Ladybug Mecca
Interviewed by Janeé Bolden

I was a sophomore in high school when Digable Planets dropped their debut album Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space). "Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)", their first single, hit the R&B Top Ten upon release. Both Reachin’ as well as Digable’s 1994 release Blowout Combs were in constant rotation in my headphones. While both Butterfly and Doodlebug were prone to dropping gems it was the mellow-toned flow of Ladybug Mecca that captivated me. The group disbanded in ’95 but ten years later Digable is gearing up for a reunion tour and Ladybug Mecca is set to drop her first solo joint this June. Taj offered me the opportunity to speak with Ladybug Mecca and I jumped at it. When Ladybug rang me up as scheduled I was immediately disarmed by that same melodious voice, but within a few minutes into our chat I was pleased to discover that the woman who I have long admired from afar is not only just as intelligent and fierce as her rhymes, but very grounded and humorous as well.

DM: So tell me about your new album.

LB: It’s called Trip the Light Fantastic — You know it’s been a long road, a long time coming, but the timing is perfect. This is divine order. I’m really excited about this album and I just want folks to trip the light fantastic with me.

DM: Will people still be hearing the political messages like you were spitting on Reachin’ and Blowout Comb?

LB: This album is more reflective of life. It’s conscious because I’m a conscious person. I’m conscious about what’s going on in my life. I read between the lines. It’s not overtly political but it’s real, it’s life.

DM: Are there specific songs on the album that have a lot of meaning for you?