Arrested Development w/ Brandi & the Alexanders

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!

Brandi and the Alexanders is a psych-rock and soul band from New York City that draws inspiration from R&B Queens like Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan, the subversive funk of Chic, and the experimentation of Marvin Gaye’s solo albums. The band has carved out a reputation for its cosmopolitan soul, driven by its love for an insatiable groove of grit and heart with a dose of attitude. 

Lead singer Brandi Thompson, respected as a powerful vocalist in the classic soul vein of Aretha Franklin, Sharon Jones, and Gloria Gaynor, brings a lively fire that dances inside the Alexanders’ sophisticated and cinematic heartbeat.  Brought together in 2015 first as an 11-piece cover band before hitting the road in 2017 as a quartet, the band has been a ragtag collective of friends and family honing their sound between adventurous sets on tour. Music blog Pop Matters cuts to the chase, “This is music to move to,” referring to their 2022 EP, Reflection.

Blurring genres with disco-club gems, slow-burn soul, and majestic gospel, Reflection showcased the band's versatility with 70’s-tinged backbeats, timeless harmonies, and Brittany Howard meets Sharon Jones vocals. The fusion of styles earned them praise from music publications such as Pop Matters, Earmilk, BandsDoBK, No Depression, Paste Music Magazine, The Deli, Bust, and more. 

Brandi and the Alexanders' most recent single, "Perfectly Imperfect," is a loping guitar-driven ode to late 70s pop and funk, which offers an early taste of their upcoming EP, Black Cherry. The Deli Mag, a prominent New York music blog, describes them as "a compelling fusion of soul, funk, pop, R&B, and gospel," with lush harmonies and a "spacey interpretation of 60s girl group leads." Brandi and the Alexanders are set to captivate audiences and continue their journey with their high energy, head-nodding rhythms, and ever-evolving sound.