California’s hardcore noise-rap group Death Grips is being dropped by Epic Records, according to THR. The Sony-owned label seemed like an odd pairing for the boisterous band, so the news isn’t terribly surprising — especially considering recent stunts by Death Grips that sent the label reeling.
Just yesterday, the band posted reportedly private emails from Epic on their Facebook page with the title, “HAHAHAHAHAHAHA NOW F— OFF.” That move, along with an unapproved leak of their album No Deep Love (which sports a picture of a penis on the cover), has breached contract. Epic has issued a takedown order. “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,” the label’s statement read.
Find out what we thought about Death Grips in our CMJ report, and tune into the Pitchfork Music Festival Paris November 3 to watch them perform.