The roots of Gorillaz can be traced back to 1990, when guitarist Graham Coxon asked cartoonist Jamie Hewlett to interview his newly formed band, Blur. Coxon knew of Hewlett's work drawing the Tank Girl comic strip in Deadline magazine. When Jamie first met the band's lead singer Damon Albarn, the two did not hit it off well. Hewlett initially thought Albarn was "arsey" and "a wanker," but the two remained acquainted and would eventually become roommates in 1997, living in London.
Both Jamie and Damon tell the story of Gorillaz came to be about the same way. They were in their flat watching TV, specifically MTV, and came up with the idea of a "virtual band" as commentary on the vapidity of popular music at the turn of the millennium. Previously the best-known '"cartoon bands" were animated versions of The Monkees and The Beatles that kids could watch on Saturday mornings. But Gorillaz (initially called just "Gorilla") was to be an ambitious musical project with eclectic, genre-bending tunes, unique visuals, and a detailed backstory for how the virtual band came to be.
With Gorillaz, Albarn departed from the distinct Britpop of Blur and explored influences including hip hop, electronic music, and world music through an "eccentrically postmodern" approach. The band's 2001 debut album Gorillaz sold over seven million copies worldwide. It was nominated for the Mercury Prize, but the nomination was withdrawn at the band's request. Their second studio album, Demon Days (2005), went six times platinum in the UK and double platinum in the US, and has sold over eight million copies worldwide. The band has won other awards, including one Grammy Award, two MTV Video Music Awards, an NME Award and three MTV Europe Music Awards.
The third Gorillaz studio album, Plastic Beach, was released in March 2010. The fourth, The Fall, was released in December 2010 as a free download for fan club members, then in April 2011 as a physical release. In 2017, after a five-year hiatus, Gorillaz announced their fifth studio album Humanz. Their sixth studio album, The Now Now, was released on 29 June 2018. Their seventh album, Song Machine, Season 1: Strange Timez, was released in 2020 through a series of episodical music videos. Cracker Island, the band's eighth album, was released on February 24, 2023. Gorillaz have been nominated for ten Brit Awards and won Best British Group at the 2018 Brit Awards.
The Gorillaz characters only appear in animated form and are not alter-egos of real people, as is often mistakenly assumed. There is an extensive fictional back-story behind these band members, written by Albarn and Hewlett. Their albums, several of their music videos, and their autobiographical book Rise Of The Ogre all tell the saga. Damon Albarn is the only permanent musical contributor to the band, which is also a collaboration between various musicians. Their style is broad with a large number of alternative influences including rock, hip-hop, and electronica.
They have released eight studio albums: Gorillaz (2001), Demon Days (2005), Plastic Beach (2010), The Fall (Also in 2010), Humanz (2017), The Now Now (2018), Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez (2020), and Cracker Island (2023). Additionally, they have put out two B-side collections, G-Sides (2001) and D-Sides (2007), and a reggae remix of the Gorillaz album entitled Laika Come Home (2002). The band has also released three DVDs: Phase One: Celebrity Takedown, Demon Days: Live at Manchester Opera House, and Phase Two: Slow Boat To Hades. At the end of 2010, Gorillaz released their next album, The Fall, which was recorded during their US 'Escape to Plastic Beach' tour. It is promoted as being the first album made entirely on iPad. The album is streamed on the Gorillaz website.
The band's first single, Clint Eastwood, was released on 5 March 2001. This single was the first of four from Gorillaz, which was released on 26 March 2001. The other three singles were released over the next year. These were: 19-2000, Rock the House, and Tomorrow Comes Today. The album sold over 7 million copies worldwide and has gone platinum twice in the United Kingdom earning them an entry in the Guinness Book of Records as the Most Successful Virtual Band. It was nominated for the Mercury Prize, but the nomination was later withdrawn at the band's request. Collaborators on the first album included Del tha Funkee Homosapien (often mistaken for a full-time band member), Miho Hatori (formerly of Cibo Matto), Tina Weymouth of Talking Heads.and Ibrahim Ferrer. The album was produced by Dan the Automator of Deltron 3030.
At the end of 2001 the band released another single, 911, which was a collaboration between Gorillaz and rap artists D12, Eminem and Terry Hall. The single would find its way onto the soundtrack to the 2002 action comedy Bad Company.
Their second studio album, Demon Days, was released on 11 May 2005 and included the hit singles Feel Good Inc., DARE, Dirty Harry and Kids With Guns / El Mañana. Demon Days went five times platinum in the UK, double platinum in the United States, and earned five Grammy award nominations for 2006 and won one of them (Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals). Collaborators on this album – produced by Dj Danger Mouse – include De La Soul, Bootie Brown of The Pharcyde, Shaun Ryder of the Happy Mondays, Neneh Cherry, Ike Turner, MF Doom, Roots Manuva, and Martina Topley-Bird, among others. DARE – the first Gorillaz track featuring lead vocals by Noodle – reached #1 in the UK charts.
In late 2007, Albarn and Hewlett began working on Carousel, a new Gorillaz project which eventually evolved into the band's third studio album, Plastic Beach, which was released 9 March 2010. Albarn said, "I'm making this one the most pop record I've ever made in many ways, but with all my experience to try and at least present something that has got depth.” The album features guest performances by Snoop Dogg, Lou Reed, Mos Def, Bobby Womack, Gruff Rhys, Mark E. Smith, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Bashy, Kano, De La Soul, Little Dragon, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, sinfonia ViVA, and The Lebanese National Orchestra for Oriental Arabic Music.
A 3D projection of the group was shown at the 2005 MTV Music Awards and the 2006 Grammys. They also performed at the Brits, in a different format, using screens rather than projections. Gorillaz have performed live in other occasions as well: in 2001 & 2002 they did tours where the musicians played behind screens, and in 2005 & 2006, Gorillaz had five nights in Manchester and New York respectively. This time the screens were behind the musicians, who were visible to the audience only as silhouettes (except for the guest-stars).
Since the band began to achieve mainstream success, there have been rumours of them working on a full-length movie. Some of these have been confirmed, but nothing has gotten beyond planning stages, mainly due to conflicts between the band and studios involved. In 2008, Hewlett said "Ultimately we didn't think that feel we're in a position to make the kind of movie we want to make with Gorillaz at the moment. [...] But I'd still like to make a full, lavishly-animated Gorillaz movie someday."
Albarn and Hewlett created a Pop Opera called Monkey: Journey to the West, which premiered in the summer of 2007 at the Manchester International Festival. A soundtrack album was recorded in the summer as well (initially only digitally available though a CD version was released in 2008). The production went on to show at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris in September-October 2007, the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, USA in May 2008, and the Royal Opera House in London in July 2008.
The duo behind the Pop Opera built on ideas from Monkey: Journey to the West to release a short film in the Summer of 2008 which accompanied the United Kingdom's coverage of the BBC Olympic Coverage in Beijing. It featured a basic outline of the main plot elements of the Opera, reworked into a "Journey to the East", with the characters finishing in the Beijing Olympic Stadium.
Gorillaz headlined the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2010, as an immediate replacement for U2, who dropped out of performing at the festival.
At the end of 2010 Gorillaz released their next album The Fall made in the hotel rooms during their US tour. It was, when released, the first album to be recorded entirely on an iPad. The album was made available for free to Gorillaz fan club members for a limited time as a digital download – and hard copies were released to worldwide markets in the following year.
In April 2012, Albarn told The Guardian that he and Hewlett had fallen out and that future Gorillaz projects were "unlikely". However, it was later announced by the duo that they had reconciled their difference – and that Noodle, Russel, Murdoc and 2-D would return with a new album in 2017. Featuring collaborations by artists such as album Grace Jones, Kali Uchis, Popcaan, Vince Staples, Mavis Staples, Peven Everett, Pusha T, Kelela, Jamie Principle, D.R.A.M. and Graham Coxon, Humanz was released to critical acclaim; the album would go on to win Gorillaz the 2018 Brit Award for Best British Group. Gorillaz would also collaborate with Carly Simon, Kilo Kish and Rag'n'Bone Man on the Deluxe edition of Humanz, while Little Simz would feature on the single Garage Palace. Another 2017 release was the single Sleeping Powder – supposedly written and recorded in a day. Meanwhile, a solar energy-themed collaboration with E.ON, released in 2017, would later win Gorillaz a Webby Award.
A new album, The Now Now, would follow in 2018. Written by Albarn whilst touring Humanz – and featuring two collaborations, including the return of Snoop Dogg and Jamie Principle as well as George Benson and Graham Coxon – The Now Now spawned six singles, including Humility, Tranz, and Lake Zürich. Murdoc was unable to enjoy the band's success for the time being as he was undergoing a stint in jail for an undisclosed malefaction; he was replaced on bass for Ace Copular – who most famously played Ace of the Gangreen Gang in the Powerpuff Girls TV series – for the recording of The Now Now; however, Murdoc would later break his way out of prison. Gorillaz saw the year out by securing another Brits nomination for Best British Group as well as winning a second consecutive Webby Award; this time, for the FreeMurdoc chatbot, which provided a way for Gorillaz fans to interact with Murdoc Niccals during his incarceration.
Islands
Gorillaz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the collective of the dawn
They were planting seeds at night
To grow a made-up paradise
Where the truth was auto-tuned (forever cult)
And it's sadness I consumed (forever cult)
Into my formats every day (forever cult)
In the end, I had to pay (what world is this?)
In the end I had to pay (I drank to riot)
Nothing more to say (I drank to riot)
They taught themselves to be occult
They didn't know its many strategies
They taught themselves to be occult
They didn't know its many strategies (fantasies)
What world is this?
What world is this?
On Cracker Island it was raised (hey, hey, hey, hey)
By the collective from the grave (hey, hey, hey, hey)
It only came out at night (hey, hey, hey, hey)
It ate up their paradise (paradise)
Where the truth was auto-tuned (forever cult)
And it's sadness I consumed (forever cult)
Into my formats every day (forever cult)
In the end, I had to pay (what world is this?)
Out there on my silver lake (I was not there)
In the end, it will be great (beneath the hills)
I'm like a ship between the tide (I saw myself)
I held on, I survived (there in the void)
They taught themselves to be occult
They didn't know its many strategies
They taught themselves to be occult
They didn't know its many strategies (fantasy)
(Ooh, ooh)
On Cracker Island it will die (forever cult)
Join the collective in the sky (forever cult)
And on a shining bolt of light (forever cult)
Go up to paradise (what world is this?)
Where the truth is auto-tuned (I purged my soul)
And it's sadness I consume (I drank to riot)
Into my formats every day (I drank to riot)
In the end I had to pay (forever cult)
In the end I'll have to pay (forever cult)
In the end I'll be okay (forever cult)
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
The song "Cracker Island" by Gorillaz and Thundercat tells the story of a group of people who create a made-up paradise on an island called Cracker Island. They plant seeds at night to grow this paradise, where the truth is auto-tuned and sadness is consumed. However, the singer of the song realizes that this paradise is a cult and experiences the consequences of being a part of it. The truth is distorted, and he ends up paying a heavy price for being a member of this cult.
The chorus of the song, "What world is this?" emphasizes the theme of a distorted reality. The people on Cracker Island have created their own world, but it is not grounded in reality. The repetition of "Forever cult" adds to the ominous tone of the song and highlights the destructive nature of the cult. Overall, the lyrics of "Cracker Island" explore themes of manipulation, disillusionment, and the search for truth.
Line by Line Meaning
On Cracker Island it was born
The beginning of the cult originated on Cracker Island.
To the collective of the dawn
The cult was created by a group of people who shared a common interest in the occult.
They were planting seeds at night
The cult members worked secretly during the night to grow their cult.
To grow a made-up paradise
The goal of the cult was to create a fantasy world or paradise.
Where the truth was auto-tuned (forever cult)
The cult members manipulated reality to fit their beliefs, living in a world where everything was perfect for them, even if it wasn’t true.
And it's sadness I consumed (forever cult)
The singer of the song experienced the sadness of the cult, whether willingly or not.
Into my formats every day (forever cult)
The cult practices and beliefs were integrated into the singer's daily routine.
In the end, I had to pay (what world is this?)
The artist realized the high cost of being conforming to the cult beliefs.
In the end, I had to pay (I purged my soul)
The artist had to let go of the cult's beliefs and start anew.
In the end I had to pay (I drank to riot)
The artist resorted to rebellious behavior, like alcohol consumption, to break free from the cult.
Nothing more to say (I drank to riot)
There is nothing else to say about the singer's experience with the cult; it is over, and they have moved on.
They taught themselves to be occult
The cult members learned about the occult by themselves.
They didn't know its many strategies
The cult members did not have complete knowledge of the occult practices they followed.
They taught themselves to be occult
The cult members immersed themselves in the occult.
They didn't know its many strategies (fantasies)
The cult members were unaware that the practices they followed were merely fantasies.
What world is this?
The artist questions their reality and the beliefs they once held.
On Cracker Island it was raised (hey, hey, hey, hey)
The cult was nurtured and grew on Cracker Island.
By the collective from the grave (hey, hey, hey, hey)
The cult was started by the now-deceased members of the collective.
It only came out at night (hey, hey, hey, hey)
The cult members operated underground, during the night.
It ate up their paradise (paradise)
The cult consumed the paradise they thought they were building.
Out there on my silver lake (I was not there)
The artist's mind is somewhere else
In the end, it will be great (beneath the hills)
The artist is hopeful for a brighter future and a new beginning in a different setting.
I'm like a ship between the tide (I saw myself)
The singer feels like they are stuck, drifting back and forth between opposing sides or beliefs.
I held on, I survived (there in the void)
The artist managed to hold on and survive despite their struggles with the cult and sense of drifting.
On Cracker Island it will die (forever cult)
The cult will eventually disintegrate or lose influence, just as it was born on Cracker Island.
Join the collective in the sky (forever cult)
The end of the cult represents an opportunity for its members to move on to something different, better, and more eternal than a cult.
And on a shining bolt of light (forever cult)
The shining bolt of light represents the hope for a new beginning and enlightenment outside of the cult's reach.
Go up to paradise (what world is this?)
The cult believed they were heading towards paradise, but instead, they were living in a delusional world.
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
There is nothing else the artist needs to share, they have moved on from the cult.
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
The same as above.
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
The same as above.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: David Albarn, Greg Kurstin, Stephen Bruner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Yensehn
Noodle in background:
- Denying involvement.
- Arguing with police.
- Intentionally being difficult.
- Refusing to talk.
- Collaborating 2Ds statement.
- Demanding a phone call (probably realizing 2D didn't accomplish much in his current state).
- Listing off things on the phone call. Likely lawyer or fixer.
Actually, probably, being the only one present helping their current status.
@Hihseu
The lyrics:
On Cracker Island it was born
To the collective of the dawn
They were planting seeds at night
To grow a made-up paradise
Where the truth was auto-tuned (forever cult)
And it's sadness I consumed (forever cult)
Into my formats every day (forever cult)
In the end, I had to pay (what world is this?)
In the end, I had to pay (I purged my soul)
In the end I had to pay (I drank to riot)
Nothing more to say (I drank to riot)
They taught themselves to be occult
They didn't know its many strategies
They taught themselves to be occult
They didn't know its many strategies (fantasies)
What world is this?
What world is this?
On Cracker Island it was raised (hey, hey, hey, hey)
By the collective from the grave (hey, hey, hey, hey)
It only came out at night (hey, hey, hey, hey)
It ate up their paradise (paradise)
Where the truth was auto-tuned (forever cult)
And it's sadness I consumed (forever cult)
Into my formats every day (forever cult)
In the end, I had to pay (what world is this?)
Out there on my silver lake (I was not there)
In the end, it will be great (beneath the hills)
I'm like a ship between the tide (I saw myself)
I held on, I survived (there in the void)
They taught themselves to be occult
They didn't know its many strategies
They taught themselves to be occult
They didn't know its many strategies (fantasy)
(Ooh, ooh)
On Cracker Island it will die (forever cult)
Join the collective in the sky (forever cult)
And on a shining bolt of light (forever cult)
Go up to paradise (what world is this?)
Where the truth is auto-tuned (I purged my soul)
And it's sadness I consume (I drank to riot)
Into my formats every day (I drank to riot)
In the end I had to pay (forever cult)
In the end I'll have to pay (forever cult)
In the end I'll be okay (forever cult)
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
Nothing more to say (say, say, say, say)
@glferris716
@Jera Always happy to share Gorillaz lore!
Moon Flower is a new character in the current phase, Phase 7. She's their next door neighbor in their new (temporary) home in California, as explained by 2D in his podcast, The Stuart Potcast lol
Murdoc made eye contact with her once over the fence, and immediately had the hots for her. So much so, that 90% of the reason for his forming a cult in the first place was out of a misguided attempt to get her attention. Moon Flower happens to be the leader of her own cult, the Forever Cult, so naturally, Murdoc decided the best way for her to fall madly in love with him was to create a competing cult to impress her--hence their name, the Last Cult!
Prior to the events of this music video, Moon Flower doesn't take much of interest in Murdoc at all, beyond mild annoyance at his constant spying on her and one-upmanship (much to his disappointment). It would seem she DOES take an interest in 2D however, as he's frequently invited over. This interest is very blatantly an indoctrination attempt, though, but Murdoc is incredibly bitter over it all the same. Lmfao
Interestingly, Moon Flower appears to be able to conceal her real age to those around her--or at least, in Murdoc and 2D's case, anyway. According to a YouTube short from Murdoc, he had absolutely no idea he was kissing an older woman at all, and instead only saw her the way she initially looked when removed her hood. For what reason she's started paying attention to Murdoc, or would even want to keep up this illusion with him, is still unknown. Very weird.
Sorry for the rant, but I hope this was helpful! Currently, most of the story for Phase 7 is unfolding through the official Instagram, Discord, Youtube shorts, and 2D's podcast. The last one is especially useful for bits of information about Moon Flower, since 2D hangs out with her so often heh
@thejesuschrist
This hymn slaps
@dspag9448
Hello Jesus
@TheSun0
I agree Jesus
@ashthegoo6113
I agree also Jesus
@liquidRkive
based jesus
@lamb9642
We need you!
@drae
Fuck yeah! Thundercat! This is super catchy
@michaelpettyjohn7555
Sup Drae, TCat slaps!
@Rolly369
lol, how did you end up here, Drae ? :D cool
@someafro-latino1329
Didnt expect to see you here