SPEECH

RIP, my brother Strick. 💔 Before the world knew your name, we were young brothers in Milwaukee, making music and dreaming big. Your first group, Kid Crab & Strick Luv, part of my Fresh Walkin’ Family collective and the Illchief Rockers, we all helped lay the foundation for Mil town’s hip-hop scene. Back then, I was Todd “Peech” Thomas, producing records within the “I Want Your Sister,” “Jealous,” and “I Got to Rock” days. We didn’t have much, but we had each other and we had hip-hop. When I became Speech (from “Peech”) and found worldwide success with my group Arrested Development, I reached back for my brother. In 1993, Mariah Carey asked me to remix Trey Lorenz’s “Photograph of Mary,” a song she produced with Walter Afanasieff. I brought Strick onto that remix because the world needed to hear what Milwaukee already knew. Them watching you build your legacy with Masta Ace and eMC made me proud. You carried our city with you. You lived and breathed this music. And through it all, I was always proud. We even did Masta Ace & Marco Polo’s “Life Music” song together in 2023. The world lost a hip-hop legend. I lost a piece of my beginnings. Rest in peace, Strick. You came. You saw. You conquered. I’ll carry the memories and the love for the rest of my days. ✊🏾🙏🏾❤️ Shout to: King Kamonzi & Mike Erdman for keeping me updated.