Gorillaz

Gorillaz are an English musical and visual project created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. The project consists of Gorillaz itself and an extensive fictional universe depicting a "virtual band" of cartoon characters. This band has four animated members: 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle and Russel Hobbs. Their fictional universe is explored through the band's website and music videos, as well as a number of other media, such as short cartoons. The music is a collaboration between various musicians, Albarn being the only permanent musical contributor.

The band's 2001 debut album Gorillaz sold over seven million copies and earned them an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records as the Most Successful Virtual Band. It was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2001, but the nomination was later withdrawn at the band's request. The album produced four singles, "Clint Eastwood", "19-2000", "Tomorrow Comes Today", and "Rock the House".

"911", a collaboration between Gorillaz and rap artists D12 (without Eminem) and Terry Hall about the September 11 attacks, would be released.

Their second studio album, Demon Days, released in 2004, went five times platinum in the UK, double platinum in the United States, earned five Grammy Award nominations for 2006 and won one of them in the Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals category.

The band has won numerous other awards, including two MTV Video Music Awards, an NME Award, three MTV Europe Music Awards, and have twice been nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Group.

The band's third studio album, Plastic Beach, was released in March 2010. Their latest album, The Fall, was released in December 2010 as a free download for fan club members, then in April 2011 as a physical release.

A documentary film about the Gorillaz, Bananaz, was released online on the Babelgum website in April 2009 followed by the DVD release in June 2009.ates certain elements from the unreleased Gorillaz demo "Snakes & Ladders" which features both artists.

In November 2011, Gorillaz released their first "greatest hits" compilation, The Singles Collection 2001–2011.