Speech Debelle
Speech Therapy
Twenty f_ive year old South Londoner Speech Debelle is an excitingly
authentic new voice in British hip hop, and with this, her debut, she has
signalled that a major talent is here.We quickly learn from her storytelling
raps that life has been no bowl of cherries for Speech. Poor parenting,
rubbish boyfriends and mundane jobs are just some of the trials and
tribulations she has to contend with, yet still there is hope for the future.
Produced by Roots Manuva cohort Wayne Lotek ( and featuring the deep
voiced maestro himself on the wonderful ‘Wheels In Motion’ ) the music is
not as harsh and aggressive as one would expect it to be. Instead there is
a gentle jazzy, even folky, f_low throughout.
But if you want the best idea of what Speech is all about, the lyrics of the
title track are a sure pointer. “I’ve made some mistakes in this life I’m not
proud of, see?/ But I hope that doesn’t mean now I’m trying it will be
harder for me/ I’ve been hurt and it’s not an excuse but it’s a reason/ It’s
like some things happen in life for a lifetime or a season/ And I’m just now
learning how this world really works/ It’s a law that says you get back what
you put forth.”
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14