Gorillaz - The Complete Backstory (Phases 1-7)

A comprehensive breakdown of Gorillaz lore from humble beginnings to becoming pirates and starting cults. This covers every important event in the Gorillaz story and answers any questions you may have about the confusing yet fun story of this special animated band.
Plastic Beach Retcons explained: • Gorillaz - Plastic Bea...
Intro 0:00
Murdoc's Backstory 1:25
2D's Backstory 4:01
Russel's Backstory 6:29
Paula Cracker 8:20
Phase 1 - Gorillaz 10:24
Pre-Phase 2 (Includes Noodle's Backstory) 16:14
Phase 2 - Demon Days 24:09
Pre-Phase 3 35:42
Phase 3 - Plastic Beach 37:35
Plastic Beach Canon Ending 48:32
Phase 4 - Humanz 52:24
Phase 5 - The Now Now 54:36
Phase 6 - Song Machine 59:23
Phase 7 - Cracker Island 1:05:28
Outro 1:17:23
FULL LORE PLAYLIST: • Gorillaz - THE FULL STORY
FULL LORE VIDEO: • Gorillaz - The Complet...
PHASE ONE: • Gorillaz - Phase 1 LOR...
DEMON DAYS: • Gorillaz - Phase 1 LOR...
PLASTIC BEACH: • Gorillaz - Plastic Bea...
HUMANZ, THE NOW NOW, SONG MACHINE: • Gorillaz - Phases 4-6 ...
CRACKER ISLAND PT 1: • Gorillaz - Cracker Isl...
CRACKER ISLAND PT 2: • Gorillaz - Cracker Isl...
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[@goose3475]

Pay attention to a 40min history class:❌ Pay attention to a 1 hour 17 min video about a monkey band: hell yeah

[@X-tremewrestlinginc]

MONKE BAND, APEZ whatever there called they the goat

[@Lunar_on_paws.0]

@@X-tremewrestlingincthey are called gorillaz

[@twenty_five_pilots_keons]

Lmao😭 nah u did them dirty

[@Gorillaz_fan6969.]

REAL IM CRYING😂😂😂

[@twenty_five_pilots_keons]

@@Gorillaz_fan6969. I had literally just posted fan art of phase 1 (I think 😭) 2d😭😭😭

[@TheAutumnalDemon]

Murdoc: I saved your life, you owe me your soul now 2-D: Okay! :D

[@Evo_lution3340]

Hes such a little fella

[@pandalicious9969]

2D doesn't deserve him at all

[@twenty_five_pilots_keons]

2d is a goober and I love him

[@katgutz.]

He's so silly :3

[@twenty_five_pilots_keons]

@@katgutz. 😭 I love 2d BRO IS ADORABLE AND A GOOBER

[@O45]

I didn't realize how hard gorillaz lore is

[@DEDSEC.]

Like difficult or buck-wild hard?

[@Diachron]

Same!

[@hazrinaah1394]

both​@@DEDSEC.

[@twenty_five_pilots_keons]

Hard😭 help me

[@gugleplexz]

666 LIKES LMAO

[@SeanSanta-qj4mm]

Your telling me Murdock is pushing 70

[@lastchanc3stars]

Yes. He's old as dirt now, and it kinda frightens me how quickly time flies. I remember starting to follow Gorillaz during Phase 3.

[@springfaux6991]

I mean its not shocking if he sold his soul to Satan and ol devil gave him long lasting youth as a bonus deal

[@acb9896]

He's only 57, ya mung.

[@smilesfordays]

I remember going to a local music shop for the release party for the first album when the keys in the house on the website hadn’t been figured out yet. I still have the demo vhs… it’s a different time now for sure.

[@some_random2225]

Isn’t he a zombie

[@KITKXT248]

Do I know the lore? Yes Did I watch the entire thing? Yes

[@mellyholston4139]

Literally me at 3am LOL

[@Thetruesuitguy]

Do I understand it all? Ehhhhhh

[@Hypustorm]

Fun fact: In the Cracker Island part, when you mention the 6 colours being pink, the color code for the pink equals #b00b69 and Murdoc's green skin is #69b00b.

[@tokio6332]

💀💀💀

[@timefoolery]

Awesome! Someone named Jamie put real though5 into that 😂

[@mariatre_model]

Wtf☠️☠️☠️☠️

[@SelfTitled76]

Ain’t no way. That’s crazy.

[@Stella.22g]

HAHAHA they're geniuses

[@takikun1427]

Not me watching Gorillaz lore at 1 am instead of studying 💀💀💀💀

[@gkotta_kedamono]

Real. I regret nothing.

[@ayaan2642]

Holy shit saaaaaammmmeeee

[@takikun1427]

@@ayaan2642lmaoo

[@acefiresinger1958]

This is very relatable I'm doing it rn actually

[@MexF9109]

Same i'm spending 1 hour watching gorillaz lore and it feel good (inc)

[@VANDAN035]

“Uhh hi I’m 2-D I’m the singer and the piano and I need the toilet hello mum” 💀

[@SarcasticPossum]

So nice that he at least says hi to his mum

[@SingingLeon69]

Relatable

[@Chuydoesartfr]

He Just like me fr

[@twenty_five_pilots_keons]

Blue is me frfr😂

[@Dr-Stabs]

still my fav quote "I can't talk now I'm naked"

[@Marshmallow20078]

HAHA

[@pupiikaii]

*procedess to play a banger.*

[@CharlieTurley-ev8qe]

is it just me or did anyone else originally think 2-D was the lead of the band?

[@abbeybelanger8118]

I mean if you don't know the lore, yeah it makes sense

[@Discord2319]

I did too lol

[@Stella.22g]

He does seem like it

[@Thekingofdumb8]

It seems like it if you don't know the lore

[@funkunko]

well usually the lead singers are the leaders lol

[@Lil_Yuri]

55:15 I find it hilarious that Murdoc got so mad about the idea of Jack Black playing him back in the beginning that he beat up 2D, but when 2D is in the driver's seat and Murdoc is imprisoned, Jack Black is featured in the Humility video. 😆

[@GenAqua]

HA! that was funny.

[@afsaramehrin2993]

Humility video is trash 👎🏻 What have you expected ? Everything back then was done in Murdoc’s 7 month absence. Jack Black maybe one of my most favourite actors in Hollywood but the way he was represented in Humility didn’t impress me… I have 2-D and his midlife crisis to blame here because it’s not normal for a man in his 40s to act like a high-school going teenager 🤷🏻‍♀️ Did any of you think Murdoc would “never make it back” to his own band ? He still did. Murdoc may have a sour attitude but Gorillaz is never complete without him. Call me “crazy” but that is the truth. 2-D deserves no forgiveness for ruining phase 5 💔

[@UI-jy6fr]

for a band called "Gorillaz", they have very few songs related to apes. I'm not the only one who noticed that right?

[@ploonette222]

Because the name is really just a Pun bc a group of Gorillas is called a Band

[@tristanjames7571]

"Skinny ape"

[@urvampbf]

@@tristanjames7571that’s one of their most recent songs though. gorillaz has been around for over 20 years

[@smcphee8499]

Yeah it’s a pun.

[@aquiteannoyingperson]

apparently its called gorillaz because i think both damon albarn and jamie hewlett (the creators of the band) were born in the year of the monkey, so only a coincidence that they have songs related to apes and have ape looking characters (no racism, its genuinely the art style)

[@viniamusic]

I just love how they never question Murdoc doing the weirdest sh*t that ever comes to his mind and just follow along ike "yeah, the kid is playing again". And how Noodle is the one that puts the band together again/does damage control in most cases

[@dogpoo_petuski]

this is actually really well made & edited.. how does this only have 1k views??

[@SelfTitled76]

Didn’t catch the algorithm ig :/

[@MrGageHarrison]

Now it has 20,000+ haha

[@byronramos1918]

This aged well

[@cell10029]

Keep sharing it

[@3L_L4M0]

29 k views later

[@Zeheyano6723]

I swear I just feel bad for 2-d

[@MeIsdum-le6sn]

Murdoc as a kid though, that's what made him abusive to 2d im guessing

[@saciart2004]

@@MeIsdum-le6snthat’s a reason but not really a excuse

[@twenty_five_pilots_keons]

I love him tho😭 I wanna hug 2dddddddd

[@yasininn76]

@saciart2004 getting abused by your father and being shaped into a terrible person is not an excuse enough?

[@hongchina1873]

@@yasininn76 Your past traumas do not excuse your present actions. Just because you were abused in the past does not make it okay for you to abuse others now.

[@psychobilly42069]

It's nice to get a refresher on my middle school master's degree. Idk if any of y'all were in the Gorillaz fandom on Facebook in 2010-2013 but it was crazy fucking times.

[@kiranshot7532]

"What happened this time Murdoc" KILLED ME Always doing shit. I love him

[@Keeleyluvsblur]

These videos where super helpful! Ive been a Gorillaz fan for many years but never really got into the lore. Thanks for making these videos! It explains the lore perfectly but not to complicated either! :)

[@madmouse1016]

This just makes me realize even more how so much of it revolves around 2D and Murdoc=

[@EllieCarnahan]

plot twist: Bruce Willis is not playing a character who is a bounty hunter, Bruce Willis himself was hired as a bounty hunter to hunt down Gorillaz. I know that because Murdoc told me so himself

[@pietrue3874]

this video is such a blessing, I'll speak on behalf of the entire gorillaz fandom and say thank you for the massive lore dump and going into so much detail about every phase and easter egg (also, ROBERT SMITH JUMPSCARE)

[@lisbethsalander275]

i'd prefer you didn't speak for me. K? thanks.

[@ciaranicole1334]

​@@lisbethsalander275 they were clearly being hyperbolic. I swear no one understands hyperbole anymore.

[@lisbethsalander275]

@@ciaranicole1334 trying out the new word you learned...neat.

[@jellydumcat9770]

@@lisbethsalander275What in the main Character syndrom

[@Th4t-Ai-Guy]

@@lisbethsalander275 You aren't the main character.

[@ThrackerZ0d]

i like how each 10 minutes, the lore keeps getting more and more confusing with nonsense things just coming out of nowhere lol, i absolute love it, i can't imagine how hard it was getting all of this in order since Gorillaz lore is a mess itself and it's a mess to find it all.

[@littlefella521]

My theory for 2-D being shipped to Plastic Beach is that Murdoc probably hired the Boogie Man to gas 2-D and ship him over not even knowing he was apart of the Black Cloud.

[@twenty_five_pilots_keons]

Nahhh😭 I didn't watch the video yetttttt

[@captainflappyarms8277]

This is the best gorillaz lore breakdown video i have after seen. Great video! Deserves a lot more thank 15k views

[@Dill_Pickle1997]

I love the gorillaz lore. It’s one of the few things about gorillaz that keeps me interested in the band and most of their albums

[@derekhandson351]

Yeah I'm bummed there aren't more animated bands.

[@NateS917]

about the whole murdoc kidnapping 2D thing, i believe murdoc had hired the boogieman to do it, and when murdoc says "i" kidnapped him, i think he just means that he was responsible for it being done, also murdoc famously likes to take credit for other peoples work, like when he said he wrote demon days

[@lifeisbutadreamm]

Always loved Gorillaz, but man I had no idea about all the lore etc that goes along with the band, just adds a whole new level of artistry to the project, really gives me a whole new respect for Damon and Jamie and everyone else who made it happen

[@st4r64]

I can't believe Tony Tony Chopper bullied Murdoc Niccals.

[@user-gv4kd7gt5d]

Bro is the doctor

[@mashedpotato.]

cant believe a 90cm tall reindeer caused the creation of gorillaz

[@jazzman3196]

DUDE THERES NO WAY YOU JUST POSTED THIS, I hadn’t come back to check for phase 4-6 in like a month so I was very happy to find it had come out finally. I JUST finished watching that video and then went to listen to the plastic beach album. I came back to adjust my KZbin playlist and come to find this came out! Lookin forward to a great video 🙏

[@themountaindude]

It's so nostalgic, cuz I was into deep lore since 2005 (of course I didn't know everything, as I was busy from time to time with other things), but to have such a video is a blessing, as it wraps up everything important yet a lot of other details. Thank You

[@xxxk1tten42xxx]

This guy is very underrated. Did the full story of Gorillaz, and only got 16K views in 25 days.

[@Greensmokes2black]

Thank you so much for this! I hadn’t gotten around to catch up on the lore after Humanz for many years. Still absolutely loved The Now Now, fell off on Song Machine, and was delighted by the sounds of Cracker Island 💜

[@ChaoticWriterRising]

Thank you for making these. I've watched a lot of Gorillaz lore videos, but yours are the most in depth. I can't wait to see what you do next!

[@CkRiptide]

"Im not. yes you are no im not. Yes you are OH SHUT U-" The Gorrilaz. 16:16

[@theflorida_kid]

😭

[@Brain-tk6si]

26:14 why is that so heartwarming

[@AustinKelly01]

Phase 1-3 is too goated

[@optamellow]

these videos are so good! I’m really glad these were made cause they’re super entertaining and informative. I can’t wait for phase 8 to see the video for that!

[@lawesy71]

2d gon' have those long spider legs😳

[@johnathangee3757]

love how he apologized for saying "sorry" wrong

[@twenty_five_pilots_keons]

Fr

[@user-wz2gx7tz6l]

I didn't finish the video (not even close), but them mentioning Jack Black playing as Murdoc then strangling 2-D for it had me dying🤣🤣🤣

[@twenty_five_pilots_keons]

NOT 2D😭 LMAO😂

[@Ratqueenaisy]

Awesome ive been needing to sit down and just have it all laid out in order in one place. This video was really good!

[@v-tine]

I’ve been searching for a video like this for so long. Thanks for making this!!!! This explains the lore really good! 👍

[@Strop666]

this video is so well made dude!! props to you! keep it up

[@brandondawson4086]

Thank you for all of your hard work on making this video dude! As someone who got into the Gorillaz later in life deep Dives and full breakdowns like this on their history make them all that more awesome to listen to and appreciate as well as the most fascinating name in music.

[@lisahoshowsky4251]

I’ve been looking for a long form lore video for over a year! So glad I decided to look again and this popped up!

[@strawberrykk_]

Thank you so much this video helped me to know the lore of one of my favorite bands!:)

[@Lil_Yuri]

First started listening to Gorillaz in 2005 when my then-SO gave me a Demon Days CD for my birthday-- as a teen I was still developing my music taste and I loved it, as it didn't sound like anything else that was on the radio or other albums which have not aged as well. Never knew any lore though, although I always liked Noodle's whole aesthetic and the idea of an animated band. This is so cool.

[@mossmoss1767]

this video was such a rollercoaster but SOOO GOOD! great job man

[@WitchChick247]

tysm bro. when i saw this notif i knew i was in for a treat. i will forever have the gorillaz lore ingrained in my memory just because of this video. keep up the hard work dude 👍

[@Netsirk96]

I've been listening to Gorillaz' discography but not really knowing much about the lore so this was helpful

[@friendnancy]

great job with this series :)

[@AshXPP]

Thank you dude! I love watching long form videos in the background of art or gaming and this is so useful. Keep up the good work my guy ‼️

[@CavStillLovesStuPot]

Hello my dear friend,

[@AshXPP]

@@CavStillLovesStuPot hey dude

[@mrmadfunny5507]

This is absolutely amazing keep up the great work can’t wait to see more 🔥!

[@fabrizio4190]

Can’t wait for next phase lmfao this was such an awesome video

[@ironbarsjack7977]

If you do make a video with every tiny detail, I promise you I will watch every second of it. I dropped off around phase 5, because I got into a real bad depression, and I never caught back up with the lore.

[@L45AGNA]

This is going to be my go-to video I show to explain Gorillaz to people. Solid.

[@lukec6999]

i just stayed up watching this instead of going to bed for school.

[@JellyNutButter22]

SAMEE

[@klltsun_2576]

This is so so good, thank you so much for this!!

[@thebiggoob59]

i did not know that gorillaz had this much lore, thanks for telling us this

[@manuauge1624]

Great job man, I really need this

[@Froggydoodles_]

Finally I can understand all the gorillaz lore thank you sm for this video

[@sullagod]

Haven't realized there is a lore behind the band. Thank you for putting this out there.

[@conjurer5725]

I’m just glad that at the end Russell finally got to wear a pink lady dress

[@notryry]

💀💀

[@reneenoriega4524]

thank god for small blessings 😌🙏🏼

[@MadB0YS]

Thanks for all the details 🙏

[@Charles-ql4tc]

I only know the band because my mum heard the iPod ad with feel good inc and she got the single, and that's how I found them and ive been obsessed for 5+ years! Love the lore sm thank you for this, ive always had a bit of an issue getting it all together.

[@mayyysee]

I was super into Gorillaz when i was in high school. I had their Rise of the Ogre book, all their cds, the limited editiom converse, even got to see them in concert during their Plastic Beach tour and was following with every new music video release and new lore hint they dropped. But eventually I kinda fell off the wagon keeping up with them so once Humanz came out i got the album but never evem listened to it. I just stayed up until 3:30am watching this 😂 the ending made me feel bittersweet. Like a big part of my adolescent years finally closed its chapter and crossed over into my adulthood. Its making me weirdly sentimental 😂 thank you for the in depth video! I can't wait to see where they go next.

[@Abraham_the_pierra]

Gorillaz lore goes deep ngl

[@yasininn76]

So basically I went in understanding absolutely nothing and I got out understanding absolutely nothing. Gorillaz basically mastered the art of pure chaos and randomness and made it their lore.

[@DJarry394]

This is GREAT. Now I feel all fulled up with Gorillaz lore! Fank you!

[@MwelwaOnCos]

Watching this timeline video alongside each album according to the order..Thank you

[@gibletti]

what i wanna know is how del came back, considering he's started showing up in promotional art and on captain chicken

[@SelfTitled76]

Same here lol

[@comedymankelp4009]

I was honestly expecting he was gonna be the one to free Russell from the Static Channel, kinda disappointed that didn't happen tbh

[@funkunko]

to be fair jamie is never consistent with details of the lore. he prolly just wanted to draw del

[@SingingLeon69]

I have been a semi-fan of Gorillaz when I first heard the song Dare (it was on Just Dance lmfaooo) And I started listening to their songs But I never knew any of the lore, now I do. Now I am a mega fan

[@NicoleSoul49]

The work that went into this video deserves 100k likes. Can't even imagine how long this took to edit

[@timefoolery]

This has been ultra educational to me!

[@mariotelarico8623]

Thanks homie. Appreciate you

[@nemesis851_]

Well done ma dude! Album 💿 1 original was my first introduction to the gang

[@paragonofdoom3366]

Bro one of the best stories I've ever heard I love gorillaz and now I love them even more

[@Aminashins]

alright y'all got some explaining to do on why THATS the most replayed part

[@tokio6332]

boobies

[@Ice_breaker3]

This is amazing

[@goldyguch2787]

Thank you SOOOOOO much💕✨ finally, I can sleep now😴😴

[@170skeith]

I didn't like plastic beach at first but years later it became one of my favorites behind demon days

[@notryry]

Im so glad you talked about doncamatic! Such an underrated track

[@alang.bandala8863]

I already knew the hole story of the band, BUT I came to apreciate the job and effort of this video. Seriusly, thank you!

[@Ducky-ze1ls]

Thank you!

[@not.feebsss]

I never knew the chosen one had diarrhoea. Thank you for this information. 🤭🤭🤭

[@CavStillLovesStuPot]

Fr- Also, hello friend- But like, me and my friend where js like discussing this topic-

[@not.feebsss]

Heyyyyyyy

[@cxmls20]

😂😂😂

[@twenty_five_pilots_keons]

​@@not.feebsss I am taking ur pfp and hugging it RIGHT FUCKIN NOW I WANNA HUG HIM

[@Gorillaz_fan6969.]

@@twenty_five_pilots_keons REALLL

[@spaceinvadrrz]

aghhh im so excited for phase 8

[@kelbopple]

here's a theory: i think that murdoc has always been worshiping pazuzu, which is why we see the statue in old official art. but if we look at the last cult symbol we can see that the deity of the cult is also pazuzu. now in egyptian mythology pazuzu is a protection demon, which is what i think is the reason most of the band stopped aging. BUT i have a reason as to why noodle ages regularly, for most of the band members i think that they made a deal with murdoc to join the band, but with noodle she was just delivered by fed ex. what I'm saying is that she never made the deal, she just joined so Gorillaz so pazuzu's effect never took place on her. and now that the cult has disbanded i think that the rest of the Gorillaz will start aging correctly.

[@NathanUploadz2]

Underrated asff

[@mentalbreakdance4life]

Yo I owe my life to this video. Thanks, man.

[@Milogamer16]

This video was posted on my birthday, that's cool🎉

[@andreadepaz130]

Thank you for making this video, I got lost after the Free Murdoc thing tbh, but now I finally understand it

[@dominickprive2271]

Hi, I'm watching the video and enjoying the story, but I'm slightly confused. In what format was this lore delivered? Like where did the guy who made this video learn this info? Is it all in the songs and music videos if I just watch and listen to them all in order or is this from some kind of promotional material or accompanying book or something?

[@SelfTitled76]

It’s all over the place 😂 For phases 1 and 2 there’s a book, rise of the ogre. Phase 3 there’s different booklets/Murdoc’s pirate radio show/videos, etc. Phase 5 even introduced talking to Murdoc directly through Facebook and phase 7 had podcasts, TikTok’s, so much to keep up with lol

[@Homodemon]

Books mostly, Gorillaz back then had some very in detail side material that nowadays is out of print but that has survived thanks to archiving The first half for example all comes from the book Rise of the Ogre, including the illustrations you see

[@PedroElMano-th6mm]

it '"feels good" to have finished this video

[@zmsn.]

Awsome video made with love. By the way how would you rank Phases in terms of best lore, which one would be highest and which the lowest?

[@SelfTitled76]

I’ve been waiting for a comment like this lol Phase 5 TNN (cause it’s 2D centric and Murdoc has a change of heart) Phase 7 CI Phase 2 DD Phase 1 Gorillaz Phase 3 PB Phase 4 Humanz Phase 6 SM (it’s confusing, all over the place, and hard to make sense of)

[@Xenon_am_45]

Omg thank youuuu i did not want to scour the internet for all the lore

[@erinspbrown]

I don't know what I was expecting when I went to watch this but it wasn't this. I'm so glad that I watched it.

[@reneenoriega4524]

Funny how Noodle can't escape ending back in Japan every time something happens lol

[@margesimpsond]

this is my favorite youtube video ever

[@reneenoriega4524]

I love how convoluted the excuses of why the band can't be on the live shows get with time

[@nettier]

thankss!!

[@justmikaela777]

Lucky I decided to get in the lore today lol