Arrested Development: 2026 Summer Concert Series Hartwood Acres Amphitheater

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT Speaks thru music to the world. Speech one of the vocalist for this collective says, "people have been through so much turmoil and strife. We get on stage every night with the mission to broaden the perspectives and give inspiration to rise up." Unsurprisingly, then, the Grammy award winning group Arrested Development has been devoted to nudging folks in the direction of freedom and spiritual evolution for over 23 years. The group describes their sound as "Life Music." A.D. respects women, and promotes family, spirituality and "male responsibility." They are dancers, vocalists, turntableist, and drummers. Arrested Development is a communal music force. Current members are: Speech, 1 Love, JJ Boogie, Za, Tasha LaRae & Fareedah Aleem. Former members are: Montsho Eshe, Rasa Don, Aerle Taree, Baba Oje, Ajile Axam, Dj Kemit, Nadirah Shakoor & Nicha Hillard. Others that have contributed to AD's kaleidoscope of sound are: Dionne Farris, Laurnea, Paulette, & Muwakana. AD's debut album 3 years, 5 months and 2 days in the life of...(EMI) referred to the amount of time passed between the start of the group and the signing of their first record deal. Singles like "Tennessee", is an open letter to God, which, not unlike Billie Holidays "Strange Fruit," gives new meaning to the term "Family tree." The song won an MTV music award for best rap single 1992. "People Everyday" another of their hits is a super funky treatment of the immortal Sly Stone anthem "Everyday People", also won them an MTV video award for best music video 1992. "Mr. Wendal" humanizes the "bums" on our streets. AD donated half of all the royalties to the National Coalition for the Homeless. AD has sold over 5 million albums to date. They've won 2 Grammy awards for best new artist and best rap single 1993. They were the first African - American artists to donate money to Nelson Mandela and the ANC in South Africa. AD has collaborated with director Spike Lee, on the Universal motion picture "X