Nick Speed

Nick Speed is a platinum credited producer from Detroit, Michigan. Speed hit the game at a young age full of ambition and drive. Speed has achieved many accolades throughout his career.  From the beginning, 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.

Nick Speed wearing For Pete's Sake Detroit Shirt and Pelican Hat

Photo by One Snap Photography

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."

Towards the end of 2004, friends and longtime collaborators Nick speed and Elzhi teamed up to release “witness my growth”, a double-cd mixtape chronicling 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.

 

In recent years, 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 achieved platinum sales on 50 cent’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’ soundtrack.

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.

Speed has produced tracks for many of today's most popular and influential emcees.

Speed has also produced recording artist Danny Brown’s breakout album “Hot Soup” which debuted in 2008. Speed has worked with Danny Brown on many of his other projects as well.

Recently, Speed has made a mark in the radio broadcasting industry by frequently being a guest DJ on Shade 45. Speed also took part in the creation of a segment called “Hot in the Streets” for Detroit’s Hot 107.5. Speed is currently developing his own custom portable turntable with Crosley radio

In addition to Speed’s radio breakout, Speed has continued to work with award winning artists, including JDilla. With Dilla, he arranged his Rebirth of Detroit Album in 2012 and performed on the lead single “Dillatroit”. Speed also helped produce the first “Detroit Dilla Day” which was held at The Filmore. Speed also produced the award winning album A.R.T the DIA Project for artist, Seven the General.

Nick released his first vinyl record through the techno label, Underground Resistance, Nick speed released, speed of sound, the label’s first hip hop release. Speed’s vinyl only album “Nicholas the Beat Down”, on Moody Mann’s Mahogani Music Label hit the charts with #1 in the UK for 10 weeks

Nick speed’s track, “Streets of Detroit” has been featured in countless Detroit documentaries including Rollin by Al Prophet and Got to Keep Dreaming by Michael Bolton.

Among Speed’s accolades he was awarded, The Detroit Black Music Award for Hip Hop/ Rap Artist of the year in 2013

Over the years Nick Speed has been an active artist during Detroit’s Movement Festival including a headlining performance with “The Godfather of Techno, Juan Atkins in 2010 and opening for DJ Godfather in 2015

Nick speed’s new album, Nick of Time was released at movement 2016 as a vinyl only surprise album with hand drawn labels and 15 hand painted album covers by NNII, to be displayed at an upcoming art show in Detroit.

In 2017, Speed was featured in the Detroit D.I.A Exhibit. The Detroit After dark photographs from the DIA’s Collection taken by Jenny Richer were also purchased for the Detroit Institute of Arts permanent collection.

Nick Speed is currently in studio working on tracks for upcoming projects. Check out more Nick Speed at nickspeed.com