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The 7 Essential Facts About Gorillaz's 2D In Phase 1: The 'Celebrity Takedown' Era

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The original, raw, and slightly battered version of Gorillaz frontman 2D, known as Phase 1, remains one of the most iconic eras in modern music history. As of December 21, 2025, fans continue to dissect the band’s self-titled debut and the gritty, anti-establishment aesthetic that defined the virtual band's first four years. This deep dive uncovers the essential, often-missed details about Stuart Pot’s life during the "Celebrity Take Down" era, a time when the cartoon band was a genuine, crude criticism of mainstream pop culture.

The Phase 1 2D is a crucial entity in the Gorillaz lore, establishing the character as the sweet, vacant-eyed vocalist perpetually abused by Murdoc Niccals. This initial period, from 1998 to 2002, set the stage for the band's entire narrative, blending Damon Albarn's musical vision with Jamie Hewlett's distinctive, counterculture comic book art style.

The Complete Phase 1 Biography of Stuart '2D' Pot (1998–2002)

2D, whose birth name is Stuart Pot (sometimes cited as Stuart Tusspot), was not a musician by trade before the band's formation. His life took a sharp, accidental turn when he encountered Murdoc Niccals. The events that led to his iconic, vacant look are central to his Phase 1 persona.

  • Real Name: Stuart Pot (Née Stuart Tusspot)
  • Nickname Origin: He was nicknamed '2D' (Two-Dents) after a series of head injuries.
  • The Two Accidents: The first incident occurred when Murdoc Niccals crashed his Vauxhall Astra into the side of the funfair where Stuart worked, causing the first dent and turning his eyes black. The second dent, and the subsequent "8-ball fracture" to his second eye, happened when Murdoc hit him again with the car while trying to flee police.
  • Initial Role in Gorillaz: Lead vocalist and keyboardist.
  • First Girlfriend/Guitarist: Paula Cracker was 2D's girlfriend and the band's original guitarist. She was fired and replaced by Noodle after Russel Hobbs caught her having an affair with Murdoc in the Kong Studios toilets.
  • Residency: Kong Studios, a dilapidated, haunted recording studio in the middle of nowhere that served as the band's home and creative hub during Phase 1.
  • Personality in Phase 1: Generally docile, sweet-natured, and perpetually under the thumb of Murdoc, often portrayed as a kind of captive, reflecting his "two dents" and resulting blank-sheet-of-paper brain.

The Gritty Aesthetic and Art of 'Celebrity Take Down'

The visual identity of Gorillaz Phase 1, officially titled "Celebrity Take Down," was a deliberate artistic choice by co-creator Jamie Hewlett to reflect the band's anti-pop stance. The aesthetic was a stark contrast to the polished, hyper-produced pop stars they were parodying.

The art style itself drew heavily from counterculture comics, featuring pronounced, heavy linework, exaggerated postures, and deliberately flat colors. 2D's design in this era was notably more simple and geometric compared to later phases, with his hair often rendered in a distinctive almost-purple or blue-black hue that gave him a pleasing grunge look. This raw, unrefined look was perfectly matched to the band's early sound.

The music videos from this time—including "Tomorrow Comes Today," "Clint Eastwood," and the iconic "19-2000"—were groundbreaking. They blended 2D and the rest of the band (Murdoc Niccals, Russel Hobbs, and Noodle) into a surreal, often crude and drug-influenced cartoon world. The video for "Clint Eastwood," with its zombie gorillas and Del the Funky Homosapien as a ghostly collaborator, cemented the band's reputation for visual and musical experimentation.

Key Musical Entities and Thematic Significance of Phase 1

The self-titled debut album, Gorillaz, released in March 2001, was the foundation of the Phase 1 narrative. It was a chaotic, genre-blending masterpiece that ranged from the trip-hop melancholy of "Tomorrow Comes Today" to the punk energy of "M1 A1" and the hip-hop collaboration of "Rock the House."

The entire project was conceived as a criticism and parody of popular music and the manufactured nature of celebrity culture—hence the "Celebrity Take Down" subtitle. 2D, the vacant, sweet-voiced vocalist, was the perfect anti-hero for this theme: a singer with no real brain, a puppet of the narcissistic Murdoc, symbolizing the hollow nature of the pop stars the band was satirizing.

The Essential B-Sides: The G-Sides Album

To fully appreciate the depth of Phase 1, one must look beyond the main album to the compilation of B-sides and remixes known as G-Sides. Released in 2002, this album further highlights the experimental, lo-fi, and leftfield sound of the era, showcasing the early collaborative genius of Damon Albarn.

Key tracks on G-Sides, which are essential Phase 1 entities, include:

  • "19-2000" (Soulchild Remix): The version that gained massive commercial traction and became a major international hit.
  • "Dracula": A classic, dark, and experimental track that embodies the lo-fi, trip-hop roots of the era.
  • "Rock the House" (Radio Edit): Featuring Del the Funky Homosapien, a crucial early collaborator, this track showcases the band's hip-hop influences.

The Phase 1 era of Gorillaz, and 2D's original, geometric design, represents a pivotal moment in music history where a virtual band became a vehicle for genuine artistic rebellion. The raw, unfiltered energy of the self-titled album and the "Celebrity Take Down" narrative continues to inspire and resonate with fans seeking authenticity in a world of manufactured pop. The legacy of Stuart Pot's two dents and the grimy, early days at Kong Studios remains the true heart of the Gorillaz universe.

The 7 Essential Facts About Gorillaz's 2D in Phase 1: The 'Celebrity Takedown' Era
gorillaz 2d phase 1
gorillaz 2d phase 1

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