Death Grips Dropped By Epic Records

Whoa, so … OK, either this is a HUGE publicity stunt or Death Grips is completely out of their contract with Epic Records. Yesterday, we reported that the West Coast harsh-rap outfit shared emails from Epic regarding the group’s leaking of No Love Deep Web last month. We thought it was completely bullshit—well some of us, at least—because it all looked like some really clever marketing to better brand the guys as, you know, real punks.

But Pitchfork is now reporting that Epic has indeed dropped Death Grips. They received the following statement from the label, much to the surprise of, well, me and I’m sure plenty of folks:

Epic Records is a music first company that breaks new artists. That is our mission and our mandate. Unfortunately, when marketing and publicity stunts trump the actual music, we must remind ourselves of our core values. To that end, effective immediately, we are working to dissolve our relationship with Death Grips. We wish them well.

You know, should we be that surprised? Death Grips, for one, were never the greatest fit for a major label. They might have gotten their start like other hip-hop outfits these days—successful online following breeds contract with big wigs—and they do have a very unique sound. Well, aside from kind of ripping off that B L A C K I E dude. But I digress. I think this is all just very, very interesting, and I can’t wait to see how Death Grips responds. [via]