Gorillaz Sound System

Gorillaz
Gorillaz; from left to right Murdoc, Russell and 2D, with Noodle in front
Background information
Origin	Essex, England
Genres	Alternative rock electronica trip hop alternative hip hop
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Parlophone Virgin EMI Virgin EMI Warner Bros. Records
Associated acts	Blur The Good, the Bad & the Queen Rocket Juice & the Moon Monkey: Journey to the West Deltron 3030 Massive Attack De La Soul Snoop Dogg MF Doom Benjamin Clementine
Website	gorillaz.com
Members	Non-Virtual: Damon Albarn Jamie Hewlett Virtual: 2D Murdoc Niccals Russel Hobbs Noodle

Gorillaz are a British virtual band created in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. The band consists of four animated members: 2D (lead vocals, keyboard), Murdoc Niccals (bass guitar, vocals), Noodle (guitar, keyboard, and backing vocals) and Russel Hobbs (drums and percussion). These members are fictional and are not personas of any "real life" musicians involved in the project. 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. In reality, Albarn is the only permanent musical contributor, and the music is often a collaboration between various musicians. Writers and critics have described their music as alternative rock,Britpop,trip hop,hip hop,electronica, indie, dub, reggae and pop.

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 It was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2001, but the nomination was later withdrawn at the band's request. Their second studio album, Demon Days, released in 2005, went five times platinum in the UK.double platinum in the US, The band has won other awards, including one Grammy Award, two MTV Video Music Awards, an NME Award, three MTV Europe Music Awards, and have been nominated for nine Brit Awards. 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. Gorillaz plan to release a full length album in 2017.