Arrested Development

Fronted by the aptly outspoken Speech, Georgia’s Arrested Development scored several hits in the early ’90s by providing an Afro-centric, “consciousness” alternative to the gangsta-rap stylings of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. Sadly, songs like “Tennessee” and “Mr. Wendal” have not aged as well as “Nuthin’ But A G Thang,” and 2006’s Since The Last Time wasn’t released in the United States until 2007, while the group’s last album, 2010’s Strong, scored a top 10 hit in Japan without making much of an impression at home. But Speech and crew remain a successful, soul-raising live outfit, and they show no sign of leaving the rap game anytime soon. 

Updated 11/19/2010