The California Raisins were an animated musical group created for a 1986 California Raisin Advisory Board advertising campaign. Known for their Motown and R&B style, their most notable work was a cover of Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine". The band was brought to life through Claymation, a unique animation technique using clay, and their success led to spin-off albums and television specials. Despite being a marketing creation, the California Raisins played a significant role in pop culture during the late 1980s and early 1990s.