Hip-hop group confirmation
The influential experimental hip-hop group has seemingly confirmed their permanent breakup.
- Read more: Intensive, invisible interview with 2012
Group history and impact
The trio, featuring producers Zach Hill and Andy Merina alongside MC Ride, has been mostly inactive since releasing their EPs “Gmail” and “Restrictive Orders” in 2019. Now, confirmation of their separation appears to have emerged.
A leaked direct message from Morin states: “Yes, it’s all over.” He mentioned MC Ride’s real name, Stefan Bernett, adding: “Stefan no longer wants to participate. But, honestly, none of us can predict what will happen to the group.”
Death Grips officially broke up today – a very sad O7 Day pic.twitter.com/9wd4un9a3k
– Sand Underman (@sand_underman) February 8, 2025
The Sacramento-based collective gained attention in 2011 with their mixtape “Exmilitary,” followed by their debut album “The Money Store” in 2012. They initially signed with Epic Records but faced a setback when their second album “No Love Deep Web” leaked as a free download, violating their contract.
They temporarily disbanded in 2014 after releasing their expansive double album “The Powers That B,” only to reunite a year later and embark on a world tour. Two additional albums followed: “Bottomless Pit” in 2016 and “Year of the Snitch” in 2018. “Gmail” and “Restrictive Orders” were also released in commemoration of Warp Records’ 30th anniversary.
Their music is characterized by a punk ethos and a diverse fusion of genres, ranging from industrial and lo-fi to noise and dark electronics. Their chaotic and physically charged live performances captured the attention of music enthusiasts.
NME reviewed their performance at Pitchfork Paris in 2012, stating: “Ride taps away on a computer and begins to extend sounds. Hill crouches behind his setup, creating several bars. The crowd appears anxious. This is because Death Grips’ music has a visceral impact on your body. They grip your insides with relentless gutter synths, and unusual drums target parts of your brain you never knew existed.”
In 2022, a hint of potential new material surfaced when the group shared a brief 15-second video on social media, but no projects have materialized since then.
https://www.nme.com/news/music/death-grips-appear-to-have-split-up-3836360?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=death-grips-appear-to-have-split-up
