Digable Planets

Digable Planets
Origin	Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres	Jazz rap, alternative hip hop
Years active	1992–1995 2005–present
Labels	Pendulum, Blue Note, EMI
Members
Butterfly Doodlebug Ladybug Mecca

Digable Planets ( /ˈdɪɡəbəl ˈplænəts/) is an American alternative hip hop trio based in New York City, composed of Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler (from Seattle), Mary Ann "Ladybug Mecca" Vieira (from Silver Spring) and Craig "Doodlebug" Irving (from Philadelphia).^[1] They released their debut album Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) in 1993, and their follow-up album Blowout Comb in 1994. Shortly after this release the trio parted ways, citing "creative differences"^[1], though they've re-united to perform shows in more recent years.

History

Digable Planets' fusion of jazz and hip hop received excellent reviews and solid sales with the release of their debut album, Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space), in 1993, which was certified gold by the RIAA. The album's lead single, "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)," in 1994 became a crossover hit, peaking at #15 on Billboard magazine's singles chart, earning gold certification by the RIAA, and winning the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.^[2] The track peaked at #67 in the UK Singles Chart in February 1993.^[3]

The group's second album, Blowout Comb, was released in 1994 (see 1994 in music). This album departed from their debut by including feature appearances from outside artists, such as Jeru the Damaja and Guru of Gang Starr. Also in 1994, the group appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation album, Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool. The album, meant to raise awareness and funds in support of the AIDS epidemic in relation to the African American community, was heralded as "Album of the Year" by Time Magazine.

The trio subsequently broke up after Ladybug Mecca left the group after learning she was not equally compensated for the equal work she put into creating, developing and supporting Reachin' and Blow Out Comb. An additional hardship hit group member Ladybug Mecca when she dealt with the deaths of both of her parents.^[2]

A retrospective album Beyond the Spectrum: the Creamy Spy Chronicles was released in 2005, mixing previously released material with remixes and b-sides.^[2]

From 2009 to 2011, Digable Planets' Doodlebug and Butterfly toured across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Backed by a live band, Doodlebug's Cosmic Funk Orchestra, and often with Butterfly's Shabazz Palaces or hip hop duo Camp Lo as the supporting act, they continue to pack live concert venues around the globe with nostalgic oldschool hiphop lovers and a new generation of fans.

Digable Planets performed at Numbers, in Houston, Texas, on May 15, 2010, alongside the hip hop duo Camp Lo.^[2] During an interview with the Houston Chronicle near the time of this show, Doodlebug stated that a new single would be released, called "Fresh Out," and that a new album was planned for digital release in summer of 2010.^[2]

Digable Planets are currently touring and working on new music. Although, original member Ladybug is no longer with the group, they tour with other female MCs to represent the female energy that has always been a core element of the group.

Digable Planets are currently scheduled to perform alongside hip-hop group The Pharcyde at the 2011 North by Northeast music festival in Toronto, Ontario on June 19, 2011.^[4]

Breakups and reunions

Butler established a hip-hop/blues act called Cherrywine; after failing to release a solo album "Ishmael Since 1999",Co-Produced by longtime friend and musician Marcel Sanders.^{[citation needed]} Cherrywine's album Bright Black was released in 2003 to a lackluster reception. He also starred in the short films "I am Ali" and "We Deliver."^{[citation needed]}

Doodlebug is now known as Cee Knowledge and tours with a band called Cee Knowledge & the Cosmic Funk Orchestra that released two albums in limited edition on FarmHouse Records.^{[citation needed]}

Ladybug, now known as Lady Mecca, has also embarked on a solo career, releasing an album Trip The Light Fantastic in 2005.^{[citation needed]} Ladybug Mecca has also guest appeared on "Spreadin' Rhythm Around" on Legacy/Sony's Billie Holiday Remixed & Reimagined Album. In 2008 Ladybug Mecca lent her talent to eMC (Masta Ace, Punchline, Wordsworth, Stricklin) on the title track "The Show" and Del Tha Funkee Homosapien's 11thour Album on the song "I Got You". April 1, 2008 marks the release of her collaboration with the likes of Legendary producer Prince Paul, Chali 2na (Jurrasic 5), Ursula Rucker, Scratch (The Roots) and Wordsworth (eMC) on Baby Loves Hip Hop's The Dino-5 Children's CD which is a " Book on Tape" through Ropeadope Records. Ladybug Mecca is the voice of Tracey Triceratops, the leader of The Dino 5 as well as the "interrupting child".

In February 2005 the trio reunited and embarked on a reunion tour, with a compilation album released on October 15, 2005.^{[citation needed]}

Butterfly has a son named Jazz from a previous relationship with Coko of SWV.^{[citation needed]} According to the Digable Planets' Official MySpace page, maintained by Doodlebug and Butterfly, Lady Mecca chose to not continue future collaborations with Doodle and Butter.

Butterfly has also started a project under the moniker Shabazz Palaces in his home of Seattle. He has released two 7 song albums as well as a full length LP on Sub Pop Records, all of which were met with great critical acclaim.

Lady Mecca is currently working on her next album and has taken up another career, as DJ Lady Mecca with her second gig on March 12, 2011 at LOLA in St. Louis, Missouri. According to Kevin C. Johnson, Post-Dispatch Pop Music Critic,"What stood out about Mecca's two-hour, 50-song set was her song choices, full of selections music fans don't necessarily hear every weekend at the clubs (unlike, say, DJ Solange, who totally pandered to the crowd at the gig at Exo earlier this year)."

Discography

Albums

• Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) (1993)
• Blowout Comb (1994)
• Beyond the Spectrum: the Creamy Spy Chronicles (2005)

Singles

• "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" (1992)
• "Where I'm From" (1993)
• "Nickel Bags" (1993)
• "9th Wonder (Blackitolism)" (1994)
• "9th Wonder (Slicker This Year) Mad Slicker Remixes" (1994)
• "Dial 7 (Axioms of Creamy Spies)" (1995)

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Bush, John. "Biography: Digable Planets". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p26355. Retrieved 15 July 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} [1] Digable Planets biography page
3. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 155. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
4. ^ Stevenson, Jane. "Devo, Hats play free for NXNE". Toronto Sun. http://www.torontosun.com/2011/04/19/devo-hats-play-free-for-nxne. Retrieved 25 April 2011.