Expansion Delayed Until 2021 and Speech Interview With DJ Vlad

 

Per the latest email newsletter from Arrested Development, Speech's upcoming album Expansion, originally scheduled for release, well, now, has been delayed until 2021.

Honestly, I think it's the right move. While I always look forward to new Speech music, Don't Fight Your Demons has been getting a lot of attention and it seems to me that it's best to let that breathe and have its time in the sunshine. That said, when they say 2021, hopefully they mean January 1, 2021. ;)

In other news from the update, CDs and Vinyl are still forthcoming for Don't Fight and Speech's interview with Vlad is up now on the YouTube. I imagine this will add to the buzz for the new album, and bigly so. I will be checking it out soon! Links are below.

Part One:

Part Two:

Part Three:

Part Four:

Interview on Breaking Wreckords Radio

Here's a lengthy interview with Speech and Configa, executive producer and producer on Don't Fight Your Demons. The interview is for a general audience so a lot of the questions are ones with answers that AD fans will already be familiar with, but you also get some good insight on the new album and Configa's involvement with it. Enjoy!

16 Bars on Amazon Prime

 

I'm going to be honest--I had no idea Speech's documentary 16 Bars was available on DVD. I've just ordered a copy. And the good news is that it's also on Amazon Prime, so if you have Prime, check it out now! Here's a link to the DVD on Amazon, which also contains a link to the video on Prime. I will have my thoughts once I watch the film. Looking forward to it!

And while you're at it, check out the soundtrack here! Speaking of things I didn't know, I was not aware a CD had been produced for the soundtrack--so now I have bought that as well.

Reel People Featuring Speech "I Never Knew"

Great news--despite just releasing the new AD album and having a new Speech album coming in two weeks, there's even more new music to check out--this time with Speech featuring on a new song from the group Reel People. This is an upbeat, happy tune featuring a lot of Speech, along with an official video. Check it out below! And the single includes a longer edit that runs over 5 minutes, so check that out as well on all major streaming and purchase sites.

A Return to Conscious Rap?

 

As most are likely aware, last week saw the release of what to me personally were three really big records from three of my favorites: Arrested Development, naturally, along with Public Enemy and Paris. Many others also took notice of the moment and some included the Nappy Roots in the mix, which is fine as while not one of my personal favorites, I do respect their artistry. 

On that note, Hip Hop DX wrote an article that posed the question "Is This a Return of Conscious Rap?" Considering conscious rap never went away I would say "No" out of principle and stubbornness, but it certainly is refreshing to see a little more attention being sent to these groups at the moment. 

All in all, I think hip hop is a big tent and there's room for all sorts of subject matter and styles, but if people want to embrace the styles and artists I tend to gravitate toward, that would be just fine with me!

Check out the article here, it's a good read.