Digable Planets
Digable Planets |
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Digable Planets is a Grammy Award winning American hip hop group based in New York City, composed of Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler (from Seattle), Craig "Doodlebug" Irving (from Philadelphia), and Mary Ann "Ladybug Mecca" Vieira (from Washington, D.C.). They were backed by Silkworm, who later embarked on a solo career under the name King Britt.
History
Career
Digable Planets' fusion of jazz and hip hop received excellent reviews and solid sales with the release of its 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)," 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.
Its second album, Blowout Comb, was released in 1994 (see 1994 in music). The novelty of the group's jazz/hip-hop fusion had passed, leading to disappointing sales. The trio soon broke up due to creative differences, as well as the deaths of both of Ladybug's parents due to unrelated illnesses. However, a retrospective album Beyond the Spectrum: The Creamy Spy Chronicles was released in 2005, which included unreleased recordings.
Breakup
Butler established a hip-hop/blues act called Cherrywine; after failing to release a solo album "Ishmael Since 1999." 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." Silkworm has an established solo career under the name King Britt, and occasionally partners with The Roots' Ahmir-Khalib “?uestlove” Thompson. 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 Ladybug Mek, has also embarked on a solo career, releasing an album Trip The Light Fantastic in 2005 on her label Nu Paradigm Entertainment with her partner Nkosi Gray. Ladybug Mek has also guest appeared on Legacy/Sony's Billie Holiday Remixed & Reimagined Album. Remixers include Tony Humphries, DJ Logic, Nickodemus & Zeb, Jazzy Nice, Organica, and many more. Roland Richards and Ladybug Mek liven up “Spreadin' Rhythm Around” with a “hip-hop meets swing” anthem. In 2008 Ladybug Mek has lent her talent to eMC (Masta Ace, Punchline, Wordsworth, Stricklin) on the title track "The Show" and Del The Funkyhomosapien'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 Mek is the voice of Tracey Triceratops, the leader of The Dino 5 as well as the "interrupting child". She is also wrapping up her second solo project to be released in 2008.
In February 2005 the trio reunited and embarked on a reunion tour, with a compilation album released on October 15, 2005.
Ladybug Mecca is in a children's group called Dino 5 featuring Prince Paul, Chali 2na from Jurassic 5, Scratch from The Roots, & Wordsworth.
Discography
Albums
- Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) (1993)
- Blowout Comb (1994)
- Beyond the Spectrum: The Creamy Spy Chronicles (compilation) (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)