Speech on Contemplating Suicide after Group Breakup & Failed Solo Album (Part 5)

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After the success of Arrested Development's debut album and subsequent "Unplugged" album, the group started working on their sophomore album, "Zingalamaduni." Speech explained that during this time, the corporate side of the business started affecting the creative side of the group now that group members started having their own individual camps.

While the sophomore album almost went Gold and received Grammy consideration, the project failed to match the success of the first album. Speech stated that it was a hard time for him and the beginning of his depression. Speech took the failure personal as he was the producer and songwriter for the group. He added that, despite a successful tour, the group broke up a year later because some of the members valued the money over the creativity and message of the group.

Speech signed a solo deal on the same label after the group broke up but his album only sold 15,000 units in the United States. He said that the failure of his solo deepened his depression to the point he contemplated suicide. Despite the failure of the album domestically, the silver lining was that the album was well-received in Japan and saved his career.

Speech became aware of how well his debut solo album was doing in Japan while touring with famous rock bang Hootie & the Blowfish. While checking Billboard, Speech found out that his song, "Like Marvin Gaye Said (What's Goin' On)," was number one in Japan for seven weeks. After comparing the star power of Hootie & the Blowfish at the time to The Beatles, Speech spoke on record labels rejecting conscious Hip Hop and how the Telecommunications Act of 1996 contributed to what Arrested Development frontman called the "love of Hip Hop to prison pipeline." Speech also described joining Al Gore and Hillary Clinton on Clinton's book tour after she came across his song, "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child."

In the latest clip, Speech explained why he sued the TV sitcom Arrested Development. Using "In Living Color" and "Survivor" as examples, Speech claimed that big broadcasting companies had been using the same names of past musical acts for their shows. The rapper explained that once the name is used for a major show, "it's hard for the group to have a pathway to the public because the public only thinks about the TV show." Speech added that the Arrested Development name was trademarked in 1993, while the sitcom premiered in 2003, so he was well within his right to sue. While the sum "wasn't close" to what Arrested Development was offered for a Coke commercial, Speech said the case was settled out of court.

In the final clip, Speech revealed the current status of his relationship with some of the original Arrested Development members. Speech stated that he's worked things out with Headliner but doubted that the two will ever be as close as they once were. He talked about inviting past members to join him and the group on stage whenever's he's in their area before highlighting his recent solo project, "Expansion." Speech also referred to Arrested Development's recently released album, "Don't Fight Your Demons," as their best album since their solo debut.