What do the Grammys mean to you?
Eshe: To be honored by your peers in the presence of your peers means everything because you work hard on what you do. Of course, you want people to like you. So, for people to want us here after all these years, it’s been a blessing.
How do you keep yourselves relevant?
Speech: For me, you stay relevant by staying fresh. If your subject matter, music, presence and shows are always fresh, then people are always going to say, “I want to keep seeing this band.” We see that there’s a whole new generation vibing to us. They’re loving our old and new stuff. We’re grateful for that.
Is it more important to follow your art, heart, or the money?
Eshe: The heart. If you follow your heart, then people connect with that, and they feel that. There’s fakeness to follow the money, and it’s going to be temporary. We believe in that and staying true to who we are.
How did it affect you when your popularity started to fade?
Eshe: To some people, it’s a trend. [Some] people said, “You’re has beens.” We live in a society that says you’re hot today and you’re not hot tomorrow. We always stayed true to who we were as people and artists. We have true fans who have been with us on the whole journey. You go through things. But, you have to brush your shoulders off and keep going.
When you listen to your old music, are there things that the more mature you wishes he could say to the younger you?
Speech: Just enjoy the ride because I think it is a ride. I think anyone who’s said that there have not been ups and downs, hardships and triumphs [in the business] they’re lying. This business is all about that.
What are some of the other projects you are working on for 2011?
Eshe: We are working on more material now and touring the world. We’re going to tour the U.S. and even Rwanda until the end the year. We’re all very creative people, so you may see us anywhere.
For more information on Arrested Development, visit arresteddevelopmentmusic.com.
