Digable Planets

Digable Planets is an alternative hip hop group composed of Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler, Craig "Doodlebug" Irving, and Mary Ann "Ladybug Mecca" Vieira. They were backed by Silkworm, who later embarked on a solo career under the name King Britt.

History

Digable Planets' fusion of jazz and hip hop (jazz rap) 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 is widely considered a landmark of alternative hip hop. The album's lead single, "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)," became a major 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.

Their second album, Blowout Comb, was released in 1994 (see 1994 in music). It was also critically acclaimed, but 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.

Recent developments

Butler established a hip-hop/blues act called Cherrywine; their album Bright Black was released in 2003 with a lackluster reception. Silkworm has an established solo career under the name King Britt, and occasionally partners with The Roots' Ahmir-Khalib Thompson. Doodlebug is now known as Cee Knowledge and tours with a band called Cee Knowledge & The Cosmic Funk Orchestra. Ladybug, now known as Ladybug Mecca, has also embarked on a solo career, releasing an album in 2005.

In February of 2005 the trio reunited and embarked on a reunion tour, with a compilation album released on October 15, 2005. The group also has stated plans to release a DVD.

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)

External links