"If you want the truth, you have to step up wise. Being wise means paying attention to your inner god/goddess and listening to the many great spirits that offer protection and guidance at will.” -ladybug mecca

We all know of the cultured and radiant lady of of one of the most influential hip-hop groups the Digable Planets. Mary Ann Vieira, a.k.a Lady Bug Mecca's lyrics flows like water, her natural beauty is uplifting, and she has managed to express her music career into a positive statement of what real hip-hop is all about and express & celebrate the art and the spirituality of her culture, all while maintaining a holistic home as a wife and mother. Her latest album “Trip The Light Fantastic” is an amazing album that is overflowing with conscious words and seems to blend her Brazilian culture, jazz, and hip-hop into an eclectic and outstanding collection of songs. Tracks like: “Children Say”, “Show The World”, “Leaving It All Behind”, Center of Nowhere, and “You Never Get Over It”, are all the more reasons to grab her album.

Ladybug chats a bit with us about her life, holistics, and her spirituality. Enjoy!

ymib: Favorite affirmation or inspirational quote?

Lady Bug: Just BE.

ymib: How would you best describe your purpose/mission in life?

Lady Bug: My purpose is to enjoy this life, live it as best I can, be mindful of the decisions that I make, assist those around me when I can and to give back.

ymib: Do you still home-school your children, and what sort of things did you do or do within your days that made/make homeschooling creative for you and your family?

Lady Bug: My children attend a homeschooling center now that I am so busy again. In a nutshell, the school allows children to self-direct their learning while participating as an active member in the community as well as running the day to day of the school.

ymib: Favorite holistic / vegan recipe and/or products?

Lady Bug: Vegan Mac and Cheese is a home favorite. I use silken tofu with vegan cheddar cheese, sea salt, blk pepper, and cooked rice macaroni. They also love my veggie casseroles. “We are all vegan, I really try very hard to keep them away from the programming, just guide them in life the best I can. It's really difficult, because everywhere you turn its like programming. I keep a vegan diet. It's a very big part of our lives. Staying as natural as possible with the children and with our lives, trying to keep as pure as possible, not polluting my body with toxins, even soaps and stuff, that's just poison for your skin. I fast a lot, not the cant' eating food, but raw fruits and vegetables, raw juicing, uncooked foods. A lot of water, & enemas.

ymib: How would you describe your spiritual life, and what things do you like to keep around your home or adorn yourself with to keep a reflection of your spiritual connection?

Life to me is one constant meditation, but I do take the time to sit and give thanks to my ancestors. -ladybug mecca

Lady Bug: I strive to make time to be still to bring a balance to my busy life. We also keep the memory of our ancestors alive with a special loft area in my home for them.

ymib: How do you feel about the current state of mainstream music?

Lady Bug: I feel that it is what it is and I'm just appreciative that I still have an avenue to release my music.

"I've always been fascinated by things that are innovative, and at this point in my life I'm about expressing everything I'm about." -ladybug mecca

ymib: How would you describe your home birth and the process of labor when bringing your children into the world, and do you have nay advice for mothers who would like to have a natural home birth?

Lady Bug: My home birth was great, one of the best parts was having my mate there with me. My advice would be to do as much research so that you can be empowered with information. That knowledge made me aware of what was to come. I watched lots of videos of Women who delivered their own babies. It was great to not have to be confined to a bed in the hospital, infact I walked the entire time, drank fresh juices, ate as I pleased. Gravity was my best friend and made the birth move quickly! I did whatever my body told me to do in order to feel comfortable, whatever made sense.

ymib: What have been some of the most inspiring / motivational books/albums/movies that you have come into an encounter with thus far?

Lady Bug: I really love Nas and Lupe Fiasco”s music, I feel like we have the same eyes, see the same things, and feel deeply about those things.

ymib: What would be your fondest memory of your mother and what did you learn from her about motherhood, womanhood, and/or life that you would want another woman to know?

Lady Bug: I always knew that I could talk to my mom and get great advice. She never put pressure on me to be more like someone else, or to achieve what she feels I should. She just let me be, guided me when I needed it and supported me unconditionally, even when I messed up real bad. That’s why I am the way I am with my children, so trusting, and I strive to not undermine their self-esteem.

ymib: What does the future career and life look like for Ladybug Mecca?

Lady Bug: Just a lot of good music, good times, with family and friends. More traveling, definitely!

ymib: Other than music, how do you like to express your creativity and connection to your culture?

Lady Bug: Lots of Black Love, Traveling, Writing a book, conversation, reading, playing with the kids, a lot of outdoor gardening.