ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
It’s been 20 years since Arrested Development topped the charts with its debut single “Tennessee,” from 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of… . AD stood in the vanguard of conscious Southern hip-hop, talking about a different kind of revolution: Frontman Speech rapped about poor blacks and whites bum-rushing the system and in the next breath, baby sitting so a single mom could go out and attack the dance floor. The supergroup (at one time, there were close to a dozen dancers, singers, another rapper and a spiritual adviser in the group) won a couple of Grammys, but as gangsta rap took over mainstream hip-hop, AD’s popularity waned. The group has continued to make music, maturing strong harmonies and sharp lyricism, and is marking the album’s anniversary with a national tour. Besides classics like “Mr. Wendal” and “People Everyday,” expect to hear material from the group’s new album Standing at the Crossroads, available now as a free download. Let’s hope that next time, Speech and company don’t make us wait so long. $20-$23. Sept. 22, 8 p.m. Amos’ Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St. 704-377-6874.
This article appears in Sep 19-25, 2012.
