As one of the major success stories of the nineties, Arrested Development is a grammy award winning musical group whose songs are collective of soul, blues, hip-hop, funk with political, socially conscious lyrics. The group was founded by rapper and lead in the group Speech and DJ Headliner. From hit songs "Tennesse" to "Everyday People" Arrested Development paved the way for artists and everyday people to have a voice in a more positive light. With their new album "Strong", Arrested Development continues on the same path bringing positivity, awareness and celebration.
The name came from a friend who named his punk band that. They soon broke up and he let me use it for something I wanted to start. I liked the rebellious nature of the term. We started really as DJ duo, me and headliner would go do gigs, and invite a bunch of guest artists on stage to express in anyway from African drums, art to African dance.
The song is very personal. My most favorite grandma had unexpectedly died and my whole family went to Tennessee to celebrate her life, a week later my only blood brother at 29 years old, also died of an unexpected asthma attack! I felt like my life was crashing around me, like Job in the bible! The last place I saw both of them was in Tennessee (thus the title of the song). It's really a prayer to God, praying for clarity and comfort.
There's simply a need. Even through all these years, I feel like we haven't been replaced, and no one attacks the perspective we attack. What we bring to the table is important to include in the mainstream landscape of music. And as you notice without us, there's hardly anyone speaking on any issues despite so much going on in the world right now.
We've always wanted to do music that had integrity; that speaks to the people, moves the soul of the people, ignite the people. Our passion for what we do and our love for the music/ performing is what keeps us pushing forward. Also, knowing that our message needs to be heard throughout the world…we have so much inside of us that needs to come out.
Success magnifies what ever you already are in general. However, success also can make you simplify something that's not supposed to be simple. When we're traveling so fast and so busy, it's sometimes hard to sit on a concept and make it truly special. It's easier to simply go with what's more convenient. You notice there's been no "Behind the music" documentary done on us yet. I think it's because we actually lived out what we talked about in our songs and it's benefitted. No drug overdoses, murders, spend a lot of time talking to troubled youth, charity shows and giving to causes monetarily... that's super sexy, but it's not known as such! Again, another reason we gotta keep "preaching". :-)
I feel that my artistic integrity has increased since the success. For me because we/I have a voice it has made me be that more conscious of what I attach my name to and sing about.
The best times in hip-hop music was clearly when it was the most diverse. The late eighties and early nineties is known as the golden era, because you had Public Enemy all the way to 2 live crew doing well on the charts. I remember I saw a concert with Hammer, P.E. and 2 live crew all on the same bill. Diversity was expected and honored. Today it's totally one-sided. Even "conscious" artists are afraid to say they're conscious because the atmosphere is so "cookie cutter," that it damages their promotion and record sales. I actually think it's corporate brainwashing that has killed the spirit of hip-hop artistry. Nowadays everyone wants to become "moguls" & C.E.O's instead of artist's who are simply successful. We as African Americans have had a horrible brainwashing on us that has made us think everything of European decent do better. Thus we want what they have, even if many of them got it from oppressing us! An amazing read is Tom Burrell's book "Brainwashed," it explains how I've felt about all this stuff; the best of any thing I've ever read or heard before.
It goes hand in hand. Most artist/celebs set the trend in fashion from the clothes to their hair. As an artist your style of dress reflects a lot about who you are. We have the freedom to create our own style and make it fashionable. Our music is a reflection of who we are where may be in our life and so is your fashion.
Foreign artists are more world thinkers; they see the world as one because they're surrounded by so many various cultures and nations. U.S. has generally thought it's all about us, because we only have our other states surrounding us.
Everyone who's a true artist loves music! We speak the same emotional language.
I think that people in the States love our music, the message… they just don't know it's available. Overseas there is such a balance in music...you'll hear Earth, Wind & Fire to Outkast on the same station. The people overseas are open to receive great music. We have been programmed to listen to one type of music here...especially on urban radio. We need balance. You have a hard time finding that in mainstream radio in America. People are thirsting for good music all over the globe.
We do quite well everywhere as far as shows are concerned. But I do think overseas audiences are less brainwashed than we are here. Most Americans have really drank the "Kool-Aid" that the consumer culture really is happiness. We've been so bombarded that it's really sank into most of us here. Our neighbors overseas have other views on what brings true happiness. They take long breaks for lunch; people believe in having friends over for tea, just to talk, they believe in maintaining traditions, dignity and respect. We're more a "what's new" culture. I have to have something new all the time. Old is bad! ;-)
I love all types of music...we're really an eclectic group. We all have many different musical tastes. From world music to classical, country, r&b, funk, hip hop, jazz, house, rock, blues, etc. I would love to stretch my musical talent and do some music that people wouldn't expect from me.
With every album, we're trying to cover new ground, so yeah, by the time we retire; we'll probably have touched on everything! ;-) We've done blues, jazz, soul, funk, African all mixed with beats and hip-hop spirit.
Love life! It's worth it. You're worth it. I'm worth it.
We do what you call Life Music and speak about real life issues. Things that are going on in our personal lives, around us, within us, in our own backyards. We also, look at the state of the world, our community and that's inspiring.
This album is extremely emotional. I really wish all people could be on top of all the albums we've released over the past 10 years, cuz we've constantly expressed our feelings about all of the changes that have been happening within the African Diaspora. Our love of Hip-hop has gone through heartbreak or even a death. And like the death of a loved one, you go through certain stages of grief. I think the STRONG is the last stage! Acceptance.
I really don't have favorite. I like lots of songs from" La, La, La' cause it makes me dance, " Bloody" because of the message and it ROCKS when we perform it, "We Rad" for the vibe of the song, "Greener" because we need to show that we care about Mother Earth, "To Much Woman For Ya" because I'm a lot of woman , "Freedom"...for the message and I think that should be the anthem song for Black History month. "Freedom" is a song that should be adopted in every elementary school classroom because it's loaded with facts about our history.
I like the whole project. It's filled with Bi-polar feelings. Happy, sad, mad and happy again! ;-) LOL. Right now my fav is "Bloody".
My mom and dad were always activists and "Doers" not just talkers. It's in our blood.
The love for others and the desire to want to give back. Someone gave to me/us so why be selfish. I've worked with several organizations over the years that were geared towards working with the youth. I've taught dance, life skills, nutrition, money, etc. I love giving back whether it is monetarily or the sharing the gift that God gave me.
Sexy, intelligent, fly, black, and ancestral.
Sexy, Fly, Beautiful, Gorgeous, Fashion Forward, Tradition with a twist, Colorful, Trendsetters, Regal & Elegance. I can keep going! I love AfroStyle!! :-)
That we make great music that pioneered a movement and changed the face of hip hop music. Classic, timeless music...Again. LIFE MUSIC is what we call it. A group that never compromised our music for a quick buck.
That's for the people to decide. I've long ago stopped guessing what people will do, I've always been wrong. LOL
More touring! We're going to Europe, Canada, Japan, East coast (North America), Africa, etc. Continue promoting this new album, STRONG. We all have our hands in many things... so you may find us anywhere! :-)
About to go do a show tonight at Candler park in ATL (our home town as a group), there's supposed to be 20,000 fans waiting for us! My mind is on one day at a time. My spirit, however, dreams of living my best life!
Ngoma I. Moghalu
Photos by D. Nelson & AD