Here’s a History of Gorillaz’s Collaborations With Hip-Hop Artists

Today (April 28) marks the release of Gorillaz’s fifth studio album, Humanz. Released under Parlophone and Warner Bros. Records, the project serves as Gorillaz’s first studio album since 2010’s The Fall. Featuring a number of guest appearances, the British virtual band taps into hip-hop more than ever on this LP, collaborating with the likes of Vince Staples, D.R.A.M., Danny Brown and others.

The band, known to collaborate with various hip-hop acts throughout the years, has never been afraid to mesh their signature sound with some of rap’s best lyricists. On the group's self-titled debut album Gorillaz, from 2001, they collaborated for the first time with an American hip hop act. Teaming up with MC, producer and singer Del the Funky Homosapien, the band released the lead single "Clint Eastwood" featuring the Bay Area artist. The track charted on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of the best-selling singles of the year, earning platinum status in the U.K.

Since Gorillaz's debut album, the band has collaborated with a number of hip-hop acts on their follow-up efforts. Teaming with everyone from the DOOM to De La Soul and Vince Staples, Gorillaz has managed throughout the years to successfully create hit songs with rap's elite. Even "Let Me Out," the lead single from Gorillaz's latest LP, Humanz, features them teaming up with Pusha T and Mavis Staples.

With the release of their new album today, XXL looks back at all of the hip-hop collaborations from Gorillaz on each of their LPs. Check those out below.