Cool is back.

That's right, 10 years after the legendary trio unexpectedly parted ways, '90s hip hop heroes Digable Planets have reunited and appear poised to shake down a whole new generation of music lovers with their inimitable cosmic funk. While doing so, fans who grew up on their two timeless (and incredibly disparate) albums now have reason to spin some of their musical "back when I was your age" yarn. Known for a laid back, jazz-influenced style few in hip hop have ever achieved, the three insects, Ladybug, Doodlebug, and Butterfly had a chemistry on stage and on record that was instantly evident. This is part of the reason why their breakup remains such a mystery to many. In their time apart, each member concentrated on their solo careers, and in fact, continue to do so. But when word got out last year about the group getting back together, heads started to turn - and asses started to shake.

In an effort to introduce the group to new listeners, last month saw the release of Beyond the Spectrum: The Creamy Spy Chronicles. A collection of tunes from the first two albums as well as a handful of unreleased cuts, the album is the perfect way for curious newbies to familiarize themselves with the sound of their funky Planet. Chicago Innerview had the chance to get a few words out of Craig "Doodlebug" Irving (who now goes as Cee-Knowledge) to discuss the current state of affairs within the group and how it's still good to be here.

Chicago Innerview: Digable dissolved right around the time when hip hop started to need you the most. I won't ask how or why, but I'm really curious to learn why the three of you decided to get back together now, 10 years later. I don't think we ever thought it would happen, and after your Lollapalooza performance, it seems as if you haven't missed a beat.
Doodlebug: Thank you very much. It never left us, really. At that time, we were young. We didn't have any real guidance in the entertainment industry in what to do and how to do things. We were just riding the flow. At a point, we got to a couple of bumps and we didn't really know how to deal with them. Things weren't going right and instead of dealing with them as business people, we decided to just step away. It was definitely the wrong decision. It took awhile to finally let some of the stuff go and talk to each other openly. Like, last September we all got together in New York and had a little meeting. After that I put together a tour in Europe. We all went out there and when that happened, I knew that this was real. When I saw everybody standing on stage together rockin' it, it was like we just did a tour two weeks before that, like it never stopped.

Chicago Innerview: Alright then, so how about new material? The second album, Blowout Comb, took such a different direction from Reachin', and I think your longtime listeners would like to be let in on a few secrets as to what you might have in store for a possible new record. Have you guys gotten into the studio yet?
Doodlebug: Nah, we haven't gotten into the studio yet. It was a big enough mission to get us on the same stage! Right now, we've all said that we'd do it, but we're going through things that we have to go through to get to that point. We've been on tour constantly since February and on tour we've come up with ideas that could possibly make it to the next album. We're just trying to get that feeling, that vibe again. There have been a couple of issues and a couple of growing pains that we've had to go through before we get to that point.

Chicago Innerview: When the Planets first came on the scene, you were immediately up against the immensely popular hardcore sound coming from the West Coast. Undeterred, you garnished a huge amount of both critical and commercial success, created a legion of loyal fans, won a Grammy, and were looked at as the kings and queen of cool. Now upon your return, and you probably know this better than anyone, the music industry has completely changed. For starters, it's hard to draw the line of where hip hop ends and pop begins. Assuming you release a new record, what would you consider the biggest roadblock to continued success?
Doodlebug: Hip-hop seems to have a fan base that forgets. They don't even remember some of the people who were out last year, there's such a quick turnover. With us being out so long, I'm not really pressed about the old fans 'cause they're going to be with us. For some reason we have a connection with you cats. I think the roadblock will be how we open it up to the new market to the cats who didn't really grow up on us.

Digable Planets :: Park West :: November 4.