Digable Planets is a rap trio from New York, comprised of Ishmael Butler (also known as Butterfly, also known as Palaceer Lazaro of Shabazz Palaces), Mariana Vieira (also known as Ladybug Mecca), and Craig Irving (also known as Doodlebug). They’re best known for their two classic albums, 1993’s Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) and 1994’s Blowout Comb.

UNIIQU3 is a DJ/singer/dancer/producer/remixer/set designer/stylist from Newark, New Jersey. Her latest release, a collaboration with TT The Artist titled Club Queens Vol I, is out now on Club Queen Records.

Andrew Nosnitsky, also known as noz, is an Oakland-based record store owner. Previously, he spent years writing, interviewing, and blogging about rap for nearly every outlet that you can think of, plus several more. Here is my personal favorite of his essays from that era.

It turns out that Beautiful Swimmers are from DC, the city which has played host to my life's various extremes. Apt, then, that they're peddling nostalgia; the true north towards which all house music is oriented is the disembodied, time-distilled joy of fond recollection with or without any specific object of recall. It's probably intentional - the title doesn't give much away, but the mix is run through with old favorites re-orchestrated for the club (that soca mix of Sweetest Taboo was pulled from here, and it plays directly into an equally-classic treatment of Marvin Gaye's I Want You; shortly thereafter, there's a song by someone named Ariya, which is close enough).

The Important Rappers.