#GORILLAZ Orignal concept art by JAMIE HEWLETT

Gorillaz is a virtual band created in 1998 by musician Damon Albarn, best known as the frontman of Blur, and comic book artist Jamie Hewlett, co-creator of *Tank Girl*. The concept of Gorillaz was born out of Albarn and Hewlett's mutual frustration with the music industry and its increasing superficiality. They envisioned a fictional band that could transcend the typical boundaries of image and genre, allowing for greater artistic freedom. Gorillaz is represented by four animated characters: 2-D (vocals), Murdoc Niccals (bass), Noodle (guitar), and Russel Hobbs (drums). The band’s music blends a wide array of genres, including rock, hip hop, electronic, and dub, and their debut album, *Gorillaz* (2001), was a critical and commercial success, particularly with its single “Clint Eastwood.”

The band’s second album, *Demon Days* (2005), solidified Gorillaz's status as a global phenomenon, featuring hits like “Feel Good Inc.” and showcasing Albarn’s ability to collaborate with diverse artists. Gorillaz continued to evolve with albums like *Plastic Beach* (2010), which dealt with environmental themes, and *Humanz* (2017), a politically charged record. The band has remained relevant through constant reinvention, with *Song Machine* (2020) being a multimedia project involving numerous collaborations.

Jamie Hewlett, meanwhile, began his career in the 1980s, gaining fame as the co-creator of the anarchic comic book series *Tank Girl*. His bold, eclectic art style perfectly complemented Albarn’s genre-defying music. Hewlett’s animation and design work for Gorillaz gave the band its unique visual identity, blending comic book aesthetics with digital animation. Hewlett has also explored other artistic avenues, including fine art and exhibitions, but Gorillaz remains his most iconic project, fusing music and visuals in unprecedented ways.

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