In 1993, Digable Planets emerged on the music scene with their Grammy-winning single, “Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)”. The trio, consisting of Ishmael Butler (“Butterfly”), Craig Irving (“Doodlebug”) and Mary Ann Vieira (“Ladybug Mecca”), created a distinctive blend of jazz and Hip Hop. Following this success, Digable Planets released their debut album, “Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time And Space)”, which Pitchfork acclaimed as “a world within a world, complete with its own language and monuments.”
The newcomers followed up with “Blowout Comb”, a vibrant and thought-provoking exploration of Black liberation. This album has stood the test of time, influencing upcoming generations of hip-hop enthusiasts, young jazz musicians, and Afrofuturists. Throughout the 2000s, the trio established their own distinct creative identities with Butler’s Cherrywine and Shabazz Palaces projects, Mecca’s work with BROOKZILL!, and Irving’s role as “Cee Knowledge” leading Cee Knowledge & The Cosmic Funk Orchestra.
In 2015, the group embarked upon a string of wildly successful live shows and has been very active as a tight touring unit ever since. This year, EFG London Jazz Festival is extending into December for two very special performances from the legendary hip-hop, jazz trio. Digable Planets perform at KOKO on 5 & 6 December as the London celebration of their 30th Anniversary tour for “Blowout Comb”.
For further information, please visit the EFG London Jazz Festival website
Source/Image provided by Practice Music –
Digable Planets Portrait Session backstage Neptune Theater, Seattle Washington August 9, 2019. L to R: Craig “Doodlebug” Irving, Mariana “Ladybug Mecca” Vieira and Ishmael “Butterfly” Butler
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