Arrested Development's enduring love affair with Australia continues with a trip to WOMADelaide, where the group's impact on hip hop and their unique approach to music will be celebrated. Every era of hip hop has its key figures, and Arrested Development, with their 1992 debut '3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of…', brought a groundbreaking, Afrocentric style to the genre. Their soulful, positive messages on unity, feminism, and housing security set them apart from the hard-edge gangsta rap of the time, and their influence helped pave the way for acts like Fugees, The Roots, and Common.
The group's multimillion-selling success and critical acclaim may not always be recognized, but their impact should not be understated. Their music has resonated deeply with audiences, and their love affair with Australia began in 1993, shortly after they became the first hip hop act to win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. On that tour, they played massive shows around the country, igniting a passion that continues to this day.
Australia and Europe remain key markets for the group, and their leader and founding member, Todd Thomas (aka Speech), believes it's due to a deeper appreciation for their music in these regions. "The US has a bad habit of creating amazing things and then losing interest," he says. "That's been a tradition since the jazz greats and soul music greats. In Europe, there are soul music festivals; we don't have those a lot in the US. There's just a deeper appreciation in Europe, Australia, Japan, and other places in Asia, too."
This appreciation has kept the group coming back to Australia, where they have hosted the most shows outside of their home country. This week, they return for WOMADelaide, a festival that perfectly aligns with their ethos. "The purpose of it is right down our alley," Speech says. "It's exactly what we believe in as a group. The world is meant for each other. People in different parts of the world are meant to interact, learn, and grow from each other. That's what Arrested Development has been about since we first came out."
Arrested Development's ability to infuse education into music without sacrificing its appeal makes them a potent force. "Music is one of the most enjoyable and expansive ways to learn," Speech says. "About people, about how common we all are, but also the differences that are beautiful and to be celebrated. Music opens our hearts and minds in ways that are unique and special."
This month, the group will perform all their hits, including 'Mr. Wendell', 'People Everyday', and 'Tennessee'. But Arrested Development remains an active concern, releasing their 16th album, 'Adult Contemporary Hip Hop', last year. The record is a testament to Speech's command on the mic and the strength of his continued custodianship of the band and what they represent. "For me, it makes a lot of sense for where hip hop is right now," he explains. "Some hip hop lovers are 18 years old and only know the last 18 years. Me, I've known it since it came out — I'm 57. There's a whole other perspective the music used to have that I'm familiar with, and a whole other perspective on life that I have."
Speech is aware that his work has little in common with the music of artists like Travis Scott, Future, or Playboi Carti. And he wants people to embrace the fact that hip hop is broader than what they see at the Grammys. "There needs to be more subgenres within hip hop to explain how diverse this music is and how talented certain members are. We're trying to help that movement happen so there can be more than just one hip hop category in award shows."
That broader view of hip hop also shapes how the band operates right now. Speech founded the group in the early 90s with DJ Headliner, and has remained the band's leader ever since, no matter who else is onboard. "Arrested Development has an open-door policy," he says. This time around, everyone is ready and willing to make the trek to Australia. But if they weren't, it wouldn't be an issue. "It's the same members as last time," Speech confirms about their line-up for WOMADelaide. "But sometimes we infuse older members or new members. If someone doesn't want to tour, they tell me, and we bring in others. It works for us. There's love and respect for all the members — 20 total. For this tour, it's eight members, a live band, samples, and turntables. High energy."
Arrested Development plays WOMADelaide on Monday.
