About
Lamar Marquel “Speedy” Casey
Lamar Marquel “Speedy” Casey is a hip-hop artist, photographer/videographer, recording engineer, graphic designer, entrepreneur, and aspiring community activist. Born and raised in Saginaw, MI but also raised half of his lifetime in the city of Grand Rapids, MI as well. He goes by the stage name and releases music under the alias “Gwopped Up $peedy” and has many projects available online.
He is co-owner of the independent record label “Gwopped Up Records”. His music is about what he sees going on in the environment around him and about his personal struggles, wins, and losses and to spread a message about being dedicated to becoming the version of yourself and staying motivated through life. He also raps about social justice issues and speaks out about the injustices he sees happening daily. Lamar has been featured on many big shows in the Midwest region and was named “Global Money Worlds Top Artist To Watch In 2020” an award for artists on the rise in the country.
Lamar also owns a filming/photography company named “Speedy Flicked It Visuals” specializing in music videos and anything else when it comes to camera services. Lamar owns a graphic design company titled “Gwopped Up GFX” and also a clothing line titled “Gwopped Up Apparel”.
Connection To GR, Thoughts on Liberation, Reclamation
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“My connection to Grand Rapids: As a creative in the Grand Rapids area I’m heavily connected to the city because of my music career and also growing up on the southeast side when I first relocated here from Saginaw, MI during my youth. I remember how different things were 20 years ago compared to now in Grand Rapids, especially in the areas where we are seeing gentrification take over and areas that are considered “high crime areas”. I’ve been involved with assisting the community with being a part of projects like the Grand Rapids Hip Hop Coalition summer program for the youth for their “Hip Hop Summer Class”. I’ve put together events to give back and help the homeless, and also helped in assisting on numerous occasions to take water to Flint, MI because of the poisoned water crisis going on. I also assisted in going to city-county commission meetings with activists like Victor Williams, Rodney Brown, Jerry Bishop, and others to push for changes in the community. I’ve also had a heavy music presence in the community as well for over 10 years. I’ve opened for artists like Boosie, Young Jeezy, and numerous other big names in the industry. I graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in 2006 as well.
What the words “Liberation” and “Reclamation” mean to you- “Liberation” to me is seeing people of color rise above white supremacy to be mentally, physically, and financially free. Liberation is getting real social justice and removing the systems that are in place to keep us down. Doing for self, taking accountability for doing whatever it takes to provide a brighter future and better world for our kids, grandkids, and for the communities and city, we live in right now. Liberation to me seeing my people escape the mental chains that have been placed on us over hundreds of years ago. Liberation to me is group economics, real ownership, and living with no fear. When I think about the word “reclamation” I think it’s what we as a people deserve. We’ve done so much for the country we live in, we’re always stepping stones for other people’s agendas. Reclamation to me is seeing black people really take heed to our value and seeing it in each other and taking everything that’s ours and that was meant for us. If we don’t, nobody else will give it to us. We need reclamation in the household, reclamation with families sticking together, reclamation with being strategic and building with each other like our ancestors. It’s time for a change.
I’m a man who is very passionate about seeing a change in our city and helping to bring people together. With so much talent and potential here, I want to play my part in pushing the envelope and taking things to another level on all aspects that I can assist with. I’m honored to work with “The Diatribe” because I know great things will happen when great minds come together.”