Death Grips have pushed their label one step too far. Epic Records announced on Thursday that they are "working to dissolve [their] relationship" with the hip-hop group, a month after the band posted their new album as a free download.
"Epic Records is a music first company that breaks new artists," the major label told Pitchfork. "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."
Epic's decision does not just follow the leak of No Love Deep Web, which is still available for free online. Earlier this week, the gnashing, noise-rap act posted an email to Facebook that appears to have been sent by their label. "Epic is extremely upset and disappointed that the artist decided to release an album without Epic's knowledge or involvement," writes Epic's senior vice president for business and legal affairs.
Accused of breaching their contract, Death Grips are ordered to surrender their master recordings and remove the music from the web. No Love Deep Web "will not count towards [Death Grips'] recording commitment [to Epic]," they write. "[We] will not pay for an album that thousands of people have already downloaded."
The email continues: "Epic has done nothing except wholeheartedly support the band, even though the band has made certain decisions that have financially damaged Epic." When Death Grips posted the screenshot, they appended the note "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA NOW FUCK OFF".
Death Grips have since deleted their Twitter account. The group is currently on tour, playing the UK next week.
