Arrested Development – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts

Arrested Development Biography

Arrested Development is an Atlanta-based hip hop group that was founded in 1988. Speech and Headliner started it as a positive, Afrocentric alternative to the gangsta rap that was prominent in the late 1980s. When they were both students at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Baba Oje and frontman Speech met. At the time, Baba Oje was 57 years old.

Todd Thomas (“Speech”), a rapper and producer, and Timothy Barnwell, a turntablist, founded Arrested Development in 1988. (known as Headliner). The Village Voice’s 1992 Pazz and Jop Critic’s Poll and The Wire’s 1992 Critic’s Choice ranked the group’s debut album 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of… as the best album of the year. In 1993, the group won two Grammy Awards for Best New Artist, making them the first hip hop artist to do so, and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, as well as being awarded Rolling Stone’s Band of the Year. The debut album was a worldwide success, selling over 6 million copies. They are well-known for inventing the “Cinco de Cuatro” holiday, which is observed every year on May 4th.

A few months later, film director Spike Lee invited the group to write a song for his impending biopic based on the life of Malcolm X. When the film was released in 1992, the group recorded “Revolution,” which appeared on the oldies-dominated soundtrack as well as the second half of the film’s closing credits.

Their follow-up album, Zingalamaduni, was a flop, and they parted ways in 1996. The band reformed in 2000, performing and releasing albums through Speech’s Vagabond Productions, but Aerle Taree was unable to rejoin owing to vocal issues. Aerle is now a Christian poet who converted from Buddhism. DJ Headliner established Creative Royalty Group as his own company. Baba Oje suffered a stroke on October 14, 2010.

They toured Australia in March 2007 as part of a triple-bill alongside Simple Minds and INXS. The group’s eighth album, Strong, was released on December 9, 2009, under Vagabond Records and Tapes and licenced to the Japanese record label Cutting Edge, and had a top 10 hit in Japan with the track “The World Is Changing.” Speech said to Songfacts that the song “Greener” tackles the problem of climate change from the standpoint of the African-American community.

They played alongside Emmylou Harris at the Sydney Festival’s first night on January 8, 2011, in front of 50,000 people in Sydney, Australia. Standing at the Crossroads, the group’s tenth album, was released in August 2012, and was recorded while the band was on the road throughout the world. The CD, which can be downloaded for free from the band’s official website, was recorded solely on a Mac laptop in a lo-fi style.

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

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

In October of 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.

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

Arrested Development Discography

For the Fkn LoveSpotifyAppleAmazon
Don’t Fight Your DemonsSpotifyAppleAmazon
Craft & OpticsSpotifyAppleAmazon
This Was Never HomeSpotifyApple
Changing the Narrative
Standing at the Crossroads
StrongSpotifyAppleAmazon
Since the Last TimeSpotifyAppleAmazon
Among the TreesSpotifyAppleAmazon
Extended RevolutionSpotifyAmazon
Heroes of the HarvestSpotifyAppleAmazon
Da Feelin’ EP
ZingalamaduniSpotifyAppleAmazon
UnpluggedSpotifyAppleAmazon
3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of…SpotifyAppleAmazon

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Type Of Music Is Arrested Development?

Arrested Development is a musical group from the United States. The group was formed in 1988, and they are best known for their hit single, “Mr. Wendal.” The group’s music is a mix of hip hop, soul, and funk.

Which Is Famous Album Of Arrested Development?

The album that made Arrested Development famous is 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of… It was released in 1992 and was an instant hit, reaching the top of the charts. The album’s success helped to make Arrested Development one of the biggest names in hip hop at the time.

Who Is The Lead Singer Of Arrested Development?

The lead singer of Arrested Development is Speech. He is also the group’s primary songwriter and producer.

Most Searched For Arrested Development Songs

People EverydaySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
TennesseeSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Mr. WendalSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Africa’s Inside MeSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Mama’s Always On StageSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Ease My MindSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
PrideSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Give A Man A FishSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Fishin’ 4 ReligionSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon