| Robert Del Naja | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | 3D, Delge |
| Born | 21 January 1966 |
| Origin | Bristol, England |
| Genres | Trip hop, electronica |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Associated acts | Massive Attack The Wild Bunch UNKLE |
Robert Del Naja (pron. /ˈrɒbə(r)t dɛl ˈnaja/; born 21 January 1966, in Bristol, England), also known as 3D, is an English artist and musician. Initially gaining notoriety as a graffiti artist and member of the Bristol collective known as "The Wild Bunch", Del Naja went on to become a founding member of the band Massive Attack where he is active to this day.
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Del Naja is one of the founding members of Bristol trip-hop collective Massive Attack, who have released 5 studio albums and 2 compilation albums as of 2010, and has often featured as a vocalist on their releases. In addition to his work with Massive Attack, he provided vocals to "Invasion" on UNKLE's album Never, Never, Land, and "Twilight" on War Stories.
Del Naja was a young graffiti artist before becoming a vocalist; his first ever live gig was as a DJ accompanying artwork he had produced in a gallery in Bristol. He has produced work in various media, and has published a book of his art. His work has been featured in magazines and on record sleeves. The graffiti artist Banksy cites his work as an influence.[1]
He took part in the largest ever British graffiti art battle alongside Wolverhampton artist [2]Goldie.
Del Naja has two Massive Attack tattoos; one of the Blue Lines "flame" on his left arm, and a larger one similar to the beetle on the cover of Mezzanine.[3]
Del Naja also created the cover art for Unkle's four consecutive albums: War Stories, More Stories, End Titles... Stories for Film and End Titles... Redux, including the dedicated merchandise. He later designed the cover of Massive Attack's fifth album Heligoland.
Robert Del Naja's music, be it in the Wild Bunch or in Massive Attack has always been associated with the Bristol Sound, and perhaps even typifies it. He has also worked with other Bristol based artists such as Tricky and Roni Size.
Robert has said of the Bristol Scene "We all grew up listening to punk music and funk stuff and those attitudes sort of snuck into our music. That sort of brought people from different circles together and maybe it wasn't as 'cultural melting pot' as it all sounds but because Bristol is quite a small place, it becomes a lot more focused then."[4]
Del Naja is a key member of the wider Bristol Urban Culture scene.
Del Naja has no qualms about criticizing government policy. He was strongly opposed to the 2003 United States war against Iraq, and with fellow musician Damon Albarn personally paid for full page adverts in the NME magazine.
In 2005 Del Naja organised and performed at a charity concert in Bristol for Tsunami Relief with Adrian Utley and Geoff Barrow of Portishead. The two night event featured Massive Attack, Portishead, Robert Plant, The Coral and Damon Albarn and raised over £100,000. Del Naja favours a boycott of Israel and his band will not perform in Israel.[5]
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