Arrested Development (group)
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox musical artist
Arrested Development is an American hip hop group formed in 1988 in Atlanta by rapper and producer Speech and turntablist Headliner. The group offered an Afrocentric, socially conscious alternative to the prevalent gangsta rap of the late 1980s, and gained critical and commercial success with its 1992 debut album, 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of.... The album topped the Village VoiceTemplate:'s Pazz & Jop Critics' Poll and sold over 6 million copies globally. In 1993, Arrested Development became the first hip hop act to win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, also receiving the award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
After the commercial disappointment of their 1994 follow-up, Zingalamaduni, the group disbanded in 1996. They reunited in 2000 and have continued to tour and release music independently through Speech's label, addressing themes of racial justice, spirituality, and environmental issues.
History
Formation and early success (1988–1994)
Arrested Development was formed in 1988 by rapper and producer Todd Thomas ("Speech") and turntablist Timothy Barnwell (known as Headliner). Baba Oje and frontman Speech met at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee when they were both students.
The group's debut album 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of... was the number-one album in the Village VoiceTemplate:'s 1992 Pazz and Jop Critic's Poll<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and in The WireTemplate:'s 1992 Critic's choice.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The group won two Grammy Awards in 1993: for Best New Artist, making them the first hip hop artist to win this award, and for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. They were also named Band of the Year by Rolling Stone. The debut album sold over 6 million copies worldwide.Template:Citation needed
A few months later, the group was approached by film director Spike Lee to compose a song for his upcoming biopic based on the life of Malcolm X. The group then recorded "Revolution", which appeared on the soundtrack for the film as well as the second half of its closing credits when the film was released in 1992.Template:Citation needed
Their 1994 follow-up, Zingalamaduni, sold poorly, and they broke up shortly after in 1996.
Reunion and legal disputes (2000–2008)
The group reunited in 2000, touring and releasing records via Speech's Vagabond Productions, but Aerle Taree did not return due to vocal problems.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Today, Aerle is a poet and converted from Buddhism to Christianity.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> DJ Headliner started his own business named Creative Royalty Group.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In November 2003, the group sued the Fox network over the name of the TV show Arrested Development.<ref name="post1">Template:Cite news</ref> The suit is referenced in the Arrested Development episodes "Public Relations",Template:Citation needed "Motherboy XXX",<ref name="lawsuit">Template:Cite web</ref> "Sword of Destiny",Template:Citation needed and "For British Eyes Only".Template:Citation needed
In June 2005, the group won the first round of the television series contest, Hit Me, Baby, One More Time, performing "Tennessee" and covering Los Lonely Boys' "Heaven" and donated the $20,000 proceeds to UNICEF.Template:Citation needed
The group's follow-up to their 2004 Among the Trees was Since the Last Time, released internationally on September 18, 2006. Since the Last Time was released in the United States on October 30, 2007, on Vagabond Record & Tapes, Speech's boutique label.Template:Citation needed
In March 2007, they toured Australia as part of a triple-bill, along with Simple Minds and INXS. In 2008, Arrested Development teamed with The Black Eyed Peas and performed at The Concert for Peace in Jerusalem, Israel, to promote peace among Palestinians and Israelis.Template:Citation needed Also in 2008, Arrested Development visited and sang with Debbie Peagler,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> an incarcerated survivor of domestic violence, and the inmate gospel choir that Peagler led at a California women's prison. Their visit was meant to support Peagler's legal battle for her release from prison and call attention to the plight of other victims of abuse and wrongful incarceration. The collaborative performance is included in Yoav Potash's documentary film Crime After Crime.Template:Citation needed
Later career (2009–present)
In 2010, the group released their ninth album Strong under Vagabond Records and Tapes, and licensed to the Japanese record label Cutting Edge, on December 9, 2009, and had a top 10 hit in Japan with the single "The World Is Changing". In an interview with Songfacts, Speech explained that the track "Greener" takes on the issue of climate change from the perspective of the African-American community.<ref name="songfacts">Template:Cite web</ref> On October 14, 2010, Baba Oje had a stroke.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On January 8, 2011, they performed with Emmylou Harris at the festival first night of the Sydney Festival in Sydney, Australia to 50,000 people. In August 2012, the group released its tenth album Standing at the Crossroads, recorded while touring internationally. The album, given away for free from the group's official website, took a lo-fi approach and was recorded entirely on a Mac laptop.<ref name="satcr-arresteddevelopmentmusic.com">Template:Cite web</ref> The same month, they announced a new tour throughout the United States and Australia to celebrate their 20th anniversary.Template:Citation needed
On October 9, 2016, Arrested Development performed at the Delicious Festival in South Africa. A line up that included The Jacksons, Macy Gray, De La Soul, Elements of Life, Roy Ayers and local food celebrities Reuben Riffel and Sarah Graham. The next day, members of Arrested Development drove to an orphanage in Soweto, then paid homage to Nelson Mandela at his home.Template:Citation needed
In January 2018, Arrested Development performed on the Trumpet Awards television show.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2018, 16 Bars,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> a documentary that follows prison inmates as they undertake musical projects, was made.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Baba Oje died of leukemia on October 26, 2018. His age was reported to be 86 or 87.<ref name="essence">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="rollingstone">Template:Cite magazine</ref> In October 2018, Speech released The Nigga Factory, a three-part docuseries exploring themes of racism and Afrocentrism.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later that year, they also released the album Craft & Optics.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On September 5, 2019, Arrested Development was given an award from Black Music Honors, which acknowledges artists that have made a significant contribution to African-American music.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On December 11, 2023, the group released the song Hip Hop Saves Lives featuring Chuck D & Grandmaster Caz. The record was produced by Configa.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Personnel
Current members
- Speech – lead vocals, production (1988–present)
- Jason "JJ Boogie" Reichert – guitar, mix engineering, production (2000–present)
- One Love – vocals (2001–present)
- Fareedah Aleem – vocals, dancing, choreography (2004–present)
- Tasha Larae – vocals (2008–2021, 2023–present)
- Montsho Eshe – dancing, choreography, vocals (1990–1996, 2023–present)
Former members
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- Headliner – turntables (1988–1996)
- Baba Oje – spiritual elder (1990–1996, 2000–2018; his death)
- Rasa Don – drums, vocals (1990–1996, 2000–2006)
- Aerle Taree – vocals, stylist (1990–1996)
- Dionne Farris – vocals (1992)
- Ajile – vocals (1994–1995)
- Foley – bass (1994–1996)
- Kamaal Malak – bass (1994–1996)
- Kwesi Asuo – vocals (1994–1996)
- Nadirah Shakoor – vocals (1994–1996)
- Isaiah 'Za' Williams III – bass (1996, 2000–2018)
- Nicha Hilliard – vocals, dancing (1996, 2000–2008)
- April Allen – vocals (2021–2023)
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> |
US R&B <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> |
AUS <ref name="aus" /> |
GER <ref name="ger" /> |
NED <ref name="ned" /> |
NZ <ref name="nz" /> |
SWE <ref name="nz" /> |
UK <ref name="uk" /> | |||
| 1992 | 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of...
|
7 | 3 | 4 | 32 | 30 | 6 | 48 | 3 |
|
| 1993 | Unplugged
|
60 | 38 | 18 | — | — | 26 | — | 40 |
|
| 1994 | Zingalamaduni
|
55 | 20 | 34 | 34 | 54 | — | 31 | 16 |
|
| 2000 | Da Feelin' EP
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2001 | Heroes of the Harvest
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2003 | Extended Revolution
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2004 | Among the Trees
|
— | — | — | 98 | — | — | — | — | |
| 2006 | Since the Last Time
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2010 | Strong<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2012 | Standing at the Crossroads<ref name="satcr-arresteddevelopmentmusic.com" />
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2016 | Changing the Narrative<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2016 | This Was Never Home<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2018 | Craft & Optics
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2020 | Don't Fight Your Demons
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2021 | For the Fkn Love<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 2025 | Adult Contemporary Hip Hop
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Compilations
- 1998: Best of Arrested Development
- 2001: Greatest Hits
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> |
US Hip-Hop <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> |
US Dance <ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> |
AUS <ref name="aus">Australian (ARIA) chart peaks:
|
FRA <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
GER <ref name="ger">German chart peaks:
|
NED <ref name="ned">Template:Cite web</ref> |
NZ <ref name="nz">Template:Cite web</ref> |
SWE <ref name="swe">Template:Cite web</ref> |
UK <ref name="uk">Template:Cite web</ref> | ||||
| 1992 | "Tennessee" | 6 | 1 | 34 | 14 | — | 27 | 34 | 12 | 24 | 18 |
|
3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... |
| "People Everyday" | 8 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | — | 20 | 6 | 27 | 2 |
| ||
| "Mr. Wendal" | 6 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 30 | 31 | 42 | 2 | — | 4 |
| ||
| "Revolution" | 90 | 49 | — | — | Malcolm X (Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack) | ||||||||
| 1993 | "Natural" | — | 90 | — | 59 | — | — | — | 34 | — | — | 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... | |
| "Mama's Always on Stage" | — | — | — | — | — | — | 22 | — | — | — | |||
| 1994 | "United Front" | — | 66 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Zingalamaduni | |
| "Ease My Mind" | 45 | 14 | — | 43 | — | — | — | 11 | — | 33 | |||
| "Africa's Inside Me" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| 2000 | "If Dey Ask" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Da Feelin' EP | |
| "Hit the Road Jack" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Heroes of the Harvest | ||
| 2004 | "Honeymoon Day" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Among the Trees | |
| 2005 | "A Lotta Things to Do" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006 | "Down & Dirty (Clap Your Hands)" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Since the Last Time | |
| "Miracles" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| 2010 | "The World Is Changing" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Strong | |
| 2011 | "Living" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Standing at the Crossroads | |
| 2016 | "Up" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | This Was Never Home | |
| "I Don't See You at the Club" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Changing the Narrative | ||
| 2018 | "In 1 Day (Whole World Changed)" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Craft & Optics | |
| 2020 | "Becoming" (with Configa) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Don't Fight Your Demons | |
| 2021 | "Vibe" (with Big Daddy Kane) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | For The FKN Love | |
Awards and nominations
<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Arrested Development | Best New Artist | Template:Won |
| 1993 | "Tennessee" | Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group | Template:Won |
| 1993 | "People Everyday" | Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group | Template:Nom |
| 1994 | "Revolution" | Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group | Template:Nom |
| 1995 | "Ease My Mind" | Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group | Template:Nom |
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | "Tennessee" | Best Rap Video | Template:Won |
| 1992 | Arrested Development | Best New Artist in a Video | Template:Nom |
| 1993 | "People Everyday" | Best Rap Video | Template:Won |
| 1993 | "Revolution" | Best Video From a Film | Template:Nom |
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Arrested Development | Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist | Template:Nom |
| 1993 | Arrested Development | Favorite R&B/Soul New Artist | Template:Nom |
| 1993 | Arrested Development | Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop New Artist | Template:Nom |
| 1994 | Arrested Development | Favorite R&B/Soul Band, Duo, or Group | Template:Nom |
| 1994 | Arrested Development | Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist | Template:Nom |
| Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of... | Best R&B/Soul Album – Group, Band, or Duo | Template:Nom |
| 1993 | "Tennessee" | Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band, or Duo | Template:Nom |
| 1993 | "Tennessee" | Song of the Year | Template:Nom |
| 1993 | "People Everyday" | Best Music Video | Template:Nom |
| 1993 | Arrested Development | Best New R&B/Soul Artist | Template:Nom |
| 1993 | 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of... | Best Rap Album | Template:Won |
| 1994 | "Mr. Wendal" | Best R&B Music Video | Template:Nom |
| 1994 | Unplugged | Best Rap Album | Template:Nom |
See also
- List of number-one R&B hits (United States)
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. dance chart
References
External links
- Template:Commons category-inline
- Template:Official website
- Arrested Development Japan
- Aerle Taree
- Radio Interview. Dec 2006 – 3SYN 90.7FM Melbourne, Australia
- Arrested Development video interview at allaboutjazz.com
Template:S-start Template:S-ach Template:Succession box Template:Succession box Template:S-end
- Pages with broken file links
- Musical groups established in 1988
- American dance music groups
- Hip-hop groups from Georgia (U.S. state)
- Progressive rappers
- Chrysalis Records artists
- Avex Group artists
- Grammy Award winners for rap music
- Musical groups from Atlanta
- Alternative hip-hop groups
- 1988 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)