill rapper with more complaints than insights. Quite the opposite. Like all musicians worth listening to, she draws you into her universe and makes you glad you visited. There’s always a thaw to the chillier moments.
‘Searching’ is her debut single, and a perfect example of the offbeat, folky production that will litter the forthcoming album, as well as the whisper-in-the-ear quality of her vocals. One thing is certain, hip-hop has never been done in quite this way before. ‘Searching’ makes you wonder why not.
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Speech Debelle Lyrics
'I'm With It' Yes love may I respond, to the train that you…
'Studio Backpack Rap' Wanna hear him rap, he do it drop of a…
Angel Wings Supa dupa high I’m the lord of flies The bridge that…
Bad Boy You can catch him sittin knowing that he’s sinning But…
Better Days I'm slowly billing up a savings every day Although it's har…
Blaze Up A Fire Some of us seeing what we know to become clear How…
Blaze Up A Fire Featuring Roots Manuva And Realism Some of us seeing what we know to become clear How…
Buddy Love Your tender touch is a must you got me paralysed…
Daddy's Little Girl Daddy I think I love you cause I hate you…
Eagle Eye Can you hear what I say am I talking to…
Elephant In the Living Room The lies weren’t created to hurt you I should have known…
Finish This Album My quiet observations on the bus city people lost trust Mau…
Go Then Bye I watched you leave and it was hard to breath, My…
I'm With It Yes love may I respond, to the train that you…
Live & Learn Life is learn live that's all it is I been from…
Live For The Message Live for the message, no gain without pain It’s all about…
Searching 2 am in my hostel bed, my eyes them red,…
Shawshank You notice, you so focused on the things they don’t…
Speech Therapy I made some mistakes in my life that I m…
Spinnin' This is for the tat on my wrist this is…
Studio Back Pack Rap Wanna hear him rap, he do it drop of a…
Sun Dog There’s work to be done, daydreams mean I sleep less…
The Key OK, I can see you held it down and learnt…
Wheels In Motion I walk the night street with lost souls We converse in…
Working Weak The screams from my alarm scares the sleep from me It…
X Marks The Spot We had so many conversations About your ex it’s amazing I kn…