Reggae.hr: What was the key moment for the establishment Arrested Development?
Speech: In 1987. I wanted to start a group with a more afrocentric energy, I hung up a flyer within a arts school and the group started form that action. More and more people started answering my flyer.
Reggae.hr: How did you feel when winning the first Grammy awards?
Speech: It was an unexplainable feeling, my dreams were being answered. It's why to this day, i believe in miracles, i believe in the impossible!
Reggae.hr: Why was the band broke up and what prompted you to re-assemble and proceed with the work?
Speech: The band stopped doing music together in 1995 because we were jaded by the music industry and all of it's trappings, like fame, lawyers and «sharks». We took time off to rasie our little new born babies, tend to our new wives and try to get back the innocence that we lost with all that instaneous fame. In 2000 Eshe (our dancer) called me and asked if i'd be willing to try it again. I was willing, and so we started the process of glueing all the pieces back together.
Reggae.hr: Can you explain to our readers why you have sued Fox network?
Speech: We have trademark on the name Arrested Development and they used it without our permission. This is normal business practice to check if a name is already used and trademarked, our name was. The whole point of a trademark is to ensure that your brand name isn't confused with another businesses brand name. The tv show was very confusing to our fans and vice versa. It actually still is even today, but we've settled out of court long ago.
Reggae.hr: Are times have changed 15 years ago and now for musicians? Is easier to find inspiration for your songs today or 15 years ago?
Speech: Ironically my inspiration is from negativity that I see, I wish I had no more inspiration for Arrested Development type songs. I'd much rather write more simpler type songs, but oppression, hypocrisy and high murder rates in my community keep me writing with more passion that ever.
Reggae.hr: Is it 'healthier' hip hop music today of before, can you compare?
Speech: I think there is some amazing hip hop today, but the exposure is so lop-sided! You hear all the booty oriented songs, but not the conscious stuff. The balance is horrible today! Because of that, the overall hip hop atmophere is VERY unhealthy and destructive! And with the lack of history knowledge within the new generation, they don't have the knowlege to know that they're in danger. Ignorance is bliss.
Reggae.hr: What audience from Zagreb & Rijeka can expect from your shows in Croatia?
Speech: Expect a celebration of life, death and the struggle sof the ancetors befroe you! It's gonna be a HUGE party!
