Trading Words: Ladybug Mecca

The trading words series of articles features an artist’s words – uncensored, exactly as they are presented to EnterSoundbooth.com.  This month’s feature has been a staple of hip-hop culture as one of the members of Digable Planets, the iconic hip-hop group who won a Grammy in 1993 for their hit “The Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat).”

After the demise of Digible Planets (attributed to creative differences and personal factors) Mary Ann "Ladybug Mecca" Vieira has continued upon her journey to ink her name all over hip-hop culture. Her melodic voice and unique perspective led her to continue in pursuit of a solo album, and she committed herself to the studio while keeping her voice firmly ingrained in the minds of hip-hop heads through strategic guest vocals with N'Dea Davenport and Carmen Rizzo.  Finally, in 2005, Ladybug Mecca dropped “Trip the Light Fantastic” through Nu Paradigm Entertainment.

“Trip the Light Fantastic” is a soundscape that astro-projects listeners into Ladybug Mecca’s galaxy: a unique journey that encompasses everything from spoken word to rap to gently spit lyrics over a latin-influenced beat. With tracks like “Sweet and Polite,” “You Never Get Over It,” and “Dogg Starr” the album explores the boundries of hip-hop culture through Mecca’s eclectic perspective.

EnterSoundBooth sent Ladybug Mecca a series of questions, designed to explore the roots of Ladybug Mecca, and her perspectives on love, light, life, and hip-hop.

ENTERSOUNDBOOTH: How did you choose the moniker, Ladybug Mecca? What does it represent to you?

LADYBUG MECCA: Ladybug Mecca is the vehicle in which I choose to express myself. She represents the woman that defines her own life even if it means breaking so-called barriers and rules to instigate change.

ESB: Do you consider yourself an artist in any other forms? Painting, design, spoken word? What speaks to you artistically?

LM:  I was born tapping into my creativity and could never have been a 9-5er for the rest of my life. I appreciate all forms of art.

ESB: On your site, you are described as “regularly rewriting [your] agreement with reality.” Why did you choose to describe yourself this way? Was there an event or catalyst that led you to believe that reality is malleable, or has this always been your world view? 

LM: Change is constant. I like to keep moving and not be stuck in old paradigms, always been that way.

ESB: After rising to fame with the critically acclaimed group Digable Planets, how does it feel to launch a solo effort? 

LM: Feels like a weight has been lifted, a door has been opened and good things are to come.

ESB: What prompted you to go solo?

LM: It’s a natural progression for me. This has been a long time coming.

ESB: How do you feel like your work is being received, particularly with the current climate of hip-hop and hip-hop culture? It is almost as if you are an underground artist, even though you have won a Grammy and almost all hip-hop heads above the age of 15 can hum the melody for “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)?”

LM: Excellent by those that know it’s out.

ESB: How long did it take to conceive this album? What sticks out in your mind the most when you remember putting the album together?

LM: This album has been in the making since I was a young girl. Being pregnant and my son dancing in my womb every time I thought of music.

ESB: What were your favorite tracks to record? 

LM: All of them.

ESB: Can you dscuss the influences that prompted you to record and produce the following tracks?
Sweet and Polite

LM: Ommas (producer) passed this on to me and I knew right away that he overstood [sic] me musically. Writing this was a breeze for real.

Sometimes
LM: Just wanted a cool out, feel good hip hop record.
Sexual Alchemy

LM: Inspired by the explosion of Love and Lust and that place you get to when your [sic] with that person you care so deeply for.

ESB: How did the “Dogg Starr” remixes come about? How did you end up collaborating with Raheem DeVaughn (one of our local favorites)?

LM:  I asked my boy Kenny Dope to remix the song and he put it all together with Raheem and I love him for it cause Raheem is amazing.

ESB: The predominant image of a hip-hopper normally lends itself to a black male. What are your experiences being (1) latina and (2) a female in what some consider to be an extremely male dominated industry?

LM: Images have been lying for a long time. I am afro-brasilian so I don’t view myself different from black men. We are all of African decent. 

Some boys don’t want to let women into their club unless they pull the strings. In my experience, I’m down with those who are down with me. I get a lot of respect from top cats in the industry who know what’s up with me point being I’m not allowing ignorance to define me or what I’m going to do with my life and career.

ESB: Considering the changing climate of mainstream hip-hop, do you still identify as a hip hopper?

LM: Yes I do, I definetly [sic] do.

ESB: How do you define hip-hop, both as an art form, and as a culture?

LM: Hip Hop is an artform that is very vast and always expanding it encompases [sic] Music, breakdancing, graffiti, fashion, djing, film and TV, etc..

ESB: What do you feel needs to happen in order for hip-hop to evolve to the next level?

LM: Healthy competition needs to be bigger louder and stronger, it creates good music and inspires artists and listeners.

[ESB]
Look for the forth-coming EP Vinyl release from Ladybug with a remix of "Dogg Starr" by Kenny Dope featuring Raheem Devaughn.

Also check out the two new music videos Ladybug has released for "You Never Get Over It" and "Dogg Starr" in support of her solo album. You can pick up  Ladybug Mecca of Digable Planets's album "Trip the Light Fantastic" and Digable Planets "Beyond the Spectrum-The Creamy Spy Chronicles, both in stores now.

To find out more about Ladybug Mecca, including release dates and updated news, log onto www.ladybugmecca.com or www.myspace.com/ladybugmecca.