Back in 1992, the influential hip-hop group Arrested Development sang, "Take me to another place, take me to another land," on the hit 'Tennessee." Who would have thought that the group would have actually gone to such a far-off land (that land being Japan and the land of obscurity)? Not until now, actually: after 12 years of not releasing any material in the U.S., the group has decided to release Since The Last Time in the U.S. October 30. Since The Last Time was released back in September 18, 2006, but not in the U.S.
So, in case you were wondering, who is Arrested Development?
Arrested Development was founded by Speech and Headline as a positive hip-hop alternative to gangsta rap. Besides being politically driven, the group was also known for having their song 'Revolution" in the Spike Lee film Malcolm X. After breaking up in 1996, the group got back together in 2000 and to my amazement created a loyal fan base in Japan.
The group made a U.S. fuss in 2003 by suing the FOX Network and the fictional characters of the sitcom Arrested Development. The lawsuit was even referenced in the episode "Motherboy XXX," and has become a conspiracy theory to the show's cancellation.
Lately, the group has been resurfacing their live act, performing recently at an unprecedented gig in Jerusalem alongside the Black Eyed Peas. Yes, Fergie was in Jerusalem. Also other spectacular ("shitacular?") groups like Gym Class Heroes have been citing Arrested Development as an influence. Hell, even the group frontman Speech contributed guest vocals to the song "Biter's Block."
The group returns at a time when rap in general has been under fire by the media. Even "gettin' paid and laid" rappers, like Chamillionaire, have purposely cleaned up their act to dissipate the dreaded "Parental Advisory" sticker from their albums.
Arrested Development's album Since The Last Time will include 12 new tracks, with "Miracles" as the first single. Additionally, a special mix tape will be available October 30 on Vagabond Record & Tapes. The mix will feature 18 classic and unreleased AD songs, as well as some collaborations with Gym Class Heroes (gasp!), TY, DJ Hasabe, and Braille.
So, all you hip-hop heads out there better get ready to be uplifted. Positive messages may not always equal positive beats, but now it may be possible for children to learn that they can do more with their lives (and sexual organs) than skeet, skeet, skeet. And what do Chamillionaire and Will Smith think about the return of Arrested Development?
They said, "Fuck the shut up."
I think they meant to say, "Shut the fuck up," but they were both drunk and performing coitus interruptus. Go figure.
Arrested Development should have tourdates sooner than you can say "Fergaliciouspeepants."
Since The Last Time tracklist:
