Death Grips: Live In Concert

Advisory: The video and audio of this live concert contains profanity.

Sometimes you walk out of a show unclear what you just saw. This appeared to be the case for many in attendance for Death Grips' stunningly pummeling set at New York's (le) Poisson Rouge during the NPR Music/Soundcheck showcase during the CMJ Music Marathon. From the California group's The Money Store -- which has been among the year's best hip hop records -- or the recently self-leaked follow up, NO LOVE DEEP WEB, Death Grips is all about challenging the listener with its boundary-pushing music.

On stage, Death Grips' delivers a visceral assault on the senses thanks to deep, gut-rattling bass, serrated beats and samples and the brutal, stick-breaking drumming of Zach Hill. But even amid the caustic deconstructed grooves, the blinding strobe lights and visuals on dual monitors behind the group, it's MC Ride who commands all the attention. Performing shirtless, the muscular and heavily tattooed MC is such a powerful frontman on stage, you cannot take your eyes off him as he flails and shouts with an imposing, unrelenting flow. 

After the set, many in the crowd looked equally traumatized and totally blown away with huge grins, knowing they just saw something completely unlike anything they'd ever witnessed. Whether or not it's "your thing," that's always the sign of a great show from a singular artist.

Set List:

• "Come Up And Get Me" 
• "Lil Boy"
• "Get Got"
• "Blackjack"
• "Takyon (Death Yon)"
• "Guillotine"
• "No Love"
• "The Fever (Aye Aye)"
• "Black Dice"
• "Spread Eagle Cross The Block"
• "Deep Web"
• "Lock Your Doors"

Credits:

Producers: Saidah Blount, Mito Habe-Evans, Amy Schriefer; Audio Engineer: Kevin Wait; Videographers: Denise DeBelius, Christopher Farber, Christopher Parks; Hosts: Bob Boilen/NPR, John Schaefer/Soundcheck; Special Thanks: (Le) Poisson Rouge; Executive Producers: Anya Grundmann, Keith Jenkins