original Digable Planets promo photo with Ladybug vs their last promo photo

Earlier this month, news began circulating that Digable Planets had plans to reunite with their original members in 2012 for a tour and a new album, which would be the followup to 1994's Blowout Comb. However, the group's original female emcee, Ladybug Mecca, has since denied those claims, stating that, "Though a dialog has started about possible plans in the future, nothing has been contracted yet. All reports of Digable Planets, and/or Ladybug Mecca's appearance with them, are false and inaccurate."

However, the group will be playing a show in Brooklyn this Tuesday (12/20) at Brooklyn Bowl with F. Stokes and UGO Crew. Tickets are still available. Digable Planets will be backed by the band The Cosmic Funk Orchestra, like they have been at past shows.

They originally reunited in 2005, and went through a series of reunion tours in the years following, scheduling-then-cancelling-dates with Ladybug and without. In the past Ladybug's role has been filled by MC Madarocka (aka Lady Makka). We contacted the group's agent for more info. He (slightly contradicted Ladybug and) said, "Though Ladybug is not yet slated rejoin her former band mates until 2012, you never know who will show up to a Digable show - constantly reminding listeners why Digable Planets are "Cool like dat"." Hmmm.

Ish aka Butterfly (Ishmael Butler) has recently been spending his time with Shabazz Palaces, who released one of Rough Trade's favorite albums of the year.

Check out some classic Digable Planets video below.

Continue reading "Digable Planets not reunited, playing Brooklyn Bowl"

After a successful reunion in 2005, some shows (some canceled) in 2006, and a tour in 2008, Digable Planets' planned tour earlier this year was called off due to reported "irreconcilable differences."

Now the jazz/hip-hop fusion group is back...kind of. Cee Knowledge (DoodleBug) and and Ishmael Butler (Butterfly) will be touring this fall and performing Digable Planets material, but they'll be without founding member and key MC Ladybug Mecca (who is now going by "LadyBUGMEK"). The first date on the tour is October 13th at Brooklyn's Southpaw. Tickets are on sale now. hmmm.

Also at the shows will be the current projects of both members, Butterfly's band Cherrywine and Cee Knowledge's band C.F.O. (aka Cosmic Funk Orchestra). Their MySpace describes the setup as "a review [sic] that includes a 3 piece band, a deejay and will perform songs from their respective solo careers as well as Digable Planets classics."

One of those "solo career songs" - "Sparkles" off Butterfly's Shabazz Palaces which came out in June - is posted below.

There's also the new commercial for Tide detergent which makes use of the group's classic "Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)." That, a past-reunion video, and all tour dates are below...

Continue reading "Digable Planets playing without Ladybug?? (but w/ Butterfly & Doodglebug's solo projects) +++ Tide is Cool Like Dat!?"

Digable Planets LIVE @ Irving Plaza, 2005 (more)

In 2008 Ladybug Mecca has lent her talent to eMC (Masta Ace, Punchline, Wordsworth, Stricklin) on the title track "The Show" and Del The Funkyhomosapien's 11thour Album on the song "I Got You". April 1, 2008 marks the release of her collaboration with the likes of Legendary producer Prince Paul, Chali 2na (Jurrasic 5), Ursula Rucker, Scratch (The Roots) and Wordsworth (eMC) on Baby Loves Hip Hop's The Dino-5 Children's CD which is a "Book on Tape" through Ropeadope Records. Ladybug Mecca is the voice of Tracey Triceratops, the leader of The Dino 5 as well as the "interrupting child". She is also wrapping up her second solo project to be released in 2008. [Wikipedia]

When Ladybug Mecca isn't collaborating, putting out solo albums or playing a dinosaur, Digable Planets are reuniting. They do it again this year with a a tour of California in September followed by a couple of random shows (with more likely TBA) including October 8th at BB Kings in NYC. Tickets are on sale. All dates below....

Continue reading "Digable Planets - 2008 Tour Dates (BB King's)"

Continue reading "The 2008 Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (KRS One, DJ Premier)...."