Where is digable planets

After their sophomore album Blowout Comb failed to repeat their initial success, the group splintered and started working on separate projects. After relocating back home to Seattle, Butler formed Shabazz Palaces ; Irving returned to Philly and founded Cee Knowledge and the Cosmic Funk Orchestra; for the past six years, Vieira has been working on an ambitious project with producer Prince Paul that is scheduled to be released this fall.

But now, 25 years after they initially got together, Digable are heading out on a U. And though they have reunited for shows before, they are now even considering a return to the studio to record a new album.

Here, all three members reminisce about their artistic beginnings and why their particular sensibilities came together so well. View Iframe URL. Back then, I was DJing and had turntables set-up in my room, made some beats. Ladybug was connected to that scene, and our relationship went from there. We just ended up talking, and I found out he had a group in D. When I was a kid, I would write my thoughts down on these small pieces of paper and stuff them in a grocery bag that hung on my door.

I was an introvert. Irving: Ish was the heart of Digable Planets, without a doubt, but we all had chops and brought something to the table that added to the flavor that made the group what it was.

Butler: She had a certain off-beatness that was unique back then—a rhythmic approach and pronunciation of things that was just different. And listening to Lyte, Queen Latifah , and Roxanne Shante gave me confidence and the strength to do it too. In developing the Digable Planets sound, how did you decide to take the group in that jazzy funk direction that is so prominent on your debut?

I was just using the samples that I could get my hands on; they were from records that belonged to my moms, my pops, and my uncles. My father was a stated jazz aficionado and he was into all the avant-garde stuff; he was a big Eric Dolphy fan. That shit was fly too. A gumbo of all of that stuff became our sound. What was that experience like?

Irving: Ish already had the album laid out and knew how he wanted to do it, but the label decided [Shane and Mike] would be the best production team to supervise the project. They had worked on some Native Tongues projects and helped us bring our vision to life. It was super tight. Working together was always smooth and easy.

We just had this special connection. And it worked for them. With a more alternative, soulful sound, the performers known as Butterfly, Doodlebug and Ladybug Mecca won a Grammy for best rap performance by a duo or group.

And now, Digable Planets are back together for their first tour since The group, which performs Aug. A show, which will be performed with a five-piece band. Their second album. Vieira meanwhile is part of the hip-hop group Brookzill!