Adult Contemporary Hip Hop
Dropping July 4th | Co-Executive Produced by Speech & Configa
Releasing on Independence Day, Adult Contemporary Hip Hop is both a celebration and a challenge — reflecting on freedom, self-determination, and the contradictions still woven into Black American life.
Dedicated to the late Twan Mack, the album takes its title from a mantra he lived by — and transforms it into a bold, grown, and deeply soulful statement. This marks the fourth consecutive Arrested Development project co-executive produced by Speech and UK boom-bap specialist Configa, continuing a creative partnership that has helped shape the group’s modern resurgence.
This time, the album features very few outside features — the focus being on the AD family: Frontman Speech, 1Love, Tasha LaRae, and Fareedah, with extended kin Ke’Andra and Bee Taylor. Music production is led by Speech and Configa, with additional contributions from MRK SX and Ben Marc.
The album was engineered by Speech, Configa, and JJ Boogie, capturing a cohesive, soulful sound rooted in classic hip-hop aesthetics. Cover artwork was done by Maria Pokrovskaya.
Lyrically rich and sonically grounded, the project explores melanin pride, the world since Trump’s election, mortality, relationships, love, legacy, and bar-for-bar energy — all underpinned by the timeless rhythms of boom-bap.
Adult Contemporary Hip Hop isn’t just a tribute — it’s a continuation. Of family. Of message. Of real hip-hop.
True Hip-hop trailblazers since 1991, Arrested Development has been cultural champions of consciousness and empowerment across the planet. Their representation of eclectic and vibrant African sounds and clothing has produced a unique clash of rhythms and style that continue to contrast the expected look and sound of Hip-hop culture.
Arrested Development have been supporters of important groups and movements like the National Coalition of The Homeless, and the African National Congress (ANC).
With numerous album releases, and world tours, Arrested Development has been ground-breaking in Hip-hop culture. Their album, “3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life of…”, earned them two Grammy awards for Best New Artist and Best Rap Single (Tennessee), 2 MTV awards, a Soul Train Music Award, and the NAACP Image Award. Rolling Stone magazine named them Band of The Year in 1992, while VH-1 named them one of the greatest Hip-hop artists of all time! The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame even named the AD smash “Tennessee” one of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll. Sharing the stage with such important figures such as Nelson Mandela, Minister Louis Farrakhan, Hilary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, AD are the categorical definition of legends.
The band continues their forward march of curating incredible music that is about self reflection and revolution. Their 2024 double album, ‘Bullets in the Chamber’ (http://bit.ly/BITCalbum) was no exception. Featuring legendary artists like: Chuck D, Sky Zoo, Canibus, Diana King, Ras Kass, O'hene Savant, Twan Mack, MRK SX, Do it All Dupree, Grandmaster Caz, Sol Messiah & Sa-Roc. With special features by: Montsho Eshe & Rasa Don.
But now, all that matters for the group is their newest project, “Adult Contemporary Hip-Hop” Executively produced by Speech for Vagabond Productions and Configa for Configaration Records. The singles, “All I See Is Melanin” & “Pack It Out”, released July 4th, is OUT NOW and brings incomparable lyricism, soulful storytelling and cognizant awareness delivered in a fashion only Arrested Development can carry through!
