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Baba Oje is the group's spiritual elder. He and Speech met at the [[University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee]] when they were both students. Baba Oje was 57 years old at the time.
Baba Oje is the group's spiritual elder. He and Speech met at the [[University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee]] when they were both students. Baba Oje was 57 years old at the time.


In November 2003, the group sued the [[Fox network]] over the name of the TV show ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367279/news|title=News for "Arrested Development" (2003)|publisher=IMDb.com|accessdate=2014-04-24}} </ref> The suit is referenced in the ''Arrested Development'' episodes "[[Public Relations (Arrested Development episode)|Public Relations]]", "[[Motherboy XXX]]" and "[[For British Eyes Only]]".
In November 2003, the group sued the [[Fox network]] over the name of the TV show ''[[Arrested Development (TV series)|Arrested Development]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0071235/|title=Arrested Development Sue Fox|publisher=IMDb.com|accessdate=2014-12-08}} </ref> The suit is referenced in the ''Arrested Development'' episodes "[[Public Relations (Arrested Development episode)|Public Relations]]", "[[Motherboy XXX]]" and "[[For British Eyes Only]]".


In June 2005, the group won the first round of [[NBC]]'s television series contest ''[[Hit Me, Baby, One More Time]]'', performing "Tennessee" and covering [[Los Lonely Boys]]' "Heaven". They gave the proceeds ($20,000) to [[UNICEF]].
In June 2005, the group won the first round of [[NBC]]'s television series contest ''[[Hit Me, Baby, One More Time]]'', performing "Tennessee" and covering [[Los Lonely Boys]]' "Heaven". They gave the proceeds ($20,000) to [[UNICEF]].

Revision as of 19:40, 8 December 2014

Arrested Development
Performing live in Belgium in 2006
Performing live in Belgium in 2006
Background information
OriginAtlanta, Georgia, United States
GenresAlternative hip hop
Years active1988–1996, 2000–present
LabelsChrysalis/EMI Records/Vagabond Productions/Stateside Records/cutting edge
MembersSpeech
Montsho Eshe
One Love
Tasha Larae
Rasadon (aka Don Norris)
Baba Oje
JJ Boogie
Za
Past membersHeadliner
Aerle Taree
Dionne Farris
Websitearresteddevelopmentmusic.com

Arrested Development is an American alternative hip hop group, founded by Speech and his then best friend Headliner as a positive, Afrocentric alternative to the gangsta rap popular in the early 1990s.

History

The group won two Grammy Awards in 1993 for Best New Artist and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, and were also named Band of the Year by Rolling Stone magazine. 3 Years, 5 Months & 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]

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, which did well with some critics, but was panned by others,[who?] sold poorly. After the group broke up due to "creative differences" in 1996, Speech released a solo album; sales were poor in the United States but better in Japan. The group reunited in 2000 and has been touring and releasing records via Speech's Vagabond Productions and Speech Music. While Arrested Development has struggled to regain a following in the United States, they have met consistent success in Japan.[citation needed] Aerle Taree didn't return to Arrested Development because of vocal problems and DJ Headliner refused to rejoin the band due to bad blood over business differences.[3] Today Aerle is a poet and she's converted from Buddhism to Christianity.[4] In 2010 Baba Oje had a stroke.[5]

The female vocalist on "Tennessee", Dionne Farris, released a successful solo album in 1994, Wild Seed-Wild Flower. The album spawned the hit single "I Know".

Baba Oje is the group's spiritual elder. He and Speech met at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee when they were both students. Baba Oje was 57 years old at the time.

In November 2003, the group sued the Fox network over the name of the TV show Arrested Development.[6] The suit is referenced in the Arrested Development episodes "Public Relations", "Motherboy XXX" and "For British Eyes Only".

In June 2005, the group won the first round of NBC's television series contest Hit Me, Baby, One More Time, performing "Tennessee" and covering Los Lonely Boys' "Heaven". They gave the proceeds ($20,000) to UNICEF.

The group's follow-up to their 2004 Among The Trees was Since The Last Time, released internationally (not in the U.S.) on September 18, 2006. Since The Last Time was later 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.

On January 8, 2011, they performed in the festival first night for the Sydney Festival in Sydney, Australia. 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 ten hit with the single "The World is Changing" in Japan. 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.[7]

In August 2012, the group released its 10th 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.[8] The same month they announced a new tour throughout the United States and Australia to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

Discography

Albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions Certification
UK
[9]
US
[10]
US R&B
[11]
1992 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... 3 7 3
1993 Unplugged 40 60 38
1994 Zingalamaduni 16 55 20
2000 Da Feelin' EP
2002 Heroes of the Harvest
  • Label: Vagabond Productions
2003 Extended Revolution
2004 Among The Trees
  • Label: Vagabond Productions
2006 Since The Last Time
  • Label: Vagabond Productions
2010 Strong[14]
2012 Standing At The Crossroads[8]
  • Label: Vagabond Productions[15]

Speech solo

Singles

Year Single US US Hip-Hop US Dance AUS FRA NED NZ SWE UK Album
1992 "Tennessee" 6 1 34 14 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 42 2 4
"Revolution" 90 49 Malcolm X (Music From The Motion Picture Soundtrack)
1993 "Natural" 90 - 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"[16] Da Feelin' EP
"Hit The Road Jack"[17] Heroes Of The Harvest
2004 "Honeymoon Day" Among The Trees
2006 "Down & Dirty (Clap Your Hands)" Since The Last Time
"Miracles"[18]
2010 "The World Is Changing" Strong
2011 "Living"[19] Standing At The Crossroads

See also

References

  1. ^ "Robertchristgau.com". Robertchristgau.com. 1993-03-02. Retrieved 2012-07-28.
  2. ^ "The Wire 30 records of 1992". Discogs.com. 1993-01-01. Retrieved 2014-07-17.
  3. ^ [1][dead link]
  4. ^ Alexander, Andrew. (2009-07-15) Speakeasy with poet Aerle Taree | Speakeasy with ... | Creative Loafing Atlanta. Clatl.com. Retrieved on 2014-04-24.
  5. ^ [2] [dead link]
  6. ^ "Arrested Development Sue Fox". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2014-12-08.
  7. ^ "Greener". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
  8. ^ a b "Arrested Development » Standing At The Crossroads - 13 FREE Songs". arresteddevelopmentmusic.com. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
  9. ^ "Arrested Development | Artist". Official Charts. Retrieved 2012-01-03.
  10. ^ Arrested Development - Chart history. Billboard. Retrieved on 2014-04-24.
  11. ^ Arrested Development - Chart history. Billboard. Retrieved on 2014-04-24.
  12. ^ a b "Gold & Platinum searchable database". RIAA.com. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  13. ^ a b "Certified Awards". BPI.co.uk. Retrieved 2014-10-05.
  14. ^ "STRONG : Arrested Development : avex network". Avexnet.jp. Retrieved 2012-01-03.
  15. ^ "Arrested Development - Standing At The Crossroads (Album Review)". thewordisbond.com. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
  16. ^ "Eil.com". Eil.com. Retrieved 2012-07-28.
  17. ^ "Musicstack.com". Musicstack.com. Retrieved 2012-07-28.
  18. ^ "Musicstack.com". Musicstack.com. Retrieved 2012-07-28.
  19. ^ [3][dead link]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Grammy Award for Best New Artist
1993
Succeeded by
Preceded by Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
1993
Succeeded by