Unplugged
Arrested Development · 1993
67 min · 18 tracks · hip-hop
An introspective blend of acoustic sounds and thoughtful lyrics, capturing the essence of hip-hop’s storytelling tradition.
Top tracks — play these first
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Mama's Always on Stage — This track highlights the struggles of a performer balancing personal life and professional demands, illustrating the duality of fame and family.
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Mr. Wendal — Addressing homelessness and societal neglect, this song stands out for its poignant narrative and melodic delivery that encapsulates the duo's mission for social change.
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Give a Man a Fish Start here — The song emphasizes self-sufficiency over dependency, showcasing the group's philosophical approach to social issues through compelling storytelling.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- thoughtful reflective moments
- layered acoustic soundscapes
- introspective storytelling journeys
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Showcases the group's commitment to social issues and solidifies their reputation.
- Themes
- homelessness awareness· performer duality· social responsibility
- Career context
- Released in 1993, Unplugged marked Arrested Development's first live album after their breakthrough success with 2 Cool 4 Skool. This project showcased the group's commitment to social issues and authentic storytelling, following their Grammy-winning debut and positioning them as influential voices in hip-hop.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Digable Planets· The Roots· A Tribe Called Quest
Tracklist
- 1 Time 0:53
- 2 Give a Man a Fish Start here 4:05
- 3 The Gettin' 2:10
- 4 Natural 4:55
- 5 Searchin' for One Soul 1:22
- 6 Raining Revolution 4:33
- 7 Fishin' 4 Religion 4:04
- 8 Mama's Always on Stage 3:21
- 9 U 5:21
- 10 Mr. Wendal 4:35
- 11 People Everyday 6:52
- 12 Give a Man a Fish (instrumental) 4:10
- 13 The Gettin' (instrumental) 2:10
- 14 Natural (instrumental) 4:55
- 15 Searchin' for One Soul (instrumental) 1:22
- 16 Raining Revolution (instrumental) 4:33
- 17 Mama's Always on Stage (instrumental) 4:37
- 18 Mr. Wendal (instrumental) 3:30
What to play next
Zingalamaduni
1994
Continues the introspective vibe while introducing more diverse sounds and themes.
3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of...
1992
Sets the stage for Unplugged's acoustic storytelling with its foundational hip-hop elements.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Things Fall Apart
The Roots
Shares a focus on social issues and combines live instrumentation with introspective lyricism.
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Explores personal and societal themes through a blend of acoustic sounds and heartfelt storytelling.
Like Water for Chocolate
Common
Combines poetic lyricism with a rich, organic sound palette, addressing social responsibility and personal growth.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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