As well all probably know by now, Death Grips have unfortunately broken up. They’ve devastated their fans and made a lot of people angry (most of all Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor who chose them to open for NIN’s and Soundgarden’s upcoming joint headlining tour). But none of that is what this is about, instead of talking about whether or not Death Grips are coming back, or if what they did was “right” or not, or whether or not we’re just being trolled again, I just wanna talk about how great their short-lived musical career was.

Over the span of just 3 years they released 5 full length albums, all of which were more experimental and ground-breaking than most any other music being released in that time. At the start of their “career” they released their debut mixtape “Ex-Military” that sampled anything from the Beastie Boys, to Black Flag, and everything in between. Then they signed to a major label, released “The Money Store” which was considered by many the best album of 2012 (including myself and uh, well thissss guy). Then that very same year they dropped NO LOVE DEEP WEB completely for free on their website after their label told them they had to wait until next year to release it. Most recently they released two more free albums online, Government Plates at the tail end of 2013, and now the first half of a double album called “The Powers That B” just came out before they announced their break-up called “niggas on the moon.” All of their releases have starkly different sounds, and will make you feel paranoid, terrified, uncomfortable, triumphant, angry, and noided…sometimes all within one song. Instead of just giving a history lesson though, here are Death Grips’ 10 best songs.

10. Anne Bonny

A definite stand out track from Government Plates. The main complaint of Gov’t Plates from most was that it wasn’t as focused on the vocal delivery of MC Ride as previous material, but this song melts together old and new Death Grips perfectly. Ride’s psychotic flow is in the forefront, but it’s aided by the sinister and punishing instrumental that erupts underneath it.

9. Guillotine

I vividly remember my first experience with Guillotine. I was a senior in high school, and previous to this song, if I heard anything even remotely reminiscent of hip-hop or rap I would instantly dismiss it, Guillotine changed that entire mentality for me. Till that point in my life, I had always really liked music and loved the way it made me feel, but MC Ride screaming in my face and that volatile beat pulsating in the background, barely even able to contain itself within in the song, honestly terrified me and I didn’t know how to explain my feelings in words. I had never thought that music could sound like that before, and trying to sound as least pretentious as possible, if it wasn’t for this song and for DG in general, I would definitely not be the person I am today.

8. Hustle Bones

On an album that I consider to be flawless, it’s pretttty difficult for me to choose highlights from it, but an obvious first choice is the “deep cut” (can there be a deep cut on a Death Grips album?) Hustle Bones. If you’ve listened to Death Grips’ discography then you know that The Money Store is definitely their “pop album”. The hooks on this album are undeniably catchy, and the beats and electronics are actually very pleasant on the ears, and easy to listen to. The female vocal sample that’s looped under the chorus gives it an incredibly accessible feel, and right after the chorus ends it sounds as if MC Ride is running for dear life away from the gigantic synth line that propels the song forward. A great song that stands above even some of the other amazing songs on this album

7. Takyon (Death Yon)

6. Punk Weight

5. No Love

4. Birds

3.  Hacker

2. The Fever (Aye Aye)

1. Come Up and Get Me