The group first took shape in the early ‘90s, in New York City. Former Seattle resident Butterfly (a k a Ishmael Butler) hooked up with Philadelphia native Doodlebug (Craig Irving), who was a member of New York collective Dread Poets Society, and Ladybug (Mary Ann Vieira), a Maryland denizen of Brazilian descent. Like the name chosen for their band, the new handles each member adopted also reflected a universal consciousness.
“Insects stick together and work for mutually beneficial causes,” Ladybug observed in Essence. Doodlebug added, “Humans are supposed to be the most intelligent beings on the planet, and yet we can’t seem to come together in a peaceful manner.”
On their 1993 debut, Reachin' (A New Refutation Of Time And Space), the threesome showed just how rich and vibrant the musical product of three distinctive minds working in harmony could be. Musically, they incorporated elements of funk, samba, and psychedelia into their street-savvy hip-hop; jazz, in particular, played a pivotal role. The group gave shout-outs to icons Charles Mingus and Charlie Parker, and sampled others, including Sonny Rollins and the Last Poets.
“Like hip-hop, they developed a language and style that was unique,” noted Butterfly of their jazz forefathers. “Those cats used their vernacular to communicate a new perspective.” With unabashedly intelligent lyrical references to everything from Karl Marx (on the reggae-tinged “Where I'm From“) and Jimi Hendrix, to feminist bell hooks and poet Nikki Giovanni, the Planets boldly followed suit.
Critics responded to the Planets’ debut platter enthusiastically. “Reachin' (A New Refutation Of Time And Space) is everything hip-hop should be: artistically sound, unabashedly conscious and downright cool,” proclaimed Kevin Powell in a four-star review for Rolling Stone. “And Digable Planets is the kind of rap act every fan should cram to understand.” The record would eventually hit #15 on the Billboard 200, break the Top 5 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and achieve Platinum sales status.
Buoyed up by a bubbling bass line and curlicues of brass (the latter lifted from a sample of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers), and peppered with finger-pops, the sublimely chill single “Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" became the album’s biggest hit. It peaked at #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, winning legions of fans across a variety of radio formats as well as in clubs. The track deservedly earned the 1993 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
After touring extensively, accompanied by a live band, the trio returned to the studio, emerging in 1994 with their sophomore outing, Blowout Comb. Even more so than its predecessor, the Planets’ second full-length pushed stylistic boundaries. The group downplayed samples in favor of live performances: “Dog It“ juxtaposed animated sax and vibraphone turns (by Donald “Duck” Harrison and Bill Lounge, respectively) with a slightly harder vocal style, while sultry, summery singing on “Dial 7 (Axioms Of Creamy Spies)" evoked an air of vintage ‘70s soul. Special guests on the Blowout Comb sessions included Brooklyn rapper Jeru The Damaja (”Graffiti“) and pioneering female hip-hop DJ Jazzy Joyce (”9th Wonder (Blackitolism)“), who also toured with the group.
Although Digable Planets dissolved in 1996, all three members have remained active musically. Butterfly went on to form the band Cherrywine, releasing the album Bright Black in 2003. He also composed music for commercial clients including Pepsi and Fila, and ventured into acting, with roles in film (the 2002 Sundance fave I Am Ali) and Off Broadway. Mecca the Ladybug – now Ladybug Mecca – dropped her new solo album, Trip The Light Fantastic, in June, 2005 on her very own record label “Nu Paradigm Entertainment”. She also composed the score for a short film entitled “The Monster” courtesy of “Scenarios USA” - Kids Creating Social Change in 2001. A segment of the film was featured on ABC World News Tonight with Peter Jennings. She can also be spotted in Snoop Dogg's Video "Candy," the result of one of her lyrics being sampled for this song. Working as Cee Knowledge, Doodlebug has been leading Philadelphia live hip-hop ensemble Cosmic Funk Orchestra since 2000. In addition Doodlebug is actively the CEO of the successful multimedia company “7 and a Cresent”. But most importantly for Digable Planets fans worldwide, the original trio recently reformed to play a number of well-received live dates (including Lollapalooza 2005), and begin work on their first album in over a decade.
(2) Though they were not the first to synthesize jazz and hip-hop, Digable Planets epitomized the laid-back charm of jazz hipsters better than any group before or since. The trio's 1993 debut album, Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space), was a mellow ride packed with samples from Art Blakey, Sonny Rollins, and Curtis Mayfield, and the single "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)" became a Top 20 pop hit. After earning a Grammy for Best New Duo or Group and embarking on an ambitious tour that included several live musicians, the Planets returned in late 1994 with their best album yet. Blowout Comb continued the group's jazz-rap fusion, but also saw them branching out to embrace the old school sound of the street as well.
Digable Planets formed in the early '90s, when Butterfly (b. Ishmael Butler, Brooklyn, NY) met Ladybug (b. Mary Ann Vieira, Silver Springs, MD) while attending college in Massachusetts. The two later hooked up with Doodlebug (b. Craig Irving, Philadelphia, PA), in Washington, D.C., and began recording. Their first single, "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)," released on the Pendulum subsidiary of Warner, hit the R&B Top Ten while their debut, Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space), was a critical and commercial success. Digable Planets' resulting tour had a laid-back vibe more in keeping with a jazz show than any hip-hop concert, though the live musicians were criticized for doing little more than re-creating samples from the album. The trio solved that problem with the release of their second album, Blowout Comb, in late 1994. Much stronger than its predecessor, it used fewer samples and even included several solos. With no strong single to carry it, however, Blowout Comb's sales performance was not up to that of Reachin'. After Blowout Comb, Digable Planets basically dissolved due to the dreaded "creative differences". All three continued making music separately, but despite many promises that the recordings would become actual releases, nearly a decade passed before releases appeared from Butterfly's Cherrywine project, Ladybug's new billing Ladybug Mecca, and Doodlebug's Cee Knowledge. Then, just a few weeks shy of the ten-year anniversary of Blowout Comb, the three announced that they had reunited to record their third Digable Planets album. A compilation, Beyond the Spectrum: The Creamy Spy Chronicles, filled the gap while fans waited for its release. ~ John Bush, Rovi
Pacifics
Digable Planets Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pulling from the jazz stacks cause it's Sunday
On the air is incense, sounds to the ceiling
Tried to get this feeling since Monday
Looking out the window watching all the people go
Bugging off a funny vibe cause now it seems they're equal
Wonder what would Trane say wonder what my pop say
Bugging off the calmness in the Apple
I'm chilling in New York
The hoods is on my block and the brother's at the court
The baseball hats is on and the projects is calm
Dreamtime's extended and highly recommended
But early birds like me's up checking out the scene
The early worms jog, forget about your job
Just come dig the essence while the decadence is hidden
When people act like people, the theory is in pigeon
If you know the norm it's like Hades transformed
On Sunday's early hours the city sprouts its flowers
So get with the rhythms while you getting with the Planets
Vibe off the jams but don't take em for granted, just chill
We venture through the streets in search of funky beats
Extensive is the travels and it's heavy on the sneaks
Ye it's kicking out the speakers of the Sunday morning jeepers
My man do Planets do it lovely
Am I my brother's keeper
We foot it to the park where the swoon units walk
And sit with the phoenicians digging on musicians
Hanging with the rebels sipping on a Snapple
Bugging with my crew just tripping in the Apple
You be thinking peace when you're vibing with your flock
But you be thinking damn everybody got a Glock
If you got some beef please express that in silence
Or else, violence
But right here is the life, it's the children of the concrete
Living off the fruits and the functions of the fat beats
Hip-hop's all around, the members is growing
Please dig on the sounds cause the good vibes they snowing, so chill
Wake up, praying that the game's on
Maybe it's the Running Rebs, maybe it's the Knicks
Maybe it's a rerun of an old TV show
Like Hawaii 5-0 or karate flicks
Maybe if the phone rings Butterfly will take wings
Speaking on some cool things fronting like I cope
Born unto flat ground now I'm chilling shaky ground
Reaching for Pacific Heights Sunday is my rope, dig it
Sunday's to relax
Sunday's to relax
Some Sunday morning drama is calling up my Mama
The hot line is in I guess the ? knew the deal
Vibing off the jams of the crews on Sugarhill
Lay around and think ain't nothing to do
Checking out some Fromm, some Sartre, Camus
Mingus' Ah Um, damn Roach can drum
The DP's are life, there they go, here they come
It's time to grab some loot, put on the Timber boots
Checking out some Dali's like Tasha and Kamali
New York is a museum with its posters and graffiti
If you're in the city on Sunday
Come check me, get with me
The song "Pacifics" by Digable Planets is a tribute to the band's hometown of New York City. The lyrics describe a lazy Sunday spent lounging around, listening to jazz music, and observing the multifaceted city life happening outside. The verses are full of contemplative observations about the people, the vibe, and the environment, interspersed with a sense of appreciation for the small pleasures of life. The refrain, "Sunday's to relax," underscores this sentiment of taking a moment to slow down and appreciate the world around us.
The song's title is a reference to the Pacific Ocean, which is on the opposite coast from New York City. This reference symbolizes the desire to escape the city's hectic atmosphere and find some peace and relaxation. However, the song also emphasizes the importance of appreciating the unique aspects of one's own environment, no matter how bustling or chaotic it may seem.
In conclusion, "Pacifics" is a contemplative and upbeat song that celebrates the beauty and complexity of life in New York City. It invites listeners to slow down, take a breath, and appreciate the small moments of joy that can be found amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life.
Line by Line Meaning
Butterfly searching for a relax
Butterfly is looking for a way to unwind
Pulling from the jazz stacks cause it's Sunday
Listening to jazz records on Sunday is a common way of enjoying the day
On the air is incense, sounds to the ceiling
The smell of incense mixes with the music in the air, creating a relaxing atmosphere
Tried to get this feeling since Monday
Butterfly has been trying to achieve this level of relaxation since the beginning of the week
Looking out the window watching all the people go
Butterfly observes people going about their day from his window
Bugging off a funny vibe cause now it seems they're equal
Butterfly is taken aback by the sense of equality he sees in the people outside
Wonder what would Trane say wonder what my pop say
Butterfly wonders what John Coltrane and his own father would think of the scene he sees outside
Bugging off the calmness in the Apple
Butterfly is struck by the peacefulness of New York City (the Big Apple)
Who me I'm cooling in New York
Butterfly is relaxing in New York City
The hoods is on my block and the brother's at the court
There are people hanging out on Butterfly's block, and others playing basketball at the court
The baseball hats is on and the projects is calm
People are wearing baseball hats, and the projects (low-income housing) seem quiet
Dreamtime's extended and highly recommended
It is recommended to spend a long time dreaming and relaxing
But early birds like me's up checking out the scene
Butterfly is an early riser and likes to see what's happening outside
The early worms jog, forget about your job
People who wake up early can go for a jog and forget about their work responsibilities
Just come dig the essence while the decadence is hidden
Enjoy the essence of the city while ignoring its decadence
When people act like people, the theory is in pigeon
When people behave normally, theories are no longer relevant
If you know the norm it's like Hades transformed
The normalcy of the scene can be otherworldly
On Sunday's early hours the city sprouts its flowers
New York City's beauty shines on Sunday mornings
So get with the rhythms while you getting with the Planets
Enjoy the music while also enjoying Digable Planets' unique sound
Vibe off the jams but don't take em for granted, just chill
Enjoy the music but don't take it for granted – just relax and enjoy the day
We venture through the streets in search of funky beats
The artist is searching for good music in the streets
Extensive is the travels and it's heavy on the sneaks
Walking around the city to find good music is a lot of work
Ye it's kicking out the speakers of the Sunday morning jeepers
The music is so good that it's blasting out of people's cars
My man do Planets do it lovely
Digable Planets makes really good music
Am I my brother's keeper
Do I need to take responsibility for my brother's actions?
We foot it to the park where the swoon units walk
The singer and his friends walk to the park, where attractive people hang out
And sit with the phoenicians digging on musicians
The singer and his friends sit with some cool people who appreciate good music
Hanging with the rebels sipping on a Snapple
The artist and his friends are hanging out with rebellious people and drinking Snapple
Bugging with my crew just tripping in the Apple
The artist and his friends are having a good time in New York City
You be thinking peace when you're vibing with your flock
When you're with your friends, you feel a sense of peace
But you be thinking damn everybody got a Glock
But then you remember that everyone has a gun (Glock) and it ruins the sense of peace
If you got some beef please express that in silence
If you have a problem with someone, don't start a fight – talk about it calmly
Or else, violence
Things will escalate quickly if you resort to violence
But right here is the life, it's the children of the concrete
This is life in the city, where people live surrounded by concrete buildings
Living off the fruits and the functions of the fat beats
City dwellers make the most of the good music around them
Hip-hop's all around, the members is growing
Hip-hop culture is thriving and growing in the city
Please dig on the sounds cause the good vibes they snowing, so chill
Enjoy the music and the good vibes that come along with it
Wake up, praying that the game's on
When waking up on Sunday morning, the singer hopes that there's a good game (sporting event) to watch
Maybe it's the Running Rebs, maybe it's the Knicks
The singer hopes that either the UNLV Runnin' Rebels or the New York Knicks are playing
Maybe it's a rerun of an old TV show
If there's no good game on TV, maybe an old TV show will be rerun
Like Hawaii 5-0 or karate flicks
Shows like Hawaii Five-O and martial arts movies are good options if nothing else is on TV
Maybe if the phone rings Butterfly will take wings
If someone calls the singer, he might feel inspired to do something (like go out)
Speaking on some cool things fronting like I cope
The singer talks about cool things, but he's not really sure how to handle them
Born unto flat ground now I'm chilling shaky ground
The artist used to live in a flat area, but now he's living in a more unstable place
Reaching for Pacific Heights Sunday is my rope, dig it
The artist is aiming to live a better life in a place like Pacific Heights, and Sunday is his escape from his current situation
Sunday's to relax
The purpose of Sunday is to unwind and relax
Sunday's to relax
The purpose of Sunday is to unwind and relax (repeated for emphasis)
Some Sunday morning drama is calling up my Mama
Sometimes on Sunday mornings there's family drama that the artist's mother gets involved in
The hot line is in I guess the ? knew the deal
The situation has escalated to the point where the singer's mother is involved
Vibing off the jams of the crews on Sugarhill
The singer is enjoying the music that's being played in Sugar Hill (a neighborhood in Harlem)
Lay around and think ain't nothing to do
Sometimes there's nothing to do but lie around and think
Checking out some Fromm, some Sartre, Camus
The artist is reading books by philosophers like Erich Fromm, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus
Mingus' Ah Um, damn Roach can drum
The artist has been listening to the jazz album Mingus Ah Um, and is impressed by the drumming of Max Roach
The DP's are life, there they go, here they come
Digable Planets are an important part of the singer's life, and they are coming and going from the scene
It's time to grab some loot, put on the Timber boots
It's time to get some money and put on Timberland boots
Checking out some Dali's like Tasha and Kamali
The artist and his friends are checking out the art of Salvador Dali, as well as artists like Tasha and Kamali
New York is a museum with its posters and graffiti
New York City is like a museum because of its posters and graffiti
If you're in the city on Sunday
If you're in New York City on Sunday
Come check me, get with me
Come find me and hang out with me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HAMILTON FREDERICK BOHANNON, ISHMAEL BUTLER, ISHMAEL R. BUTLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind