Biography
When hip-hop trio Digable Planets emerged in the early 90s, their memorable moniker raised eyebrows. What, exactly, did it mean? The name sprang, they explained, from the notion that every individual is a planet. But the unique worlds that their tracks mapped out were not insular ones; as their Grammy-winning hit Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" would prove, the Planets were primed to connect with audiences weary of the aggressive posturing of gangsta rap. Filled with literate lyrics, honey-smooth flow, and inventive arrangements, their albums Reachin' (A New Refutation Of Time And Space) (1993) and Blowout Comb (1994) redefined hip-hop, and set standards for the generation of soul poets and innovative producers that followed, as the new anthology Beyond The Spectrum: The Creamy Spy Chronicles effortlessly reiterates.
The group first took shape in the early 90s, in New York City. Former Seattle resident Butterfly (a k a Ishmael Butler) hooked up with Philadelphia native Doodlebug (Craig Irving), who was a member of New York collective Dread Poets Society, and Ladybug (Mary Ann Vieira), a Maryland denizen of Brazilian descent. Like the name chosen for their band, the new handles each member adopted also reflected a universal consciousness.
Insects stick together and work for mutually beneficial causes, Ladybug observed in Essence. Doodlebug added, Humans are supposed to be the most intelligent beings on the planet, and yet we cant seem to come together in a peaceful manner.
On their 1993 debut, Reachin' (A New Refutation Of Time And Space), the threesome showed just how rich and vibrant the musical product of three distinctive minds working in harmony could be. Musically, they incorporated elements of funk, samba, and psychedelia into their street-savvy hip-hop; jazz, in particular, played a pivotal role. The group gave shout-outs to icons Charles Mingus and Charlie Parker, and sampled others, including Sonny Rollins and the Last Poets.
Like hip-hop, they developed a language and style that was unique, noted Butterfly of their jazz forefathers. Those cats used their vernacular to communicate a new perspective. With unabashedly intelligent lyrical references to everything from Karl Marx (on the reggae-tinged Where I'm From) and Jimi Hendrix, to feminist bell hooks and poet Nikki Giovanni, the Planets boldly followed suit.
Critics responded to the Planets debut platter enthusiastically. Reachin' (A New Refutation Of Time And Space) is everything hip-hop should be: artistically sound, unabashedly conscious and downright cool, proclaimed Kevin Powell in a four-star review for Rolling Stone. And Digable Planets is the kind of rap act every fan should cram to understand. The record would eventually hit ..15 on the Billboard 200, break the Top 5 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and achieve Platinum sales status.
Buoyed up by a bubbling bass line and curlicues of brass (the latter lifted from a sample of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers), and peppered with finger-pops, the sublimely chill single Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" became the albums biggest hit. It peaked at ..15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, winning legions of fans across a variety of radio formats as well as in clubs. The track deservedly earned the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
After touring extensively, accompanied by a live band, the trio returned to the studio, emerging in 1994 with their sophomore outing, Blowout Comb. Even more so than its predecessor, the Planets second full-length pushed stylistic boundaries. The group downplayed samples in favor of live performances: Dog It juxtaposed animated sax and vibraphone turns (by Donald Duck Harrison and Bill Lounge, respectively) with a slightly harder vocal style, while sultry, summery singing on Dial 7 (Axioms Of Creamy Spies)" evoked an air of vintage 70s soul. Special guests on the Blowout Comb sessions included Brooklyn rapper Jeru The Damaja (Graffiti) and pioneering female hip-hop DJ Jazzy Joyce (9th Wonder (Blackitolism)), who also toured with the group.
Although Digable Planets dissolved in 1996, all three members have remained active musically. Butterfly went on to form the band Cherrywine, releasing the album Bright Black in 2003. He also composed music for commercial clients including Pepsi and Fila, and ventured into acting, with roles in film (the 2002 Sundance fave I Am Ali) and Off Broadway. Mecca the Ladybug now Ladybug Mecca dropped her new solo album, Trip The Light Fantastic, in June, 2005 on her very own record label Nu Paradigm Entertainment. She also composed the score for a short film entitled The Monster courtesy of Scenarios USA - Kids Creating Social Change in 2001. A segment of the film was featured on ABC World News Tonight with Peter Jennings. Working as Cee Knowledge, Doodlebug has been leading Philadelphia live hip-hop ensemble Cosmic Funk Orchestra since 2000. In addition Doodlebug is actively the CEO of the successful multimedia company 7 and a Cresent. But most importantly for Digable Planets fans worldwide, the original trio recently reformed to play a number of well-received live dates (including Lollapalooza 2005), and begin work on their first album in over a decade.
H*A*P*P*Y* B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y ISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mad love to you man! It's been a minute, but the 7-3 I'll neva forget!!! that and the fish allergy :\ lol Props to you I.B., all day every day!
Wats Poppin ayo we gotta get yall new joints to the mainstream.. yall new albums Intifadah & Shabazz Palaces are definitly wats shaking in the underground.. We have 2 get this real Hiphop 2 da youth da same way P.E, X-Clan, P.R.T did in da late 80's !! Hiphop is outta balance wit all this bubblegum, money talk bullshitt !!!! we need U brothers on 106park, da radio, hiphop websites asap !! Yall music is to real and good to be buried !!! Like YZ said we gotta come up wit a MasterPlan ya heard !!
Thnx 4 Accepting Me,. Ima A BIGG Fan. Thnx 4 Sending Me Thoes Vid'z. Appreciate You. Da Name Iz Imanni. I've Been Listening To You Since The Song: Cool Like That. Came Out. Thanks Again. Write Anytime. Feel Free To Send More Video's...And Anthing Else.
HHDS Summer Special @ Tube Station, Berlin on Sat., 4th of July feat.: AMANDA DIVA (Q-Tip/NYC live) // WALTER (Tabac / HHDS Tel-Aviv) // SAN GABRIEL (Data MC / liveDEMO / HHDS) // JUMPY (HHDS, Berlin) // VJ SAFY SNIPER (live Berlin) and PALINA POWER & BIANCA CHECKER on the MINIFLOOR
I finally finished the album!! woo hooo. The short-lived life of magen melancholy is now available @ magenmelancholy.com!!your support is needed and very much appreciated!!
To Release isn't to forget, not to think about, or ignore. It doesn't leave feelings of anger, jealousy, or regret. It's not about pride and it's not obsessing or dwelling on the past. It's not about giving in or giving up. To let go is to cherish the memories, but to overcome and move on. Letting go is learning and experiencing and growing. To release is to be thankful for the experiences that made you laugh, made you cry, and made you grow. It's about all that you have, all that you had, and all that you will soon gain. Letting go is releasing and having the courage to accept change, and the strength to keep moving. It is realizing that the heart can sometimes be the most potent remedy. To let go is to open a door, and to clear a path and set yourself free---
Digable Planets, remember that it's easy to let go when holding on hurts so bad--so free yourself from all these expectations and just be :-) Hope you find the unity in my new single "Release" feat. JRockA. So come peep the track! Stay creative and stay connected!!
AWW im still blushing!!..you guys are my fave..and im stunned that im noticed or heard by you..hehehe..im being so girly gahh hahha hahha..anywyas..COOL LIKE THAT!!!..LOVES IT!!!!
AWWW..I just read what you said to me..bout keepin my head up...thank you so much for reading..Id never expect that y'all be reading too..btw which one of you is controlling your myspace? well thx again..hope to see you guys in concert..hmm rock the bells??
HI THIS IS J RED OF THE BML FROM MICHIGAN THANKS FOR THE REQUEST WELCOME TO OUR PAGE
WHEN YA GET A CHANCE LISTEN TO OUR FRESH *NEW* SONGS
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