Massive Attack

Massive Attack

Massive Attack are a Bristol-based British group active since 1987 and closely associated with trip hop, alternative dance, ambient, club, downtempo, dub and electronic music. The project forms around Robert “3D” Del Naja and Grant “Daddy G” Marshall, with Adrian “Tricky” Thaws and Andrew “Mushroom” Vowles also part of the original line-up. Over time, the group continues as a duo made up of Del Naja and Marshall.

Career and recordings

The group’s debut album, Blue Lines, appears in 1991 and is often described as a landmark release in the development of trip hop. It includes “Unfinished Sympathy”, a single that achieves chart success in Europe and reaches number one in the Dutch Top 40. Their second album, Protection, appears in 1994, after which Thaws leaves to pursue a solo career.

Mezzanine follows in 1998 and becomes their first album to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart. It includes “Teardrop”, which later serves as the opening theme for the American television series House. Vowles leaves in 1999, after which Del Naja and Marshall continue the project as a duo. They release 100th Window in 2003 and Heligoland in 2010.

Collaborations, recognition and legacy

Massive Attack work with a range of recurring guest vocalists, including Horace Andy, Shara Nelson, Tracey Thorn, Elizabeth Fraser, Sinead O’Connor, Damon Albarn and Hope Sandoval. Their five studio albums sell more than 13 million copies worldwide. Blue Lines and Mezzanine both appear on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

The group’s awards include a Brit Award for Best British Dance Act, two MTV Europe Music Awards and two Q Awards. They are also known for supporting political, human rights and environmental causes.