(AllHipHop News) Listeners tuned in to a local Atlanta radio station witnessed a turning point in the history of progressive Hip-Hop group Arrested Development over the weekend, when the group’s frontman Speech received a surprise phone call from former member and co-founder Headliner. The call during an interview on WRFG 89.3 FM’s “Sunday Night Fiya” with Karen Mason served as an impromptu reconciliation between the longtime friends, who, according to the group’s publicist, had not spoken to each other in years. Arrested Development is currently promoting their new album Strong, the fifth release the group has had since their reconciliation in 2000 and the first which to be heavily marketed in the United States. The group rose to prominence in the early 1990s following the release of their debut album 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of…, which yielded the hit singles “Tennessee,” “People Everyday,” and “Mr. Wendal.” The album earned the group the 1993 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group and Best New Artist, an honor which, to date, has not been awarded to another Hip-Hop group. The group’s subsequent releases, though not as popular in the US, solidified the Arrested Development’s international popularity. However, in 1996, the group broke up due to “creative differences.” When they came back together in 2000, signing to Speech’s label Vagabond, they did so without the participation of Headliner. “It’s the will of God that has brought this day forth and I’m thankful.” said Headliner of his decision to burry the hatchet. “I pray that my brother can feel where I’m coming from at this time, and some of the listeners who might be going through the same thing with someone that they love and care deeply about. We did a lot of great things together and helped to heal the world and change a lot of people’s lives. And at some point in life, you heal yourself.” While he did not comment on the cause of their split, Headliner did praise the work Speech and Arrested Development have done in his absence. “I love [the new music],” he commented. “It never ceases to amaze me that my brother is continuing to push the envelope musically. And it shows, from the time we first met until now: he’s still peeking at new horizons. He’s stayed consistent with the thought of intellectual music for people that want to be intellectually healed.” Moved by his longtime friend’s first step, Speech went on to invite Headliner to reunite with the group onstage at their next show, scheduled to take place Thursday (August 26) at 7:30pm at Chastain Park Amphitheater in Atlanta. Arrested Development will be sharing top billing with 80’s pop rock band Tears For Fears. Tickets for the show are available online at LiveNation.com. Originally released in the US on January 1, 2010, Strong received a digital re-release in April and a renewed push by the group to garner national attention. The album has already produced two Top 10 singles in Asia. The first single from the release “The World Is Changing,” peaked at the #9 position on Japan’s “J-Wave” charts, which gathers data from 30 major FM stations in the country. The song also reached #9 on the Tokyo Hot 100 list. Their latest single “Greener” is currently #9 in Indonesia. Arrested Development is also in rotation on MTV International and MTV France with clips from the songs “The World Is Changing” and “Bloody,” respectively.
