The group officially formed December 21, 2010, and released its first single and video for "Full Moon (Death Classic)" on March 8, 2011. On April 26, 2011, they released their debut album, the mixtape Exmilitary. NBCNewYork.com called it "an intense, dark listen."
On February 27, 2012 Death Grips signed with Epic and released two albums the same year. The first official album, The Money Store, was released on April 24. Music videos were made for the singles "Blackjack," "Get Got," and "Fever (Aye Aye)." The track "Lost Boys" was also released alone with no video accompaniment.
After a month and a half long ARG involving the deep web, and a spat with Epic over its release, Death Grips leaked the album No Love Deep Web on its website on October 1st, 2012. This resulted in someone closing down the band's website. The band said it was done by the label, which the label denied shortly.
On November 13, 2013, the band spontaneously made available their third LP within two years, Government Plates. The album was posted to their soundcloud page and website, much like No Love Deep Web, but without any sort of lead up or prior hype, except one single, Birds released months beforehand, taking most listeners by complete surprise.
On June 8, 2014, Death Grips released the first half of a new double album featuring Björk, The Powers That B. Disc 1 is titled Niggas on the Moon, and features heavy sampling of Björk's vocal snippets. Disc 2 is titled Jenny Death.
On July 2, 2014, Death Grips announced on Facebook that they have canceled all tour dates, and are finished as a band, stating: "we are now at our best and so Death Grips is over. we have officially stopped. all currently scheduled live dates are canceled. our upcoming double album "the powers that b" will still be delivered worldwide later this year via Harvest/Third Worlds Records. Death Grips was and always has been a conceptual art exhibition anchored by sound and vision. above and beyond a "band". to our truest fans, please stay legend."
On March 24, 2015, Death Grips announced a world tour, confirming the group is currently active. Their double album, The Powers That B was released officially on March 31, 2015.
On February 7, 2016 the single "Hot Head" from their upcoming album "Bottomless Pit" was dropped.
On March 13, 2016, a video was posted on their official channel of the band being interviewed by Matthew Hoffman. The original audio was removed and replaced with instrumentals made by the band.
On March 18, 2016, the band released more information about the upcoming album, Bottomless Pit. The front and back covers were shown as well as the track list.
Bottomless Pit was released on May 6, 2016, with "Hot Head" and "Eh" as singles. Music videos were produced for "Eh" and "Giving Bad People Good Ideas".
On May 30, 2016, Death Grips released a new track, "More Than the Fairy" featuring musician Les Claypool.
On May 22, 2017, Death Grips announced they were working on a new album, while simultaneously releasing a track/mix entitled "Steroids (Crouching Tiger Hidden Gabber Megamix)", featuring 7 new songs.
In March of 2018, the trio posted two photos on their Instagram account (@bbpoltergiest) stating that they were working on the new record with Andrew Adamson, the director of the Shrek series, and Justin Chancellor, the bassist from Tool.
On March 22, 2018, the band announced on their website (thirdworlds.net) that their new album "Year of the Snitch" was "coming soon..."
April 6, 2018, the cover artwork for "Year of the Snitch" is posted on the band's Facebook page.
On June 22nd, Year of the Snitch was released accompanied by five singles: Shitshow, Hahaha, Flies, Black Paint and Streaky. Rolling Stone would go on to name Black Paint song of the summer.
Black Paint
Death Grips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Black, black paint
Drip freak freak seek seek so cold today
Black, black paint
Making sounds that don't deserve us like blou
Black, black paint
Those are my Satanic urges right now
Right, right now
I'm down for
Boom, boom boom
Boom boom boom
Sic-sic-sic-sic
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
I require privacy
I'm always thinking finally
Dreaming, feigning
Raised up over out my smoke, black paint
Black, black paint
I am gonna take your coat, say thanks
Black, black paint
Sick people felt light up your eyes somehow
Black, black paint
Those are my Satanic urges right now
Right, right now
I'm down for
Boom, boom boom
Boom, boom boom
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
I require privacy
I'm always thinking finally
Dreaming, feigning
Changing, cheating
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom
Boom, boom, boom boom, boom, boom, boom
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
I don't have enough power
I was staring right at her
Hold, hold, hold
This statue, this statue
Black, black paint
Black, black paint
Black, black paint
Black
You think I could hold
This statue off the balcony
I think I'll stay a while
I think I'll stay a while
Spin the bottle
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom boom
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom boom
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
I require privacy
I'm always thinking finally
I require privacy
I'm always thinking finally
Dreaming, feigning
Changing, cheating
The lyrics of "Black Paint" are hard to interpret. They seem to be a meditation on privacy and the self. The first verse references curtains soaked in shadow and black paint, which could indicate hiding or masking one's true self. The lines "Making sounds that don't deserve us like blou" could suggest feeling undervalued or underestimated. The mention of "Satanic urges" adds to the overall sense of inner conflict and transgression, as if the singer is acknowledging the darker impulses within themselves. The repetition of the phrase "Boom boom boom" throughout the song could be a nod to the relentless pace of modern life, and the need to find some kind of release or escape.
The second verse adds more layers to the theme of privacy and the self. The singer "require[s] privacy" and is "always thinking finally", suggesting a need for introspection and reflection away from outside influence. The lines "Dreaming, feigning, changing, cheating" could refer to the different ways in which people can present themselves to the world, and the tension between authenticity and performance. The repeated phrase "I think I'll stay a while" could be seen as a refusal to conform or be swayed by external pressures. In line with this, the final lines of the song return to the image of black paint, perhaps symbolising the singer's refusal to be a blank canvas for others to project their own ideas onto.
Line by Line Meaning
Drop the curtains soaked in shadow, more shade
The singer is implying that their surroundings are too dark and they need some light. They want to see things clearer and not be in the shadows.
Drip freak freak seek seek so cold today
The singer is saying that they are feeling very lonely and isolated on this particular day. They are searching for ways to cope and feel better.
Making sounds that don't deserve us like blou
The singer is expressing disappointment in some of the sounds they are hearing. They feel that these sounds are not worthy of their attention.
Those are my Satanic urges right now
The singer is referring to their darker, more destructive impulses as 'satanic urges'. They are feeling overwhelmed by these urges and don't know how to deal with them.
Boom boom boom... Hey hey hey hey hey
The singer is using these repetitive phrases to create a sense of urgency and excitement. They are trying to hype themselves up and get ready to take action.
I require privacy
The singer is declaring that they need some alone time. They want to be left alone with their thoughts and are asking for others to respect their boundaries.
Raised up over out my smoke, black paint
The singer is feeling overwhelmed and disoriented. They feel like they are surrounded by darkness and confusion.
I am gonna take your coat, say thanks
The singer is talking about a social situation where they take someone's coat. They are being polite and saying 'thanks' but also hinting that they may have ulterior motives.
Sick people felt light up your eyes somehow
The singer is describing a situation where some people are trying to make them feel better. However, the singer is not really feeling it and can see through their intentions.
Boom boom boom... Hey hey hey hey hey
The singer is once again using these phrases to create excitement and hype themselves up.
I don't have enough power
The singer is feeling powerless and unable to affect change in their life. They are struggling to find the energy to keep going.
Hold, hold, hold. This statue, this statue
The singer is using these phrases as a metaphor. They are talking about holding onto something that is important to them, but they are struggling to keep it under control.
You think I could hold this statue off the balcony
The singer is asking a rhetorical question. They are wondering if they are strong enough to hold onto something valuable and not let it slip away.
Black, black paint
The singer is repeating this phrase to create a sense of darkness and foreboding. They are painting a picture of an ominous, threatening environment.
You think I'll stay a while
The singer is once again asking a rhetorical question. They are unsure if they are going to stick around for a while or move on to something else.
Spin the bottle
The singer is referencing a game where people spin a bottle and whoever it points to has to perform an action. They are using this phrase to indicate that they are ready to take action.
Dreaming, feigning, changing, cheating
The singer is listing off various actions and emotions. They seem to be grappling with these different feelings and trying to decide which direction to go in.
Lyrics © WARP MUSIC LIMITED
Written by: Andy Morin, Zach Hill, Stefan Burnett
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Downward Spiral
>Be me
>Be part of a three-person band
>Be lead vocalist
>Make a mixtape that gets pretty popular
>Music is a mixture of electronica and hip hop
>Release an album
>Album is beloved by fans and critics alike
>Start incorporating rock and noise into music
>Things are going great
>Go on a tour of America
>Gain cult following
>Be Sarah from Kero Kero Bonito
Waylander
[Verse 1]
Drop the curtains soaked in shadow, more shade
Black, black paint
Drip freak freak seek seek so cold today
Black, black paint
Making sounds that don’t deserve us like blou
Black, black paint
Those are my Satanic urges right now
Right, right now
[Pre-Hook]
I’m down for-
Boom, boom boom
B-boom boom boom
Sic-sic-sic-sic
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
[Hook]
I require privacy
I’m always thinking finally
Dreaming, feigning
[Verse 2]
Raised up over out my smoke, black paint
Black, black paint
I am gonna take your coat, say thanks
Black, black paint
Sick people felt light up your eyes somehow
Black, black paint
Those are my Satanic urges right now
Right, right now
[Pre-Hook]
I’m down for
Boom, boom boom
B-boom, boom boom
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
[Hook]
I require privacy
I’m always thinking finally
Dreaming, feigning
Changing, cheating
[Bridge]
Boom, boom, b-boom, boom, b-boom, boom
Boom, boom, boom boom, boom, b-boom, boom
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
I don’t have enough power
I was staring right at her
H-hold, h-hold, h-hold
Black, black paint
Black, black paint
Black, black paint
Black, black paint
You think I could hold
This statue off the balcony
I think I’ll stay a while
Spin the bottle
[Pre-Hook]
Boom, boom, boom, b-boom, boom boom
Boom, boom, boom, b-boom, boom boom
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
[Hook]
I require privacy
I’m always thinking finally
I require privacy
I’m always thinking finally
Dreaming, feigning
Changing, cheating
Ian Beach
Drop the curtains soaked in shadow, more shade
Black, black paint
Drip freak freak seek seek so cold today
Black, black paint
Making sounds that don't deserve us like blou
Black, black paint
Those are my Satanic urges right now
Right, right now
I'm down for-
Boom, boom boom
B-boom boom boom
Sic-sic-sic-sic
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
I require privacy
I'm always thinking finally
Dreaming, feigning
Raised up over out my smoke, black paint
Black, black paint
I am gonna take your coat, say thanks
Black, black paint
Sick people felt light up your eyes somehow
Black, black paint
Those are my Satanic urges right now
Right, right now
I'm down for
Boom, boom boom
B-boom, boom boom
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
I require privacy
I'm always thinking finally
Dreaming, feigning
Changing, cheating
Boom, boom, b-boom, boom, b-boom, boom
Boom, boom, boom boom, boom, b-boom, boom
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
I don't have enough power
I was staring right at her
H-hold, h-hold, h-hold
This statue, this statue
Black, black paint
Black, black paint
Black, black paint
Black, black paint
You think I could hold
This statue off the balcony
I think I'll stay a while
I think I'll stay a while
Spin the bottle
Boom, boom, boom, b-boom, boom boom
Boom, boom, boom, b-boom, boom boom
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
I require privacy
I'm always thinking finally
I require privacy
I'm always thinking finally
Dreaming, feigning
Changing, cheating
cologne fiend
Ahh yes can't wait to add this to my lo fi chill study beats playlist
The 2nd Coming
Already know👀
Al Syafiq
@Will Yeah, just like most of yots , even parts where MC Ride is being loud, it sounds quite striped back, the album is still so damn amazing tho for me
Will
i actually find it kinda chill idk why
Alpha Lax
@SlyHikari03 death grips to spread your eagle cross the block to
Adipocere
Have you?
gallo macaco
This song is CLEAN. Let your kids listen all they want! No profanity at all!
Afiquacks
@Yousif Nouman damn bro
You're hard 😂👍
Yousif Nouman
@Afiquacks Yeah I personally play Metallica for them.
Afiquacks
@Generally Good Music bruh wtf
Who play Death Grips for their kid before they go to sleep 💀💀💀