Arrested Development, the legendary hip-hop band that eschewed the gangsta sound that dominated rap in the early 1990s, will be headlining the free Uptown Jazz Festival. Set to take place at Houghton Park on the Northside for its 14th iteration, this year’s event will take place on Saturday, Aug. 2 from 2PM to 7PM.
“The Uptown Jazz Festival is a highly anticipated annual event. It brings our community together in celebration of music, culture, and unity,” said 9th District Councilmember Dr. Joni Ricks-Oddie. “This free event welcomes thousands annually with celebrated musical artists who bring a sound for every generation. And I’m proud to host it once again in the heart of North Long Beach. It’s where families, neighbors, and visitors alike can enjoy an afternoon of entertainment, delicious food, local vendors, and community at this all-day festival.”
For those in Long Beach that—for some reason—might not know who Arrested Development is…
Arrested Development emerged in the early ’90s as a bold and much-needed counterpoint to the rising wave of gangsta rap. Formed in Atlanta in 1988 by frontman Speech (Todd Thomas) and turntablist Headliner (Timothy Barnwell), the group fused things that were thought to be incompatible at the time. Cocially conscious lyrics with Afrocentric themes. Live instrumentation with a deeply rooted Southern sensibility. Their sound—equal parts hip-hop, soul, funk, and spiritual uplift—felt less like a product of the streets and more like a sermon from the soil.
Their 1992 debut album 3 Years, 5 Months and 2 Days in the Life Of… didn’t just break through. It redefined what hip-hop could be. With hits like “Tennessee,” “People Everyday,” and “Mr. Wendal,” the group championed everything that still defines them. Black identity. Poverty awareness. Spirituality. And community healing. All without posturing or violence. The album went quadruple platinum, won two Grammys, and earned them “Band of the Year” honors from Rolling Stone. At a time when the genre was often painted as monolithic, Arrested Development made it clear: hip-hop had room for compassion and consciousness, too.
But success brought pressure. Internal tensions. Creative differences. The shifting tides of the music industry. All led to their disbandment in 1996 only to be reunited in the early 2000s. More than just a nostalgic footnote, Arrested Development is a living reminder that hip-hop isn’t just about what you say—it’s how and why you say it. They didn’t just make music; they made space—for healing, for heritage, and for humanity.
What is the Uptown Jazz Festival? And why is it important to Long Beach?
The Uptown Jazz Festival in Long Beach has quietly evolved into one of the city’s most beloved cultural touchstones—a day-long celebration of music, community, and neighborhood pride that has, over the past 14 years, become a signature event for North Long Beach.
Launched in 2011 under the leadership of then-Councilmember Steve Neal, the Uptown Jazz Festival was created with a simple but powerful mission: bring high-quality live music to a part of the city that had long been underserved when it came to cultural investment. Hosted at Houghton Park, the festival was envisioned as both a showcase for jazz, soul, and R&B talent and a family-friendly gathering rooted in community spirit.
From its early days of modest stages and local performers, the festival has grown into a full-scale production featuring Grammy-winning headliners, food vendors, small businesses, and nonprofit partners. Over the years, it has hosted legendary acts like The Delfonics, Poncho Sanchez, The S.O.S. Band, and Evelyn “Champagne” King, while also spotlighting emerging local talent. Its reach has expanded far beyond North Long Beach, drawing thousands of residents from across the city each summer.
