Gorillaz and De La Soul are two distinct musical acts often associated through their 2001 collaboration; Gorillaz is a British virtual band created by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, emerging in the late 1990s and known for blending alternative rock, electronic, hip hop and pop with a multimedia visual identity centered on animated characters, while De La Soul is an American hip hop trio from Long Island, New York, formed in the late 1980s and recognized for inventive sampling, eclectic production and playful, socially aware lyrics that helped shape alternative hip hop. Both acts are noted for collaborative, genre-crossing approaches and influential contributions to contemporary popular music.