Gorillaz is a virtual band created in 1998 by Damon Albarn of Britpop band Blur, and Jamie Hewlett, co-creator of the comic book Tank Girl. The band is composed of four animated band members: 2D, Murdoc, Noodle and Russel. The band’s music is a collaboration between various musicians with Albarn being the only permanent musical contributor. Their style is broadly alternative Hip Hop, but with a large number of other influences including hip hop, electronica, dub and pop.
The band’s first album, 2001′s Gorillaz, sold over seven million copies and earned them an entry in the Guinness Book of Records as the Most Successful Virtual Band It was nominated for the Mercury Prize 2001, but the nomination was later withdrawn at the band’s request. Their second studio album, Demon Days, was released in 2005 and included the hit singles “Feel Good Inc.”, “DARE”, “Dirty Harry” and “Kids With Guns / El Mañana”.
Stylo
“Stylo” is the fifth track from the Gorillaz’s third album Plastic Beach. It features Bobby Womack and Mos Def.
Bobby Womack knew nothing about Gorillaz and was initially unsure about the collaboration, however, his granddaughter liked Gorillaz and convinced him to do it. Womack was told to sing whatever was on his mind during the recording of “Stylo”. “I was in there for an hour going crazy about love and politics, getting it off my chest”, said Womack. After an hour of recording, Womack, a diabetic, started to pass out. He was sat down and given a banana, before waking up minutes later.
Fictional band member Murdoc Niccals stated the following about “Stylo” in a track-by-track commentary:
This is a new sound for Gorillaz. An electro-ish ‘crack funk’ sound, with a little bit of politics and a lot of soul going down. With ‘Stylo’, I wanted the music to feel euphoric, whilst still putting across how precarious our tightly packed situation is now, worldwide. Where we’re at as a species on this overpopulated planet (“Coming on to the Overload. Overload. Overload”).
Bobby Womack’s chorus, he just explodes into the track. How good is it to get Bobby Womack on the record? This was the first recording he’s made in 15, 20 years, so what an honour. Bobby said he only returned to do this Gorillaz track because his granddaughter said Gorillaz were cool. Which is true. We are.
Reggae singer Eddy Grant has claimed that this song bears similarities to his 1983 song “Time Warp” stating that “I am outraged that the Gorillaz have infringed the copyright of my song Time Warp, claiming their song Stylo to be an original composition” and is currently consulting lawyers.
http://djallyn.org/media/gorillaz-stylo.flv[Mos Def:]
Love electricity,
Shockwave central,
Power on the motherboard,
Yes.Push up,
Overload,
Legendary,
Heavy glow,
Sunshine,
Thunder-roll,
Keep this on,
Yes the lanturn burns firm and easy,
And broadcast so raw and neatly,
Thunder-roll,
Sunshine,
Work it out now, now, now…[2D:]
Overload, overload, overload,
Coming on to the
Overload, overload, overload,
Coming on to the
Overload, overload, overload,
Coming on to the
Overload, overload, overload,
Coming on to the…Oh Stylo, (juice)
Go for blossom in your soul.
When you know your heart is light,
Electric is the love.When the mako flies, (Like a giant fish,)
Up from the bottom in your eyes, (As it leaps from the stream,)
Then I’ll know the twilight skies, (Blood curdles, it’s death row,)
Are not so broken hearted. (Hot from the end of the line.)[Bobby Womack:]
If it’s love, it’s electric.
It’ll be flowing on the streets,
Night after night,
Just to get through the week.
Sometimes it’s hard.Right now.
[2D:]
Sing yourself (juice) out of depression,
Rise above
All recession.
If I know your heart,
Electric is the love.[Bobby Womack:]
There’s only one way;
Let it play a little while longer.
It’s got a way of passing through man and woman,
In another world,
In another world in the universe.
Ohhhhh…[2D:]
(Overload, overload, overload,)
(Coming on to the)
(Overload, overload, overload,)
(Coming on to the)
(Overload, overload, overload,)
(Coming on to the)
(Overload, overload, overload,)
(Coming on to the…)[Bobby Womack:]
Right now.
Here’s what we got to do.If it’s love, it’s electric.
It’ll be flowing on the streets,
Night after night,
Just to get through the week.
Sometimes it’s hard.[2D:]
(Overload, overload, overload,)
(Coming on to the)
(Overload, overload, overload,)
(Coming on to the)
(Overload, overload, overload,)
(Coming on to the)
(Overload, overload, overload,)
(Coming on to the…)[Mos Def:]
That’s what I’m talking about.Love electricity,
Shockwave central,
Power on the motherboard,
YesPush up,
Overload,
Legendary,
Heavy glow,
Sunshine,
Thunder-roll,
Keep this on,
Yes the lanturn burns so firm and easy,
And broadcast so raw and easy,
Thunder-roll,
Sunshine,
Work it out now, now, now…Right now.
- Audio from the 2010 album, Plastic Beach:
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