By Stranga The Great
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer
Back in 1993, Digable Planets debuted and became cult legends who are still going strong, to this day. Ten years ago, the group released their last album, Beyond The Spectrum, their third effort. In the decade since this album release, Digable Planets have reunited, a few times.
Doodlebug emerged and has done his solo thing for quite some time and he is more recently known as Cee Knowledge. Over the course of his solo career, Cee Knowledge released two albums. Outside of releasing albums, he often tours.
Recently, Cee Knowledge spoke to Hip Hop Vibe about Digable Planets and their history. During the interview, Cee Knowledge discussed his prior moniker, Doodlebug, and much more. He also explained the early days of his career and uniting with the group.
Read the entire interview below:
You have a long history in the entertainment industry. Can you briefly explain how you got your start in hip hop? I got my start as a DJ around 12 years old in Philly. I would DJ my middle school parties because I was the only one in my class with an extensive record collection which was mainly “borrowed” from my moms collection and a turntable, which I also “borrowed” from my mother (laughs). I eventually began to write songs and raps and retired from the deejay gig and became a master of ceremonies which led me to meet Ishmael Butler aka Butter, Mary Ann Vieira aka Ladybug and the Digable Planets were formed.
What were some of the earliest obstacles you guys ran into as a group when you formed Digable Planets? In the beginning our style was perceived by some to be the antithesis of what mainstream hip hop was supposed to sound like and because of that industry types had a hard time putting us into a tangible category that could be marketed to the masses and translate into record sales. Luckily, we met Dennis Weaver A&R for Pendulum Records who believed in our sound and signed us.
Who inspired the moniker Doodlebug and how did you go from that name to being known more recently as Cee Knowledge? The name Doodlebug was inspired by the character in a 1973 Pam Grier film called “Cleopatra Jones” where actor Antonio Fargas played a drug dealer named Doodlebug and was the main villain. I have been known as Cee Knowledge long before I started using the moniker Doodlebug. In fact I changed my name to Cee Knowledge Born Allah in 1986 while attending Howard University in Washington DC.
I’ve had the pleasure of opening up for you guys in Austin, Texas before. It was an electric experience seeing the band perform. How did you develop the style that your known for and how do you continue to reinvent the movement? Our style was developed from the love of music that our parents instilled in us from early on. I remember my mom playing everything from Coltrane, Bessie Smith, Sinatra, Hall and Oates, Motown and Parliament Funkadelic in our house and I absorbed all dat shit! (Laughs) you reinvent the movement by having the guts to reinvent yourself and I think all of us (Digable Planets) have embraced that challenge.
Can you tell us a little bit about The Cosmic Funk All Stars and what you guys have going on currently? After the Digable Planets broke up I didn’t know what I wanted to do with myself musically so I took a break and moved back to Washington, D.C. where I teamed up with engineer/producer Mike Hughes (R.I.P) of Renegade studios and local promoter Ernie Dozier and we began to develop new artists which inspired me to get back in the studio and work on my own new music. I formed the Cosmic Funk Orchestra in 2000 along with my longtime friends Kai Chi, J Truth, Jah Sun, Lauretta Gooden and 5 musicians that made up the band. We connected with Brandon Rossi of Farmhouse productions who helped us acquire a tour bus, record a new album and book our own cross country tour. Over the years the CFO still tours and records music with new members Sabrina Cuie (vocalist), Gary Dann (drums), Adam Charlton (guitars) and Mitch Beer (bass + moog). CFO has a new album out now on BlingNot Media called “To Life Love and Loot” available at www.cosmicfunkorchestra.com and of course iTunes and Google Play.
What has been the main difference in being independent as opposed to having a larger machine behind you? The biggest difference producing music independently is the amount of marketing dollars you have to spend to get your name out there. You are limited as an independent artist when it comes to certain major market outlets and P1 radio stations but if you’re smart and creative you can navigate your way quite profitably through the underground scene. Also, you have much more control over your own career and creative ideas when you are an indie artist but you must surround ya self with self motivated individuals who believe in your musical vision and business model.
Do you have any artists in today’s mainstream or underground scene that you are actually a fan of their sound? I don’t listen to the radio much but I am a fan of the Roots for their music and their business hustle. If you’re talking mainstream then I gotta say I like Fabolous, J Cole, The Game, The Weeknd and I can’t front I like a few of Drake’s and Lil Weezy’s jawns too (Laughs).
Do you have any thoughts on the recent death of Sean Price? It was tragic hearing about the death of Sean Price. I was a big fan and supporter of his music from Heltah Skeltah to his solo projects. I met him in passing by way of my man Suliman the Bronx Ripper during my days living in Brooklyn. Much respect to the entire Duck Down family and my condolences to the Price family!
Are you proud of the career that you have had and is there anything else that you think you can add to your legacy in music before it’s all said and done? I’m very proud of my legacy thus far in music because I was able to do it my way the entire time. I was never made to do anything that I didn’t believe in and had creative license to do what my heart desired and was successful at it. I still have a lot to give and a lot to learn and when the final chapter is written in my life’s book I hope that I’m well remembered and am able to leave some tangible gift for my kids to inherit and expand on.
Can you tell the fans how they can connect with you on social media? You can get at me digitally on Facebook @Cee Knowledge which is the fan page or @Doodlebug Irving; Twitter @ceeknowledge; Instagram @officialdoodlebug.
Watch “Bandits” by Cee Knowledge and The Cosmic Funk Orchestra below:
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