Madonna will be paired with "virtual band" Gorillaz for Grammys

The 48th annual Grammy Awards will open with a bang, as pop diva Madonna will be paired with "virtual band" Gorillaz. The group will be present via 3D color animation in what the Recording Academy is calling a first for network television reports Billboard Magazine.

"They are Grammy-nominated," Liz Rosenberg says of the virtual group comprised of four fictional animated band members: 2D, Murdoc, Noodle and Russel. "Madonna really likes them, and they like Madonna. They are going to do something together."

Rosenberg would not reveal the number to be performed, but said: "It's going to be stupendous. Another Madonna showstopper," Liz tells PEOPLE MAGAZINE.

Gorlillaz, conceived by Blur's Damon Albarn and drawn by Jamie Hewlett (the creator of the cult comic Tank Girl), scored four Grammy nods, including record of their year for their song "Feel Good Inc."

U2 and Mary J. Blige, Faith Hill and Keith Urban, Christina Aguilera and Herbie Hancock and Jamie Foxx with Kanye West and Mariah Carey with Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir are also planned for the ceremony