McKay Class Anthology volume 1 | Page 41

Alternative Roots

1992 dates the year of Arrested Development’s debut album and most successful album to date, 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of… Thought of and developed by music artists Speech, Montsho Eshe, Aerle Taree, Rasa Don, Headliner and Tasha LaRae. The album consists of 15 songs in total, but the music group hit mainstream across the world with their hit single “Tennessee” written by Speech in 1991, a year before the album was released. Due to the songs success, Arrested Development were awarded many accommodations, including two Grammy’s, awarded in 1993 for Best new Artists and best rap performance by duo or group. Their success as a top hip-hop force was short lived after the group disbanded due to “creative differences” in 1996, but that did not allow them to stray away from enforcing societal trends that changed and added to the hip hop movement. Many don’t know too much about Arrested development as a hip hop group even though they are responsible for paving the way for the early hip hop movement in America.

“Tennessee”, sampled from Prince’s “Alphabet Street”, was written by Todd Thomas aka Speech, during a very impactful moment in his life and musical career. In 1991 Speech returned home to Tennessee to be with family and friends for the passing of his Grandmother, someone near and dear to him his whole life. During his visit, Speech was faced with another devastating loss when his brother Terry Thomas died that same week. The background to the song shines light on the style in which the song is heard and interpreted. The song is developed in a prayer type style where the Speaker is heard addressing God throughout asking for guidance and advice. This personal and emotional connection Speech has with this song is what lead to its worldwide success. People could feel the desperation and need in the rappers voice as he stresses the lyrics through his use of repetitive Holy and spiritual reference.

This song was also unique because of its alternative music style during a time where gangster hip-hop was more prevalent. During which such rappers including Notorious BIG, Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg were dominating the hip-hop music industry. Arrested development were able to maintain their notoriety and reputation by staying original and mixing in spiritual tones and references to gain a deeper relationship with listeners. Documented in a 2007 interview, Speech speaks about his views on his music and says he wants to “have a new conviction that people should speak what they believe, (especially if it’s about Jesus) so that their beliefs will have an influence on the way popular culture turns and sways”. (Veekens, 1) Kai Fowler

Rap/Hip-Hop HipohfgHop

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