Digable Planets Keep It Cool in Annapolis
Words by Rahsaan “Wordslave” Eldridge
Pictures by Steve Satzberg
Ishmael “Butterfly” Butler, Craig “Doodlebug” Irving, and Mary Ann “Ladybug Mecca” Vieira, collectively known as Digable Planets, recently came to Annapolis’ Maryland Hall as part of their North American tour celebrating their albums Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space) and Blowout Comb.
The trio arrived in Annapolis on August 5 with a show that showcased the laid-back grooves, jazz-inflected rhythms and effortless cool that have defined their sound for decades.
Local favorite singer-songwriter Madisun Bailey opened the show with buttery vocals and soothing acoustic guitar. Jay Crawdads deejayed between acts, keeping it funky with gems from James Brown, D’Angelo, Common, De La Soul and Talib Kweli.
Digable Planets’ signature sound of heavy bass and syncopated rhythms was exquisitely executed by a five-member backing band, with several members pulling double duty. Bass, drums, guitar, keys and saxophone were reinforced by an electronic wind instrument (EWI), auxiliary keys and percussion. Butterfly folded in extra texture with sounds from a beat machine.
A gradual swell in energy kept the evening’s vibe both chill and dynamic. The enveloping soundscape of “Jettin’” was a sonic menagerie that felt like riding shotgun through the boroughs of New York City. The energy increased on “Dog It,” with hands waving and heads nodding to the boom of the kick and the crack of the snare.
Watch Digable Planets perform “Dog It” live for Pitchfork on YouTube:
“Graffiti” was a walk through a dark alley. The bassline crept up and down the scale, while the rimshot made room for chants of “noise, noise, noise” from the trio.
“Annapolis, if you’re in the building, make some noise!” Doodlebug shouted.
“Let’s go!” someone volleyed from the darkness.
The conversation continued as the crowd sang along to the chorus of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s “The Message,” woven into “9th Wonder.” “Escapism” highlighted the musicians with exquisite solos from Matt Wong on keys, Carlos Overall on saxophone and EWI, and Thaddeus “Thadillac” Turner on guitar.
From the opening downbeat, the audience rapped along and bounced their arms like hydraulics. The night culminated in a sea of peace signs held aloft for the finale, Digable Planets’ Grammy Award-winning single “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat).”
Here are some photos of Digable Planet performing live at Maryland Hall on August 5, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
Here are some photos of Madisun Bailey performing live at Maryland Hall on August 5, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
Here are some photos of DJ Crawdads performing live at Maryland Hall on August 5, 2026. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
