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 rise of gangsta rap, 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 Voices Pazz & Jop Critics' Poll and reportedly 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 Voices 1992 Pazz and Jop Critic's Poll and in The Wires 1992 Critic's choice. 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.

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.

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. Today, Aerle is a poet and converted from Buddhism to Christianity. DJ Headliner started his own business named Creative Royalty Group.

In November 2003, the group sued the Fox network over the name of the TV show Arrested Development. The suit is referenced in the Arrested Development episodes "Public Relations", "Motherboy XXX", "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, 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.

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. On October 14, 2010, Baba Oje had a stroke.

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. 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 an orphanage in Soweto, then paid homage to Nelson Mandela at his home.

In January 2018, Arrested Development performed on the Trumpet Awards television show. In 2018, 16 Bars, a documentary that follows prison inmates as they undertake musical projects, was made.

Baba Oje died of leukemia on October 26, 2018. His age was reported to be 86 or 87. In October 2018, Speech released The Nigga Factory, a three-part docuseries exploring themes of racism and Afrocentrism. Later that year, they also released the album Craft & Optics.

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.

On December 11, 2023, the group released the song Hip Hop Saves Lives featuring Chuck D & Grandmaster Caz. The record was produced by Configa.

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

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 US R&B AUS GER NED NZ SWE UK 1992 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of... Label: Chrysalis 7 3 4 32 30 6 48 3 RIAA: 4× Platinum ARIA: Platinum BPI: Platinum MC: 2× Platinum 1993 Unplugged Label: Chrysalis 60 38 18 — — 26 — 40 RIAA: Gold 1994 Zingalamaduni Label: Chrysalis 55 20 34 34 54 — 31 16 BPI: Silver 2000 Da Feelin' EP Label: EMI — — — — — — — — 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 Label: Cutting Edge — — — — — — — — 2012 Standing at the Crossroads Label: Vagabond Productions — — — — — — — — 2016 Changing the Narrative Label: Vagabond Productions — — — — — — — — 2016 This Was Never Home Label: Vagabond Productions — — — — — — — — 2018 Craft & Optics Label: Vagabond Productions — — — — — — — — 2020 Don't Fight Your Demons Label: Vagabond Productions — — — — — — — — 2021 For the Fkn Love Label: Vagabond Productions — — — — — — — — 2024 Bullets In The Chamber Label: Vagabond Productions — — — — — — — — 2025 Adult Contemporary Hip Hop Label: Vagabond Productions — — — — — — — —

Compilations 1998: Best of Arrested Development 2001: Greatest Hits

Singles Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications AlbumUSUS Hip-HopUS DanceAUSAustralian (ARIA) chart peaks: Top 50 peaks: Top 100 peaks to December 2010: FRAGERGerman chart peaks: "Tennessee": "Mr. Wendal/Revolution": 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life of...: Zingalamaduni: Among the Trees: NEDNZSWEUK1992"Tennessee" 6 1 34 14 — 27 34 12 24 18 RIAA: Gold 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of..."People Everyday" 8 2 6 6 6 — 20 6 27 2 RIAA: Gold ARIA: Gold BPI: Silver"Mr. Wendal" 6 6 1 7 30 31 42 2 — 4 RIAA: Gold ARIA: Gold"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 Crossroads2016"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

Grammy Awards

Year Nominated work Award Result1993 Arrested Development Best New Artist 1993 "Tennessee" Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group 1993 "People Everyday" Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group 1994 "Revolution" Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group 1995 "Ease My Mind" Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group

MTV Video Music Awards Year Nominated work Award Result1992 "Tennessee" Best Rap Video 1992 Arrested Development Best New Artist in a Video 1993 "People Everyday" Best Rap Video 1993 "Revolution" Best Video From a Film

American Music Awards Year Nominated work Award Result1993 Arrested Development Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist 1993 Arrested Development Favorite R&B/Soul New Artist 1993 Arrested Development Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop New Artist 1994 Arrested Development Favorite R&B/Soul Band, Duo, or Group 1994 Arrested Development Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist

Soul Train Music Awards Year Nominated work Award Result1993 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of... Best R&B/Soul Album – Group, Band, or Duo 1993 "Tennessee" Best R&B/Soul Single – Group, Band, or Duo 1993 "Tennessee" Song of the Year 1993 "People Everyday" Best Music Video 1993 Arrested Development Best New R&B/Soul Artist 1993 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of... Best Rap Album 1994 "Mr. Wendal" Best R&B Music Video 1994 Unplugged Best Rap Album

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

Arrested Development Japan Aerle Taree Radio Interview. Dec 2006 – 3SYN 90.7FM Melbourne, Australia Arrested Development video interview at allaboutjazz.com