Digable Planets
Encyclopedia
Digable Planets 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). 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", though they've re-united to perform shows in more recent years.
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
. The track peaked at #67 in the UK Singles Chart
in February 1993.
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.
A retrospective album Beyond the Spectrum: the Creamy Spy Chronicles was released in 2005, mixing previously released material with remixes and b-sides.
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. 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.
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.
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.
Ladybug, now known as Lady Mecca, has also embarked on a solo career, releasing an album Trip The Light Fantastic in 2005. 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 album 11th Hour 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.
Butterfly has a son named Jazz from a previous relationship with Coko
of SWV
.
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)."
Rumors surfaced in late 2011 that the group will be reuniting for a run of shows throughout 2012, though no official word has yet been released by the group or their reps.
Alternative hip hop
Alternative hip hop is a sub-genre of hip hop music. Allmusic defines it as follows: -Origin:...
trio based in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, composed of Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler (from Seattle), Mary Ann "Ladybug Mecca" Vieira (from Silver Spring
Silver Spring, Maryland
Silver Spring is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It had a population of 71,452 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth most populous place in Maryland, after Baltimore, Columbia, and Germantown.The urbanized, oldest, and...
) and Craig "Doodlebug" Irving (from Philadelphia). They released their debut album Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)
Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)
Reachin is the debut album by alternative hip hop group Digable Planets. It was released on September 27, 1993, by Pendulum/Elektra Records. The album was produced solely by Digable Planets' Butterfly and features raps by each of the group's members. There are no guest performers on Reachin, but...
in 1993, and their follow-up album Blowout Comb
Blowout Comb
Blowout Comb is the second studio album by American hip hop group Digable Planets, released October 18, 1994, on Pendulum/EMI Records. The album is titled after a grooming product that was used popularly by African Americans during the 1970s, amid the trend of the Afro hair style...
in 1994. Shortly after this release the trio parted ways, citing "creative differences", though they've re-united to perform shows in more recent years.
History
Digable Planets' fusion of jazzJazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
received excellent reviews and solid sales with the release of their debut album, Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)
Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)
Reachin is the debut album by alternative hip hop group Digable Planets. It was released on September 27, 1993, by Pendulum/Elektra Records. The album was produced solely by Digable Planets' Butterfly and features raps by each of the group's members. There are no guest performers on Reachin, but...
, in 1993, which was certified gold by the RIAA. The album's lead single, "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)
Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)
"Rebirth of Slick " is a 1992 song by jazz rap trio Digable Planets which was released as the first single from their debut album, Reachin' ....
," in 1994 became a crossover hit, peaking at #15 on Billboard magazine's singles
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart, earning gold certification by the RIAA, and winning the Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
The Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group was awarded between 1991 and 2011, alongside the Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance. Previously a single award was presented for Best Rap Performance....
. The track peaked at #67 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in February 1993.
The group's second album, Blowout Comb
Blowout Comb
Blowout Comb is the second studio album by American hip hop group Digable Planets, released October 18, 1994, on Pendulum/EMI Records. The album is titled after a grooming product that was used popularly by African Americans during the 1970s, amid the trend of the Afro hair style...
, was released in 1994 (see 1994 in music
1994 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1994.-January–February:*January 25 – Alice in Chains release their Jar of Flies album which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming the first ever EP to do so....
). This album departed from their debut by including feature appearances from outside artists, such as Jeru the Damaja
Jeru the Damaja
Kendrick Jeru Davis, known as Jeru the Damaja is an American rapper and recording artist who has worked extensively with Guru and DJ Premier of Gang Starr, whom he has known since high school.-Biography:...
and Guru
Guru (rapper)
Keith Edward Elam , better known by his stage name Guru, was an American emcee and member of the hip-hop duo Gang Starr, along with DJ Premier. He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts...
of Gang Starr
Gang Starr
Gang Starr was an influential East Coast hip hop duo that consisted of the late MC Guru and DJ/producer DJ Premier. Their style combined elements of New York jazz and hip hop.-Background:...
. Also in 1994, the group appeared on the Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
'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.
A retrospective album Beyond the Spectrum: the Creamy Spy Chronicles was released in 2005, mixing previously released material with remixes and b-sides.
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. 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.
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
The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde are an alternative hip hop group based in South Central Los Angeles. The original four members of the group are Imani , Slimkid3 , Bootie Brown and Fatlip . DJ Mark Luv was the group's first DJ, followed by producer J-Swift and then J Dilla...
at the 2011 North by Northeast
North by Northeast
North by Northeast is an annual five-day live music and film festival and music conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, held each June....
music festival in Toronto, Ontario on June 19, 2011.
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. 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."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.
Ladybug, now known as Lady Mecca, has also embarked on a solo career, releasing an album Trip The Light Fantastic in 2005. 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
Del tha Funkee Homosapien
Teren Delvon Jones , better known as Del the Funky Homosapien or Del tha Funkee Homosapien, is an American MC.-Early life and beginnings: 1990-1997:...
's album 11th Hour 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.
Butterfly has a son named Jazz from a previous relationship with Coko
Coko
Cheryl Elizabeth "Coko" Clemons is an American gospel and R&B singer, and lead singer of R&B group Sisters With Voices .-Musical career:...
of SWV
SWV
Sisters with Voices, better known as SWV, is an American female R&B trio from New York. Formed in 1990 as a gospel group, SWV became one of the most successful R&B groups of the 1990s. They had a series of hits, including "Weak", "Right Here/Human Nature", "I'm So Into You", and "You're the One"....
.
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
Shabazz Palaces
Shabazz Palaces are a Seattle-based hip-hop collective, led by Ishmael Butler aka 'Palaceer Lazaro' and multi-instrumentalist Tendai Maraire, son of Mbira master Dumisani Maraire...
in his home of Seattle. He has released two 7 song albums as well as a full length LP on Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
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)."
Rumors surfaced in late 2011 that the group will be reuniting for a run of shows throughout 2012, though no official word has yet been released by the group or their reps.
Albums
- Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)Reachin is the debut album by alternative hip hop group Digable Planets. It was released on September 27, 1993, by Pendulum/Elektra Records. The album was produced solely by Digable Planets' Butterfly and features raps by each of the group's members. There are no guest performers on Reachin, but...
(1993) - Blowout CombBlowout CombBlowout Comb is the second studio album by American hip hop group Digable Planets, released October 18, 1994, on Pendulum/EMI Records. The album is titled after a grooming product that was used popularly by African Americans during the 1970s, amid the trend of the Afro hair style...
(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)