Digable Planets is one of the most influential and intellectual rap groups to come out of the ’90s. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Digable Planets

Grammy-winning rap trio Digable Planets will play San Antonio outdoor venue The Espee on Saturday, June 21, bringing irresistible grooves, complex rhymes and crate-digging samples.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, April 4. However, prices aren’t yet available. No opener is listed for the show.

Digable Planets burst on the music scene in 1993 with the debut album Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space). The release’s lead single “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)” became a mainstream crossover hit, rising to the No. 15 spot on the Billboard singles chart. The smooth, infectious track with an iconic walking bass line and a horn-fueled hook also won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

The group is comprised of Mariana Vieira (“Ladybug Mecca”), Craig Irving (“Doodlebug”) and Ishmael Butler (“Butterfly”). Butler is also highly acclaimed for his other project, the cerebral hip-hop act Shabazz Palaces.
Digable Planets is credited for playing a role in shaping jazz-rap by sampling Herbie Hancock, Eddie Harris, Sonny Rollins and other jazz greats. The trio is also recognized for contributing to the nascent stage of alternative hip-hop more broadly thanks to its elevated and Afrocentric lyrics.

The Espee is located at St. Paul Square at 1174 E. Commerce Street. The venue has a strict clear-bag policy, so leave the purse at home or make sure it’s see-through.


Ticket prices not yet posted, 8 p.m. Saturday, June 21, The Espee, 1174 E. Commerce St., (210) 226-5700, theespee.com.

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This article appears in Mar 19 – Apr 1, 2025.

Stephanie Koithan is the Digital Content Editor of the San Antonio Current. In her role, she writes about politics, music, art, culture and food. Send her a tip at skoithan@sacurrent.com.