Gorillaz collaborated with Sparks for a theatrical performance of “The Happy Dictator” on Jimmy Kimmel Live. The track appears on Gorillaz’s latest album, The Mountain, released on February 27 via their Kong label. Damon Albarn and Russell Mael shared vocals during the show.
Gorillaz and Sparks took the stage on Jimmy Kimmel Live to perform “The Happy Dictator.” Sparks singer Russell Mael joined Gorillaz frontman Damon Albarn, who wore a dictator-themed outfit. Four backup singers accompanied them, with animated Gorillaz visuals projected behind the performers. The track is from The Mountain, Gorillaz’s album released February 27 on the Kong label. Every song on the album features collaborations with other musicians, including Black Thought of the Roots, Johnny Marr, former Clash bassist Paul Simonon, flautist Ajay Prasanna, and sarod player Amaan Ali Bangash. Albarn described the album to Rolling Stone as “kind of the next one after Plastic Beach, really,” referring to the group’s 2010 release, adding, “It’s an entire world itself.” The album also includes posthumous contributions from Bobby Womack, Mark E. Smith of the Fall, drummer Tony Allen, and actor Dennis Hopper. Albarn explained that this aligns with the original 1999 Gorillaz Manifesto, where the character Russel could summon voices of deceased musicians.
