Gorillaz

One of the album’s centerpiece tracks is “Clint Eastwood,” whose title references the actor and incorporates a musical theme from the film *The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly*. Del the Funky Homosapien collaborated on this song, as well as on “Rock the House.” His involvement in the project was unique: although the album was nearly finished, Del joined to record his verses, and within the band’s story, he became “Del the Ghost Rapper,” a spirit inhabiting drummer Russell Hobbs. The album also features other musicians such as Miho Hatori, Ibrahim Ferrer, and Chris Frantz, establishing a pattern of diverse collaborations that would continue in Gorillaz’s future work. Songs like “19-2000” and “Tomorrow Comes Today” also stood out as singles, showcasing the variety of styles the group was exploring. There’s even an alternate version of “Starshine” recorded by Phi Life Cypher.

Gorillaz had a significant impact, selling around seven million copies worldwide and reaching number three on the UK charts. This success led to the band being recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the “Most Successful Virtual Band.” Critical reception was largely positive, and the album has been included on the list of “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.” The album’s promotion extended beyond the musical realm, featuring a world tour where the musicians performed behind screens projecting Jamie Hewlett’s animations, as well as interactive websites and the 2002 release of the video album *Phase One: Celebrity Take Down*. In 2021, a commemorative reissue was released to mark the album’s 20th anniversary.