Massive Attack

Tricky
Former Massive rapper. Shared flat with 3D. Split in1995 to release mega-hit 'Maxinquaye' and milk-curdling follow-up 'Pre-Millenium Tension'. Bit scary. "We were well fortunate to be working with someone as talented as Tricky," says Grant. "He's one of the top lyricists. He's a bit of a prick as well sometimes..."




Nellee Hooper
Wild Bunch DJ. Left in late 80s to pursue mammothly successful career as producer, working on Massive's 'Protection' as well as with Soul II Soul, Bjork, All Saints and Madonna. Great mistake: inflicting dulcet tones of then-girlfriend Naomi Campbell on the World.




Madonna
Biggest female pop artist in the World. Massive Attack allegedly so terrified of meeting her that they hid. Finally collaborated with her on single 'I Want You'.




Bristol City
South Bristol's 'The Robins' are 3D's team: he used to live within spitting distance of their ground. After a string of dodgy seasons, promotion to First Division currently looks odds-on.




Shara Nelson
Former Massive Attack vocalist, celebrated for heartstopping vocals on 'Blue Lines'. Left acrimoniously in 1995. Solo debut 'What Silence Knows' nominated for Mercury Music Prize. Follow-up 'Friendly Fire' sank without trace.




Napoli
3D's other team, from his dad's hometown of Naples. Currently having a thin time of it, languishing at the bottom of Italy's Serie A with only two wins all season. They're going down!

Weed
The track 'Blue Lines' opens with a spliff being heavily drawn on. "Can't be with the one you love, then love the one you're with," mumbles Tricky. "Spliff in the ashtray, Red Stripe I pull the lid..." When Grant skins up, he puts bud and hash in.

Willie Wee
Original Wild Bunch rapper with unstructured, part-time role in Massive Attack. Contributes a couple of lines to 'Blue Lines' and described himself at time as "tour manager and vibesmaster". Well-known Bristol club face running raves and parties. Rapped with them on the 'Protection' tour. Real name Claude. All round nice guy.

Graffiti
Before Massive Attack, 3D was a renowned graffiti artist around Bristol, getting nicked several times for his trouble. His work inspired a whole generation of Bristol sprayers, based around the Barton Hill Youth Club. Then they all got nicked as well.

Eurochild
3D designed 'concept', featured on the sleeve of 'Protection' and in the stage sets of subsequent tour. Looked like a load of beachballs, with a knife and fork attached to it. Or a Happy Eater logo. Er...

Liz Frasier
Singer with The Cocteau Twins, famed 80s indie band of ethereal persuasion. Grant remembers selling copies of their 'Pearly Dewdrops' Drops' EP when he worked in Bristol's Revolver record shop. 'Mezzanine's guest vocalist, adding her swooping tones to 'Group 4' and 'Teardrop'.

Cider
No, we're not joking. Apparently they love it. Especially that 3D, a longtime regular at noted 'Brizzle' cider pubs like Cotham Porter Stores.

index