Not many rap albums sample Black Flag. But this is HARDCORE rap, junior.
The noise-rap trio from Sacramento, consisting of Stefan “MC Ride” Burnett on vocals, Zach Hill (also of math rock outfit Hella) on drums and production, and Andy “Flatlander” Morin on production, recorded its first single the same day it formed the band. Called “Full Moon (Death Classic),” the self-recorded and -released track was recorded during a full moon and the winter solstice (Dec. 21, 2010). Which sounds like the makings of a stereotypical satanic ritual, except that Death Grips refers to itself as “post-satan” — as well as “raw like wet penises” — in a 2011 interview with Hater webzine.
The use of Black Flag’s “Rise Above” on the song “Klink,” off 2011’s devastating “Exmilitary” (also self-released), cleverly links the violent relations between authority figures and a predominantly white hardcore punk scene to the larger-scale cruelty beset upon minorities by THE MAN. The logic doesn’t quite work out, as many punks were bent on anarchy and antagonized the cops as an endgame, in which instance, “Rise Above” could easily be synonymous with “take over.” However, “Klink” is a song aimed at freedom-loving folks just “minding my own business” who are urged to “rise above” the oppression from a police state.
In any case, “Exmilitary” was the best thing besides Shabazz Palaces’ “Black Up” that happened in the rap continuum in 2011. And Death Grips carries the same anti-authoritarian attitude as Black Flag. It even got booted out of its contract with the Epic label over its lack of respect for the bald-headed big wigs.
EARGGH! 