Named the first virtual hip-hop group by Rolling Stone magazine, Gorillaz is a music band founded in 1998 by British musician Damon Albarn and British cartoonist Jamie Hewlett. Gorillaz's virtual band consists of four animated characters: 2D, Murdoc Niccals, Noodle and Russel Hobbs.

The band debuted in late 2000 and released its first album Gorillaz in 2001 which sold over seven million copies and earned the band worldwide recognition. Four years later, the band released their second album, Demon Days, which went five times platinum in the UK and earned five Grammy Award nominations. The group's third album, Plastic Beach, was released in 2010.