Arrested Development (group)

Arrested Development is an American hip hop group that formed in Atlanta in 1988. It was founded by Speech and Headliner as a positive, Afrocentric alternative to the gangsta rap popular in the late 1980s. Baba Oje and frontman Speech met at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee when they were both students. Baba Oje was 57 years old at the time.

Arrested Development
2018 Arrested Development Promo picture
Background information
OriginAtlanta, Georgia, United States
GenresHip hop
Years active1988–1996, 2000–present
LabelsVagabond Records & Tapes
Websitewww.arresteddevelopmentmusic.com
MembersSpeech
One Love
Jason "JJ Boogie" Reichert
Tasha Larae
Fareedah Aleem
Past membersHeadliner
Kamaal Malak
Montsho Eshe
Astrid Maure
Nyasa Sullivan
Aerle Taree
Ajile
Kwesi Asuo
Nadirah Shakoor
Foley
Rasa Don
Baba Oje (deceased)
Nicha Hilliard
Isaiah "Zā" Williams
Dionne Farris

History

Arrested Development was formed in 1988 by rapper and producer Todd Thomas ("Speech") and turntablist Timothy Barnwell (known as Headliner). The group's debut album 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of... was the number-one album in the Village Voice's 1992 Pazz and Jop Critic's Poll[1] and in The Wire's 1992 Critic's choice.[2] The group won two Grammy Awards in 1993 for Best New Artist, making them the first hip hop artist to win this award and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, and were named Band of the Year by Rolling Stone. The debut album sold over 6 million copies worldwide.

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 oldies-dominated soundtrack for the film as well as the second half of its closing credits when the film was released in 1992.

Their 1994 follow-up Zingalamaduni sold poorly, and they broke up shortly after in 1996. The group reunited in 2000, touring and releasing records via Speech's Vagabond Productions, but Aerle Taree did not return due to vocal problems.[3] Today Aerle is a poet and converted from Buddhism to Christianity.[4] DJ Headliner started his own business named Creative Royalty Group.[5] On October 14, 2010, Baba Oje had a stroke.[6]

In November 2003, the group sued the Fox network over the name of the TV show Arrested Development.[7] The suit is referenced in the Arrested Development episodes "Public Relations", "Motherboy XXX",[8] "Sword of Destiny", and "For British Eyes Only".

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.

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.

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. Also in 2008, Arrested Development visited and sang with Debbie Peagler,[9] 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.

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.[10]

On January 8, 2011, they with Emmylou Harris performed 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.[11] The same month, they announced a new tour throughout the United States and Australia to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

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 a orphanage Soweto, then paid homage to Nelson Mandela at the location of his home.

In January 2018, Arrested Development performed on the Trumpet Awards television show.[12]

Baba Oje died of leukemia on October 26, 2018. His age was reported to be 86–87.[13][14]

In October of 2018, Speech released The Nigga Factory, a three-part docuseries exploring themes of racism and Afrocentrism. [15] Later that year, they also released the album Craft & Optics.[16]

In 2018, 16 Bars,[17] a documentary that follows prison inmates as they undertake musical projects, was made.[18]

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.[19]

Personnel

Live in 2018

Members

  • Speech - Lead vocals, producer (1988–1996, 2000–present)
  • Jason "JJ Boogie" Reichert - Guitarist, mix engineer & producer (2000–present)
  • One Love - Vocals (2001–present)
  • Fareedah Aleem - Vocals, dance & choreography (2004-present)
  • Tasha Larae - Vocals (2008–present)

Former Members

Baba Oje onstage in 2009
  • Headliner - Turntables (1988–1996)
  • Baba Oje - Spiritual elder (1990–1996, 2000–2018; his death)
  • Montsho Eshe - Dancer, choreographer, vocals (1990–1996, 2000–2012)
  • Rasa Don - Drums, vocals (1990-1996, 2000–2006)
  • Aerle Taree - Vocals, stylist (1990–1996)
  • Foley - Bass (1994–1996)
  • Kamaal Malak - Bass (1994-1996)
  • Ajile - Vocals (1994–1995)
  • Kwesi Asuo - Vocals (1994–1996)
  • Nadirah Shakoor - Vocals (1994–1996)
  • Isaiah 'Za' Williams III - Bass (1996, 2000–2018)
  • Nicha Hilliard - Vocals, dancer (1996, 2000–2008)
  • Dionne Farris - Vocals (1992)

Discography

Albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certification
US
[20]
US R&B
[21]
AUS
[22]
GER
[23]
NED
[24]
NZ
[25]
SWE
[25]
UK
[26]
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
  • Label: Chrysalis
55 20 34 34 54 31 16
2000 Da Feelin' EP
2001 Heroes of the Harvest
  • Label: Vagabond Productions
2003 Extended Revolution
  • Label: Stateside Records
2004 Among the Trees
  • Label: Vagabond Productions
98
2006 Since the Last Time
  • Label: Vagabond Productions
2010 Strong[31]
2012 Standing at the Crossroads[11]
  • Label: Vagabond Productions[32]
2016 Changing the Narrative[33]
  • Label: Vagabond Productions
2016 This Was Never Home[34]
  • Label: Vagabond Productions
2018 Craft & Optics
  • Label: Vagabond Productions
2020 Don't Fight Your Demons
  • Label: Vagabond Productions

Compilations

  • 1998: Best of Arrested Development
  • 2001: Greatest Hits

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[35]
US Hip-Hop
[36]
US Dance
[37]
AUS
[22]
FRA
[38]
GER
[23]
NED
[24]
NZ
[25]
SWE
[39]
UK
[26]
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
2020 "Becoming" (with Configa) Don't Fight Your Demons

See also

References

  1. "Robert Christgau: Pazz & Jop 1992: Critics Poll". Robertchristgau.com. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  2. "The Wire 30 records of 1992". Discogs.com. 1993-01-01. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  3. "13 years later, Arrested Development returns". Today.com. October 30, 2007. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  4. Peluso, Artesia (July 15, 2009). "Speakeasy with poet Aerle Taree". Creative Loafing Atlanta. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  5. Carmichael, Rodney (February 4, 2016). "Headliner's Revival: Arrested Development co-founder speaks his peace after 20 years". Archived from the original on April 21, 2017. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  6. "Oldest Man In Hip-hop - Baba Oje Of Arrested Development Has Been Hospitalized". Top40-Charts.com. October 18, 2010. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  7. Kaplan, Don (November 7, 2003). "Arrested Development is Back and Suing". New York Post. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  8. Mallon, Matthew (October 6, 2010). "Name Games: Arrested Development vs. Arrested Development". Minyanville. Archived from the original on October 9, 2010. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  9. Smith, Nigel M. (June 30, 2011). "IN HIS OWN WORDS | Yoav Potash Shares a Scene from "Crime After Crime"". Indiewire.com.
  10. "Greener". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
  11. "Arrested Development » Standing At The Crossroads - 13 FREE Songs". Arresteddevelopmentmusic.com. Archived from the original on 2012-08-14. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
  12. "Home". Trumpet Awards. Retrieved Aug 24, 2020.
  13. "Arrested Development Member Baba Oje Has Died at Age 87". Essence.com. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  14. "Baba Oje, Arrested Development's Spiritual Guru, Dead at 86". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
  15. "The word from Speech: Arrested Development still growing". Tahoe Onstage | Lake Tahoe music concerts and sports. 2020-02-27. Retrieved 2020-05-02.
  16. "Craft & Optics — ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT". Arresteddevelopmentmusic.com. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  17. "16 BARS". 16 BARS. Retrieved Aug 24, 2020.
  18. Kenigsberg, Ben (Nov 7, 2019). "'16 Bars' Review: Inmates Find the Beat". Retrieved Aug 24, 2020 via NYTimes.com.
  19. "Black Music Honors | African American Music". Blackmusichonors.com. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  20. Arrested Development - Chart history. Billboard. Retrieved on 2014-04-24.
  21. Arrested Development - Chart history. Billboard. Retrieved on 2014-04-24.
  22. Australian (ARIA) chart peaks:
  23. German chart peaks:
  24. "dutchcharts.nl > Arrested Development in Dutch Charts" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  25. "charts.nz > Arrested Development in New Zealand Charts". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  26. "Official Charts > Arrested Development". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  27. "1993 ARIA Albums Chart". ARIA. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  28. "Gold & Platinum searchable database". Musiccanada.com. Archived from the original on 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  29. "Gold & Platinum searchable database". RIAA.com. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  30. "Certified Awards". BPI.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  31. "STRONG : Arrested Development : avex network". Avexnet.jp. Archived from the original on 2012-02-25. Retrieved 2012-01-03.
  32. "Arrested Development - Standing At The Crossroads (Album Review)". Thewordisbond.com. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
  33. Pace, Brian (February 2016). "The Pace Report: "Narrative Homeward" The Arrested Development Interview". Vimeo.com. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
  34. Johnson, Victoria. "Arrested Development's Speech On New Album, Kendrick Lamar and Black Lives Matter [INTERVIEW]". Theboombox.com. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
  35. "Billboard > Artists / Arrested Development > Chart History > The Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  36. "Billboard > Artists / Arrested Development > Chart History > Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  37. "Billboard > Artists / Arrested Development > Chart History > Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  38. "lescharts.com > Arrested Development dans les Charts Français" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  39. "swedishcharts.com > Arrested Development in Swedish Charts". Hung Medien. Retrieved 2017-03-23.
  40. "Gold & Platinum: Arrested Development". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
  41. "BPI Awards - bpi" (To access, enter the search parameter "Arrested Development" and select "Search by Keyword"). British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Marc Cohn
Grammy Award for Best New Artist
1993
Succeeded by
Toni Braxton
Preceded by
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince
Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
1993
Succeeded by
Digable Planets
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