Ladybug Mecca Tells Us Why it Was Time for a Digable Planets Reunion Tour

Matt Matasci

Digable Planets made a name for themselves within the alternative hip-hop movement of the early 90s, scoring a minor hit with “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat).” Made up of three members: Mary Ann “Ladybug Mecca” Vieira, Ishmael “Butterfly” Butler and Craig “Doodlebug” Irving, the group released just two albums, 1993’s “Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space)” and 1994’s “Blowout Comb.” The group then disbanded in order for the members to pursue solo careers. Digable Planets recently got back together with the original lineup for the first time in 11 years. Ladybug Mecca took the time to speak with Entertainment Voice about the tour and future plans for the trio.

You’ve reunited the original lineup of Digable Planets for festivals and one-off shows in the past but this is the first full tour with the original lineup in 11 years. What inspired you three to get together again for a full tour?

Well, I would say timing. The timing in my life, the timing in their lives, it all just kind of made sense. So after the Seattle show, we just went for it. I think it all kind of hit us at the same time after that show. Because it had been a minute since I performed with them, I know they had someone else on the road. But it all just hit us. I mean everyone was pretty happy after that show, I know Ish was talking about how he promises not to take anyone for granted again and he was just super excited like “wahhh!”

Was it difficult to get in sync with Doodlebug and Butterfly preparing for the reunion shows and this tour or does the chemistry come to you three easily?

I would say it came naturally, but not to say it didn’t take work. But it wasn’t difficult; it wasn’t a hurdle to get over. It was just being around each other and getting to know each other again and see where we are at after all these years.

Performing Digable Planets songs must take you back a bit to a different period of your life; do you feel you have changed as an artist and a person since that time?

Well over time I’ve grown as a person and as an artist and explored different avenues of creativity, different styles of music. I’ve collaborated with other creative people. So definitely a different understanding of production and songwriting and knowing and understanding myself better, my voice better, understanding my insight and my opinion and expression better. So it all adds to it.

Do you find that the hip-hop scene has changed since you disbanded after “Blowout Comb” in 1994 and in what ways?

As they say, change is something that is constant in the universe, so of course it’s changed. It’s changed musically and it’s changed consciously in terms of what is pushed to the forefront. So much has changed. But I think a great positive is having the internet and allowing consumers access to other music that’s not on the radio or right in front of your face or shoved down your throat. You can get online and find whole catalogues and go far, far, far back from your living room.

Do you find that the crowds at these shows are more made up of older fans from the 90’s or newer, younger hip-hop fans?

I think it’s been a mix. And people have been telling me after shows, people that wanted to tell us how great the show was, are always like ‘I can’t believe the age range that is here.’ We’ve got older and younger people. It seems to be introduced to the younger generations through parents and siblings, so we are getting a nice mix. It’s pretty incredible. And it takes it back to technology because there was a kid that was 15 at our show and I asked him, ‘How did you hear about us?’ And he says ‘Pandora!’ It just opened up a whole new world of hip-hop for him.

Today your newest group BROOKZILL! announced a first show and debut album plus released the “BROOKZILL! Mixtape #2 – Ladybug Mecca Mix.” Would you tell me about how this collective came together, who is involved and what roles they play?

BROOKZILL involves Prince Paul, myself, Rodrigo Brandão aka Gorila Urbano and Don Newkirk. Scotty Hart is a real integral part of it too, he’s an engineer who has worked with Paul for many years and worked with Rodrigo also. Rodrigo and Paul met in Sao Paulo and talked about working on music many years ago. They ended up working on the production side of it and then they pulled in myself and Don Newkirk to conceptualize and lay vocals. That’s kind of how it all started. Rodrigo and I are the vocalists and we rhyme in Portuguese and English so it’s a multi-lingual album that touches on world music but is hip-hop as well.

We fuse traditional old traditional Brazilian spiritual music that’s influence is kind of like Afro-Brazilian inspired, with hip-hop. And it just makes for a real unique and interesting sound. We’re super happy and been rehearsing and we are going to perform on the 14th and really looking forward to that. It’s really great working with those guys, we’re all at the point in our careers where we’ve all been screwed at one point so it’s nice to just be with a group of people that respect you from jump, and through-and-through. It’s a beautiful family vibe with all of us.    

You are all busy with your own groups and projects, but can Digable Planets fans hope for any new music from you three in the future?

I don’t want to make any promises; I’m not saying it is off the table. But what we are doing is just focusing on the present moment. It’s just like right here and right now. We’ve discussed it here and there, but right now we have to focus on making sure that all of this can work on another level. If we can get past step A, then we can get to B and C. But I’m not saying it’s not possible, it’s looking good, but we’re just taking it day by day, moment by moment.