Many people will point to Outkast when discussing the origins of Atlanta’s hip-hop scene. Over the years, the city has become a breeding ground for innovative rap music, a trend that continues to this day. While Outkast should be rightfully credited for popularizing the city’s refreshing take on the genre, Atlanta’s music scene was already thriving by the time the rest of the country caught up to it. One of the leaders of Atlanta’s burgeoning scene was Arrested Development, a group that kicked down the doors for Southern Hip-hop.
Arrested Development was formed in 1988 and centered around the chemistry between vocalist/producer Speech and turntable specialist Headliner. The group released their debut album, 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days In The Life Of… on March 24. 1992. The album and the newly formed group that featured a large, rotating cast of members were introduced to the world with critical acclaim and commercial success. Arrested Development won Best New Artist at the 1993 Grammy’s, marking the first time a hip-hop act won this award. That year, the group also took home a Grammy for Best Rap Performance By A Duo or Group. Unfortunately, their hot streak ended after the release of their sophomore album, and the group broke up in 1996.
For this Golden Age Thursday, we look back at Arrested Development in 1993, their most creative and successful period in which they would tour on Lollapalooza with Alice in Chains, Tool, Rage Against The Machine and Primus.
At the same award show where they took home two trophies, Arrested Development put on an uplifting performance of their hit “Everyday People,” which was initially recorded by Sly and The Family Stone in 1968. The theatrical performance shows a young hip-hop group realizing their dreams to the most extreme degree while delivering a powerful message on the biggest stage in music.
