The world’s favorite cartoon rock stars are back with their highly awaited third offering. Gorillaz, the project created by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, has enjoyed an impressive cast of high profile guests in ‘Plastic Beach’, including Snoop Dogg; De La Soul; The Horrors; Lou Reed – there were even rumours about a collaboration with Barry Gibb which have to be confirmed. For the first single, ‘Stylo’, the rocking cartoons manage to put together the vocal talents of two exceptional collaborators: Bobby Womack and Mos Def.
‘Stylo’ has just leaked and can be listened at the band’s website. Gorillaz were also announced this week as one of the headliners at this year’s Coachella festival. Keep an eye for the band members tweets for related surprises until the record is officially launched.
Like many of the most successful rappers nowadays, Mos Def is a man who knows a thing or two about widening his remit. Not content with being one of the most respected rappers of his generation, a Hollywood movie star and a part time sneaker designer for Converse: Mos Def is now entering the world of documentaries with a film about the hugely overlooked ‘70’s punk band, Death. Formed in ’71 by three African American brothers, the band’s take on Alice Cooper inspired hard rock developed into a proto-punk sound that was years ahead of its time. Pre-dating both the Sex Pistols and Bad Brains, Death’s music is now considered seminal by music critics but is largely unknown outside of in-the-know punk music collectors. Financed by former Roc-A-Fella boss Damon Dash and directed by Codie and Chike, who have made videos for both KanYe West and Mos Def himself, the doc could well shed new light on one of the most unfairly ignored bands of last 40 years.
Of course, Mos Def has not totally left the rap behind. The New York MC announced he will play a one-off show in London’s KOKO on April 15th.
