Arrested Growth Received First Finest New Artist Grammy—& They’re Nonetheless At It
Arrested Growth has returned with a brand new single known as “All I See is Melanin,” the Grammy Award-winning group’s first launch of 2025.
The observe’s arrival is completely timed with Black Historical past Month, one thing Speech tells AllHipHop was necessary to him. The Ben Marc-produced minimize additionally boasts the primary rap verse from Arrested Growth dancer Fareedah.
“Love is aware of no boundaries, and Arrested Growth celebrates the various tapestry of the human race,” Speech inform us. “The group discovered inspiration to jot down the music throughout our current tour with The Roots in nice cities like Boston, Los Angeles and Washington, DC. It was a gorgeous factor to see a bigger Black viewers attending our reveals in comparison with what we’ve usually skilled over the past couple of a long time; ladies with braids, locks and cowrie shells, males with dashikis.
“Whereas we regularly carry out at massive festivals with various audiences, the presence of so many Black attendees this time was profoundly transferring. My lyrics typically converse on to the experiences of Black people, and it was actually particular to look out into the gang and see them connecting with and embracing the phrases on a deeper stage.”
Speech additionally tied the music to the presidential election, noting these are notably difficult occasions for the Black group.
“Given the current election outcomes and the unlucky dismantling of quite a few applications that help the Black group,” he provides, “it turned evident {that a} music honoring our magnificence, resilience and wealthy tradition was wanted.”
Fashioned within the early ’90s, Arrested Growth made an enduring impression on Hip-Hop by bringing a contemporary, Afrocentric and socially acutely aware strategy to a style at a time when gangsta rap was dominating the panorama. Initially primarily based in Atlanta, the group provided another that celebrated Black tradition, spirituality and positivity.
Their debut album, 3 Years, 5 Months and a couple of Days within the Life Of… (1992), broke new floor with its fusion of Hip-Hop, soul and folks influences, producing hits like “Tennessee,” “Individuals On a regular basis” and “Mr. Wendal.”
Arrested Growth’s success was groundbreaking, incomes them two Grammy Awards, together with Finest New Artist—making them the primary Hip-Hop act to win in that class. Their distinctive sound and message helped pave the way in which for socially acutely aware rappers and teams that adopted, influencing artists like The Roots, Widespread, A Tribe Referred to as Quest and Mos Def.
The group additionally helped redefine what Hip-Hop could possibly be, proving that the style wasn’t restricted to aggressive, street-oriented narratives however may additionally function a platform for empowerment and cultural delight. Their emphasis on dwell instrumentation and soulful melodies expanded the style’s sonic prospects, bridging the hole between rap and different Black musical traditions.
“All I See is Melanin” follows the discharge of 2024’s Bullets within the Chamber, which boasts appearances by Ras Kass, Sol Messiah and the late Twan Mack. Take heed to the observe above and stream it right here together with a remix by Configa, an instrumental and a cappella model.
Lead picture: Joe Casimir
Associated
