About a decade after starting Blur, Damon Albarn collaborated with artist Jamie Hewlett, co creator of the comic book Tank Girl, to form a virtual band called Gorillaz. The band includes four primary members, all animated. The band exists in a fictional universe, presented to listeners through music videos and short animations.
The band came about after the pair spent too much time watching MTV. They felt that the bands and music presented on the channel all seemed too manufactured, so why not form a band that is really manufactured, but has substance behind it?
Gorillaz recorded simultaneously with and during the Blur hiatus, using an ever changing cast of musicians selected to present different types of music. Successful from the start, the band has won numerous music awards worldwide and one Grammy.
While it might seem that working in two major bands, Blur and Gorillaz, would be enough for one person, it is not true for Damon Albarn. His interest in African music has led to the release of two albums; he has recorded three solo records and has contributed to at least eight additional collaborations.
His early interest in drama has resulted in his creation of an opera and his scoring for movies. He has also acted in a pair of films. His charitable work includes a number of projects in support of OxFam and in support of the Teenage Cancer Trust.
