Music Chose Me: An Interview With Ish "Butterfly" Butler

Ishmael "Butterfly" Butler, the Grammy winning hip-hop artist and one-half the mastermind behind Shabazz Palaces and one-third of Digable Planets, shed some wisdom with me about his experiences first dipping his toe into art over email.

How did you being creating art?

I began creating at birth. My first sounds, I'm told, were sounds of singing. My first creations were in kindergarten, finger painting and dressing myself and trying to get girls I liked to see what I was about.
Why did you choose music as your medium?

Music chose me.

What was your high school experience like?

All basketball and jazz band. It was singularly fun and the pressure of adulthood was held at by the freedom of those days and that irresponsibility was a memorable comfort and space.

What inspires you?

Rhythm, color, dynamic, sound, color and warmth, travel, and of course the one true divine, sweet ladies and the romance therein.

What makes you admire a work of art?

Courage.

What do you consider a great performance?

When an artist transcends physical laws and achieves an ethereal performance.

Do you have any advice for young artists?

Instinct is the path to originality.

Who have you been listening to lately?

Truth Seekers radio podcasts and Part Time Punks podcasts. They are truly the shit.
What are your current projects?
I don't talk about what I'm about to do.

Photo from Rolling Stone.