Gorillaz

British virtual music project formed in 1998 by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett in London, England. The idea originated as a satirical response to the commercialization of pop music in the late 1990s. The project features a multimedia band consisting of four fictional characters: 2-D (vocals, keyboards), Murdoc Niccals (bass guitar), Noodle (guitar, keyboards, vocals), and Russel Hobbs (drums). Their stories unfold through music videos, interviews, comics, and short animations. The debut album "Gorillaz" (2001) brought international fame with hits like "Clint Eastwood" and "19-2000". The second album "Demon Days" (2005) solidified their success, featuring tracks such as "Feel Good Inc." and "DARE". Subsequent albums include "Plastic Beach" (2010), "The Fall" (2010), "Humanz" (2017), "The Now Now" (2018), and "Cracker Island" (2023). The latest album, inspired by modern conspiracy theories and online echo chambers, became the band's first to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart since "Demon Days". Gorillaz are known for their genre-blending, combining alternative rock, hip-hop, electronic, and pop music. The project has received numerous awards, including Grammy Awards, and is acclaimed for its innovative approach to music and visual art.