Nick Speed

Nick Speed
Birth name Nicholas Speed
Born August 12, 1980
Michigan, Detroit
Origin Detroit
Genres hip-hop,
Occupation(s) Producer, songwriter, record producer, vocalist, writer, engineer, mixer, Dj
Years active 2004–present
Labels Capital Music Group, Mo-Town, Libido Sounds
Associated acts Lloyd Banks, Bishop Lamont, Proof (rapper), Elzhi, Seven the General
Website nickspeed.com

Nick Speed is a platinum credited Hip hop producer who has produced tracks for 50 Cent, Mopreme Shakur, Lloyd Banks, M.O.P., Talib Kweli, Phat Kat, Musiq Soulchild, Bishop Lamont and many more.[1][2]

Early years

During the late 1990s, Nick Speed formed a hip-hop crew called 9-2-5 Colony with classmates Magestik Legend and iLLite, both of whom would go on to become part of the Subterraneous Records stable of artists.

While still in high school, Speed and Magestik spent a significant amount of time with DJ House Shoes, who assisted them with their first production experiments while also introducing them to other like-minded artists in the Detroit hip-hop community. Among these artists were Elzhi, who was then part of the Breakfast Club, and One Be Lo, who was part of Binary Star.

Speed and Magestik Legend invited Elzhi to become a part of the 925 Colony in 1999, shortly after Elzhi had completed recording his unreleased EP, Out of Focus. The new trio recorded only a few songs, none of which were released. Among these are "Farewell," produced by Lacks, "Oh Shit," and "Gun Talk."

The trio also produced and conceived a number of unrecorded songs such as "Anarchy" and "Song of the Nightingale (Produced by DJ Houseshoes)."

Nick Speed is no stranger to the limelight. His first major publicity began when he was only four years old, appearing on the front page of the Washington Post after being honored by President Ronald Regan for his accomplishments as Washington D.C.’s youngest on-air radio personality. As the son of an American music pioneer, Nick Speed has been surrounded by music his entire life.

As a child, his father’s colleague, Quincy Jones, sang the scales of music in Nick’s ear and told of his plans to have Vincent Price do a voice over on his new Michael Jackson project. He saw the first ever television show dedicated to playing videos from African American musicians - BET’s Video Soul - created by his father right before his eyes. At the age of six, Nick moved to Detroit for good, and embraced the musical culture and the sounds of Motown and began his own journey towards his musical future and establishing himself as a staple in Motor City [3]

After 925

With Magestik Legend's growing involvement with the Subterraneous crew, and Elzhi's affiliation with Waajeed and Slum Village, the 9-2-5 Crew found little time to write, record or perform music. While never officially terminated or disbanded, the group remains on hiatus, as each member of the crew still enjoy close ties and friendships.

Nick Speed, however, was left to his own devices, and became a freelance producer for many underground artists. Among the projects Speed worked on during this era was the unreleased record Inside Out by iLLite. This fruitful collaboration inspired the pair to work on a separate, full-length project, dubbing themselves the "People Movers." Conceived in 2002, nothing from this project has been released.

G-Unit and Libido Sounds

Towards the end of 2004, friends and longtime collaborators Nick Speed and Elzhi teamed up to release Witness My Growth, a double-CD mixtape chronicaling Elzhi's long, secretive history as a solo artist. To facilitate the release of this long-gestating project, the two created "Libido Sounds," an independent imprint dedicated to releasing quality hip-hop music.

Recently, much has been made of Nick Speed's affiliation to G-Unit Records. Through connections that Nick made during frequent trips to New York City, a collection of Speed's beats found its way to the hands of Sha Money XL, who offered Nick an in-house production contract and management deal. Through this deal, Nick has produced tracks for many of today's most popular and influential emcees. He worked with Lloyd Banks the most during his time at g-unit and recurrently produced on "Cold Corner 2" [4]

Lloyd Banks also contacted Nick for his third studio album "The Hunger For More 2" where he produced "Home Sweet Home. Nick has been quoted as saying he has produced at least 10 records for Lloyd Banks alone. Some are on albums some are on mixtapes".[5] [6]

In August 2007, Nick Speed released the D-Tour Mixtape which showcases his versatility as a producer as well as an emcee. The double CD features many of Speed's collaborations with mainstream stars like 50 Cent and Lloyd Banks, but also displays the talents of other Detroit artists such as 87 and Fes Roc.

During his time at g-unit Nick developed a relationship with Dr Dre protege at the time Bishop Lamont and despite both parties no longer being associated with g-unit/aftermath they recently collaborated on a record called "Don't Stop" featuring Mopreme Shakur [7]

J Dilla's Legacy

Nick was asked to be a part of legendary producer J Dilla project Rebirth Of Detroit. Nick said Working on Dillatroit was truly an honor and thanked Ma Dukes and Yancy Media Group for the opportunity to appear on the lead singe with Guilty Simpson and Supa Emcee as well as arranging the entire album! He also was the Beat Workshop host at the Dilla Youth Day (2014-2011).[8]

Nick Speed & Seven the General

Nick & Seven the General[9] first worked together as a writer/producer team in 2010 on K'Jon[10] Present's Nick Speed & the Detroit Connect. Later that year "Seven the General" was named one of 11 "Hottest Local Talent" by WJLB for his Nick Speed produced "I Get It In" feat. K'Jon[11] released on Seven's "the Sanctum Sanctorum" LP.

In early 2013 Nick Speed produced "A.R.T the DIA project" for legendary Detroit emcee "Seven the General.[12] The album would go on to be nominated for a Detroit Music Award[13] "Outstanding Electronic/Dance Recording" based on the track "Knowhere".[14] Entirely produced by Nick Speed "A.R.T. the DIA project" also features the songs "Show Up"[15] & "Detroit City Blues" by Seven the General featuring Guilty Simpson & Bizarre[16] that became the official promotional anthem for "The Detroit Design Festival"[17] held annually in Detroit.

In August 2014 Seven the General & Nick Speed released "A.R.T. the DIA project" Documentary. The 23 minute film documents the creation of A.R.T. the DIA project (Seven the General's 4th solo LP) and gives an in-depth look into the producer and songwriters musical partnership and dedication to Detroit and Hip-Hop as a genre.[18]

Hot 107.5 and Nick Speed in 2014

After not doing press in a few years at the end of 2013 Nick stated as his album 'The Beat Down' went to #1 in the UK he aims to get over their very soon, the album was initially only released on Vinyl. Nick stated in 2014 he has new music coming with Bishop Lamont, B-Real, Joey Badass and Danny Brown among many others. Nick now has his own show live on Hip-hop Detroit 107.5 'Pres Play Live'. Nick stated he is also working on new solo material and is excited for the upcoming release of his next album"

Discography

Studio albums

Production

Vocals

Mixing/Writing & Arrangements

Features

References

  1. ↑ Allmusic credits
  2. ↑ "Nick Speed Bio...".
  3. ↑ "Artist Nick Speed".
  4. ↑ "Nick Speed Tumblr".
  5. ↑ "Thisis50 Who Is Nick Speed ".
  6. ↑ "NME Nick Speed ".
  7. ↑ "Datpiff tracklist ".
  8. ↑ "Platinum Credit, Detroit Artist Of The Year..".
  9. ↑ http://www.thebeeshine.com/what-inspires-seven-the-general/
  10. ↑ http://www.realdetroitweekly.com/detroit/the-art-of-mixtape/Content?oid=1352676
  11. ↑ http://www.fm98wjlb.com/pages/WNOTM_2010.html
  12. ↑ http://smokingsection.uproxx.com/TSS/2013/02/seven-the-general-nick-speed-art-the-dia-project-mixtape
  13. ↑ http://www.detroitmusicawards.com/nominees.html
  14. ↑ http://smokingsection.uproxx.com/TSS/2013/08/top-100-songs-2013#page/6
  15. ↑ http://allhiphop.com/videos/heateroftheday-seven-the-general-show-up-prod-by-nick-speed/
  16. ↑ http://allhiphop.com/2012/11/01/seventhegeneral-ft-guilty-simpson-thatsimpsonguy-and-bizarre-bizarresworld-detroit-city-blues/
  17. ↑ http://www.detroitcreativecorridorcenter.com/2012/07/03/nick-speed/
  18. ↑ http://uproxx.com/smokingsection/2014/08/seven-the-general-nick-speed-art-the-dia-project-documentary/

External links