Gorillaz
In 1998, musician Damon Albarn and comic artist Jamie Hewlett met to create a new project that would challenge the manufactured nature of pop music. They watched MTV for hours and found it devoid of substance, which sparked the idea for a virtual band. The duo decided to make a "manufactured band" but one that was interesting rather than hollow. Their first song was called "Ghost Train," later released as a B-side on their single "Rock the House." The visual style evolved from a rejected comic strip called The 16s, conceived by Hewlett with Alan Martin. Albarn recorded the debut album at his Studio 13 in London and Geejam Studios in Jamaica between 1998 and 2000. The EP Tomorrow Comes Today arrived on the 27th of November 2000, introducing the four fictional members: 2-D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle, and Russel Hobbs.
The self-titled Gorillaz album dropped on the 26th of March 2001 and became a major commercial success. It debuted at number three on the UK Albums Chart and number fourteen on the US Billboard 200. Sales exceeded seven million copies worldwide, driven largely by the lead single "Clint Eastwood." American hip-hop producer Dan Nakamura, known as the Automator, joined Albarn after he had completed more than half of the record. Nakamura recruited Del the Funky Homosapien and DJ Kid Koala to help finish the material. The album featured dub, Latin, and punk influences alongside hip hop. A brief tour followed, where Albarn played behind a giant screen while Hewlett projected visuals. He later described this experience as difficult, noting that some nights he wanted to cut through the screen with a knife. The band released a B-sides compilation called G-Sides in December 2001.
Albarn spent most of 2003 touring with his other band Blur before returning to work on a second album. He enlisted Brian Burton, better known as Danger Mouse, to produce Demon Days. The album was released on the 11th of May 2005 and debuted at number one in the UK and number six in the US. It went six times platinum in Britain and double platinum in America. The lead single "Feel Good Inc." topped Billboard's Alternative Songs chart for eight consecutive weeks. Albarn described the album as an allegory for living in a world in a state of night, influenced by a train journey through rural China. Live performances were limited to a five-night residency at the Manchester Opera House in November 2005. During these shows, the touring band was visible but obscured by lighting so only silhouettes appeared. The band also performed virtually at the 2006 Grammy Awards using Musion Eyeliner technology, though Albarn expressed disappointment with the low volume required to maintain the illusion.
Plastic Beach arrived on the 3rd of March 2010 and drew inspiration from marine pollution found near Albarn's home in Devon. The concept involved a secret floating island made of human debris and plastic waste. Albarn produced this record alone without a co-producer, recording sessions across London, New York City, and Syria between 2008 and 2009. The tour supporting the album became known as the Escape to Plastic Beach Tour, marking the first time the live band performed fully visible to audiences. Albarn later called the production economically disastrous despite his love for the experience. The tour featured many collaborators including Snoop Dogg, Mos Def, Bobby Womack, Lou Reed, and Little Dragon. During the North American leg, Albarn recorded songs entirely on an iPad, which were released as The Fall on Christmas Day 2010. This project served as a diary of his experiences on the road with no additional overdubs or production.
Tensions between Albarn and Hewlett grew public after April 2012 when they announced their fall-out over creative differences. Hewlett felt his visual contributions were being minimized while Albarn focused heavily on music. The band entered a multiyear hiatus during which both pursued solo projects. Albarn returned to Gorillaz in late 2015, beginning work on Humanz with producer Anthony Khan, known as the Twilite Tone. They envisioned the album as a soundtrack for "a party for the end of the world," imagining Donald Trump winning the 2016 US presidential election. Humanz was released on the 28th of April 2017, debuting at number two in both the UK and US charts. It featured a large cast of guest artists including Popcaan, Vince Staples, DRAM, and Grace Jones. The accompanying tour ran from summer 2017 to early 2018, featuring live performances with screens displaying Hewlett's visuals behind the band.
On the 29th of January 2020, the band announced Song Machine, a web series releasing one new song monthly as episodes. This format replaced traditional albums with standalone singles accompanied by music videos. The first episode, "Momentary Bliss," arrived on the 31st of January featuring Slowthai and Slaves. Subsequent tracks included collaborations with Fatoumata Diawara, Peter Hook, Tony Allen, and Robert Smith. The project culminated in the seventh studio album, Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez, released on the 23rd of October 2020. Some videos utilized Grand Theft Auto V for filming, though one was later set private before an alternative version appeared online. In November 2021, Albarn revealed he had recorded a new song with Bad Bunny while in Jamaica, hinting at future material influenced by Latin America.
Cracker Island dropped on the 24th of February 2023 and received mostly positive reviews for its clean energy and reaffirmation of Albarn's strengths. Produced with Greg Kurstin, it featured Thundercat, Stevie Nicks, Bad Bunny, Beck, and Adeleye Omotayo. The album was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in 2024. A deluxe edition added five bonus tracks including appearances from Del the Funky Homosapien and MC Binn. To celebrate their 25th anniversary, the band launched House of Kong exhibition in London during August 2025, performing their first three albums live. On the 11th of September 2025, they announced The Mountain, scheduled for release on the 27th of February 2026. Critics describe Gorillaz as blending Britpop, hip hop, electronic, and world music into a postmodern aesthetic that has influenced artists ranging from Billie Eilish to The 1975.
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Common questions
Who created the virtual band Gorillaz and when did they start working on it?
Musician Damon Albarn and comic artist Jamie Hewlett met in 1998 to create the virtual band Gorillaz. They developed the project after watching MTV for hours and deciding to make a manufactured band that was interesting rather than hollow.
When was the self-titled Gorillaz album released and what were its chart positions?
The self-titled Gorillaz album dropped on the 26th of March 2001 and became a major commercial success. It debuted at number three on the UK Albums Chart and number fourteen on the US Billboard 200 with sales exceeding seven million copies worldwide.
What inspired the concept behind the Plastic Beach album by Gorillaz?
Plastic Beach arrived on the 3rd of March 2010 and drew inspiration from marine pollution found near Albarn's home in Devon. The concept involved a secret floating island made of human debris and plastic waste recorded across London, New York City, and Syria between 2008 and 2009.
Why did tensions arise between Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett regarding Gorillaz?
Tensions between Albarn and Hewlett grew public after April 2012 when they announced their fall-out over creative differences. Hewlett felt his visual contributions were being minimized while Albarn focused heavily on music leading to a multiyear hiatus.
How does the Song Machine project differ from traditional Gorillaz albums?
On the 29th of January 2020, the band announced Song Machine as a web series releasing one new song monthly as episodes instead of traditional albums. This format replaced standard releases with standalone singles accompanied by music videos culminating in the seventh studio album released on the 23rd of October 2020.