Biography
Death Grips is an experimental multi-genre group hailing from Sacramento, CA, formed in 2010. The band consists of vocalist Stefan “MC Ride” Burnett and producers Zach Hill and Andy Morin. Their unique sound blends elements of punk rock, hip-hop, noise, industrial, and electronic music.
The group burst onto the scene with the release of their first mixtape, Exmilitary, on April 25, 2011, featuring their popular song “Guillotine.” Soon after, they signed with Epic Records and released their debut studio album, The Money Store. However, tensions with the label arose when Death Grips teased their second album through an alternate reality game (ARG) and subsequently leaked it themselves as No Love Deep Web. This move led to their departure from Epic Records.
In 2013, Death Grips founded their own label, Third Worlds, and surprise-released Government Plates. The band continued to push boundaries with the release of the first half of The Powers That B in 2014, followed by Jenny Death later that year. Despite announcing their disbandment in 2014, Death Grips returned in 2015 and released Bottomless Pit in 2016.
Known for their intense live performances and provocative lyrics, frontman Stefan Burnett brings a raw and visceral energy to the group. His violent and confrontational lyrics touch on themes of individualism, paranoia, mental illness, drug use, occultism, and societal decay.
With a discography that includes both vocal and instrumental albums, Death Grips has solidified their reputation as one of the most boundary-pushing and genre-defying acts in contemporary music. Their latest album, Year of the Snitch, released in 2018, further cements their status as pioneers in the experimental music scene.
