In a year already packed with musical surprises, iconic 90s hip-hop trio Digable Planets has launched an unexpected comeback that’s sending shockwaves through the industry and thrilling longtime fans. The Grammy-winning group, consisting of Ishmael “Butterfly” Butler, Craig “Doodlebug” Irving, and Mariana “Ladybug Mecca” Vieira, announced they will celebrate the 30th anniversary of their groundbreaking album Blowout Comb with a special performance at the EFG London Jazz Festival this week.
Known for their eclectic jazz-influenced sound, socially conscious lyrics, and Afrocentric style, Digable Planets made an indelible mark on the golden age of hip-hop. However, their meteoric rise was short-lived, as tensions with their record label and internal conflicts led to a bitter breakup just a year after reaching the pinnacle of success.
Now, in a series of revealing interviews, the trio is opening up about their tumultuous journey, shedding light on the untold stories behind their shocking split and the enduring legacy of their music.
Underdogs Triumph at Grammys
Digable Planets’ rise to fame was as unexpected as it was meteoric. Their debut single, Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat), was a surprise hit, earning them a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1994. But according to Irving, their win ruffled some feathers in the industry.
“I bet people thought, ‘Fuck these motherfuckers’,” Irving reflects. “But I don’t care who we pissed off. Because it was the truth. It was real.”
Butler’s acceptance speech that night, in which he called attention to homelessness and urged the Black community to recognize its “true enemy,” may have also contributed to the backlash. “I didn’t think of it as a sociopolitical move at the time,” Butler says. “I thought, ‘this is how I feel, and I believe I’m right’.”
Label Struggles and a Shocking Split
Despite the success of their debut album Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space), Digable Planets soon found themselves at odds with their record label, Pendulum, over the direction of their follow-up, Blowout Comb. The group wanted to delve deeper into their jazz roots and address weightier sociopolitical issues, but the label balked at the shift.
“They wanted another Rebirth of Slick,” Irving explains. “When they heard how belligerent [Blowout Comb] was, how funky, they felt they couldn’t market it to the mainstream, ie white people. They felt it might offend them, make them uncomfortable.”
Despite the label’s resistance, Digable Planets persevered, and Blowout Comb was released in October 1994 to critical acclaim. However, without proper promotion from Pendulum, the album failed to match the commercial success of its predecessor. As tensions mounted, the group made a final televised appearance on Soul Train in March 1995 before abruptly splitting up.
The Power of Their Music Persists
In the decades since their breakup, each member of Digable Planets has pursued solo projects, with Butler finding particular success with his experimental hip-hop group Shabazz Palaces. However, the pull of their collective legacy has repeatedly brought them back together for sporadic reunions and tours.
“We realise what a gift this music has given us, what a blessing this is,” Vieira reflects. “On stage, I feel a freedom I don’t feel anywhere else.”
The trio acknowledges that new Digable Planets music is long-overdue. “I hope someday we can get it together,” Vieira says. “It would be a dream for me,” Butler adds. “I got hopes. I done had hopes for it for the longest while. But … hopefully.”
As they prepare to take the stage once again, the members of Digable Planets are feeling the love from a fanbase that has only grown in their absence. Their music, with its potent blend of jazz, hip-hop, and social commentary, continues to resonate with listeners old and new.
“This music has lasted in a way we couldn’t have imagined,” Butler marvels. “As long as people ask us to perform it, we’ll answer. It’s the realization of my wildest dream.”
With rumors swirling of potential new music on the horizon, Digable Planets’ cosmic journey appears far from over. As they celebrate the 30th anniversary of Blowout Comb this week, one thing is certain: the world is ready to embrace these hip-hop icons once again.
