Digable Planets
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| Digable Planets | |
|---|---|
| Origin | New York City New York Image:Flag of the United States.svg United States |
| Genre(s) | Hip Hop Alternative Hip Hop Psychedelic jazz |
| Years active | 1992–1995 2005–present |
| Label(s) | Pendulum/Elektra Records Pendulum/EMI Blue Note/Capitol/EMI |
| Members | |
| Butterfly Doodlebug Ladybug Mecca Silkworm | |
Digable Planets is an 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.
Contents |
[edit] History
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.
[edit] Post-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 film short "I am Ali." 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 Mecca, has also embarked on a solo career, releasing an album in 2005.
[edit] Reunion
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.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) (1993)
- Blowout Comb (1994)
- Beyond the Spectrum: The Creamy Spy Chronicles (compilation) (2005)
[edit] 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)
