Robert Del Naja (born 21 January 1965, in Bristol, England), also known as 3D, is an English artist and musician. Originally famous as a graffiti artist and a member of the Bristol group known as "The Wild Bunch", Del Naja went on to become a founding member of the band Massive Attack in addition to working with James Lavelle as a collaborator on the UNKLE albums Never, Never Land and War Stories.
Del Naja is one of the founding members of Bristol trip-hop collective Massive Attack, who burst onto the dance scene with their debut album Blue Lines to considerable praise from critics and listeners alike. The second album, Protection, featured more usage of string music and an additional dub feel.
Massive Attack's next album was titled Mezzanine and featured a move to a more guitar based sound. Del Naja has said "it was more my direction on this record." However he has also admitted that he got his own way by "being stubborn, throwing tantrums — the usual fucking childish behaviour." It also features more of Robert's own voice particularly on songs such as "Inertia Creeps" and "Risingson". Inertia Creeps was influenced by Del Naja's experiences in Istanbul, and the whole of the album has strong beats from various cultures.
100th Window, Massive Attack's fourth album, was effectively a solo project for Del Naja. It attracted some mixed reviews, which included some wholehearted praise. Stylus Magazine, for example, said: "100th Window is a masterpiece of its kind" and it "sounds fresh and wondrous."
His vocal performance is very distinctive, spoken in an almost whisper, with an echo effect applied over the top. 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. Indeed 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 different 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.
He took part in the largest ever British graffiti art battle alongside Wolverhampton artist 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.
Del Naja also created the cover art for UNKLE's 2007 album War Stories. His artwork is featured on their merchandise and t-shirts, too.
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