When people think of Jazz-Rap, there are a few groups whose status as legends of the genre can not be denied. Digable Planets are absolutely among them.
With unparalleled smoothness, the Brooklyn-based trio of Ishmael “Butterfly” Butler, Mariana “Ladybug Mecca” Vieira, and Craig “Doodlebug” Irving glide over beats that could only be constructed by the most fanatical of crate diggers on their two studio albums “Reachin’ (A New Refutation Of Time And Space)” and “Blowout Comb”. Unfortunately for fans, the group stopped recording music after the release of their second album. However, many rap fans will know Ishmael Butler for his art-rap project Shabazz Palaces (and maybe even for being the father of emo-rapper Lil Tracy).
The significance of both Digable Planets and Jazz-Rap as a whole makes the music worth diving into for any hip-hop fan, especially those who already enjoy the work of groups like A Tribe Called Quest or De La Soul.
The classic Jazz-Rap of Digable Planets’ “Blowout Comb” is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a US tour, including a show at the Lincoln Theater on Nov. 18th. Tickets are still available here, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the show slated to begin at 8:00 p.m.