Exmilitary On YouTube: Why It's Still A Big Deal

Hey guys! Ever found yourself scrolling through YouTube and stumbled upon the raw, intense energy of Death Grips' Exmilitary? If you have, you're probably wondering, "What's the deal with this album being all over YouTube?" And if you haven't, buckle up, because you're in for a ride.

What’s the Exmilitary Hype?

So, let’s dive deep into what makes Exmilitary such a prominent figure on YouTube and why it has garnered such a dedicated following. Exmilitary is the debut mixtape by the experimental hip-hop group Death Grips, released back in 2011. Now, this wasn't just any mixtape; it was a molotov cocktail of punk, noise, and hip-hop, thrown right into the face of the music industry. The sound is abrasive, the lyrics are confrontational, and the whole vibe is unapologetically raw. Think of it as the sonic equivalent of a digital riot – chaotic, intense, and utterly captivating.

The Genesis of a Cult Classic

Death Grips emerged from the depths of Sacramento, California, with a sound that was unlike anything else at the time. MC Ride’s aggressive, almost screamed vocals, combined with the frenetic production of Zach Hill and Andy Morin, created a sonic landscape that was both terrifying and exhilarating. Exmilitary was their opening statement, a declaration of war against the mundane and the predictable. What makes this mixtape particularly special is its no-holds-barred approach. Samples range from Link Wray to Black Flag, mashed together with electronic noise and furious drum patterns. This unpredictable sound is a key part of its appeal. It's music that keeps you on edge, never quite sure what's coming next. This raw energy is perfectly captured in tracks like "Guillotine" and "Takyon (Death Yon)", which quickly became anthems for the group’s burgeoning fanbase. The internet played a huge role in the mixtape's initial spread. Released for free download, Exmilitary quickly found its way onto various forums, blogs, and file-sharing sites. This grassroots distribution helped the mixtape reach a wide audience, bypassing traditional gatekeepers like record labels and radio stations. The DIY ethos of the release resonated with many listeners who were tired of the polished, overproduced music dominating the mainstream. This organic growth online laid the foundation for the band's cult following, which continues to thrive today.

Why YouTube?

YouTube became the perfect platform for Exmilitary for a multitude of reasons, which helped cement its place in internet music culture. First and foremost, YouTube offers accessibility. Unlike platforms with paywalls or subscription models, YouTube allows anyone with an internet connection to listen to music for free. This was crucial for Death Grips, who had initially released the mixtape as a free download. Putting Exmilitary on YouTube extended that accessibility, allowing even more people to discover their unique sound. For many fans, YouTube serves as a digital archive, a place to find and revisit music that might not be readily available on other streaming services. Exmilitary, with its complex sample clearances and independent release, fits this category perfectly. While the band has made their music available on major platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, YouTube remains a reliable source for the full mixtape experience, complete with fan-made visuals and lyric videos. The visual aspect of YouTube also played a significant role in Exmilitary’s popularity. While the official uploads are simple audio tracks, the platform allows for fan-created content to flourish. Many fans have uploaded their own visualizers, lyric videos, and even short films inspired by the mixtape. This fan-generated content adds another layer to the Exmilitary experience, creating a vibrant online community around the music. The ability to share and embed YouTube videos made it easy for fans to spread the word about Exmilitary. Whether it was posting links on social media or sharing videos in online forums, YouTube’s sharing functionality facilitated the mixtape’s viral growth. This word-of-mouth promotion was essential in building Death Grips’ fanbase and solidifying Exmilitary’s place in internet culture.

The Copyright Conundrum

Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room: the copyright issues. Exmilitary is notorious for its liberal use of samples, many of which were not officially cleared. This has led to a cat-and-mouse game between record labels, copyright holders, and YouTube users. You'll often find versions of the mixtape being taken down, only to reappear shortly after, uploaded by a different user. It's like a musical hydra – cut off one head, and two more grow in its place.

A Mixtape Built on Samples

To fully understand the copyright situation surrounding Exmilitary, it’s essential to appreciate the mixtape’s heavy reliance on sampling. Sampling, the act of incorporating segments of existing recordings into new compositions, is a cornerstone of hip-hop and electronic music. However, it also raises complex legal issues, as artists must obtain permission from the copyright holders of the original material. Exmilitary is a masterclass in sampling, weaving together a diverse range of sources into a cohesive and groundbreaking whole. The mixtape features everything from classic rock riffs to obscure electronic samples, creating a dense and layered sonic tapestry. While this approach contributed to the mixtape’s unique sound, it also made it a copyright minefield. Death Grips did not seek clearance for many of the samples used on Exmilitary, which meant that the mixtape was technically infringing on numerous copyrights. This was a deliberate move, reflecting the band’s DIY ethos and their disregard for traditional music industry norms. By releasing the mixtape for free and bypassing traditional channels, they were able to sidestep the usual gatekeepers and get their music directly to fans. However, this also meant that Exmilitary was vulnerable to takedown notices and copyright claims. The copyright holders of the sampled material had the right to demand that the mixtape be removed from platforms like YouTube. This created the ongoing cycle of uploads and takedowns that has become a defining feature of Exmilitary’s online presence.

The YouTube Takedown Tango

YouTube operates under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which requires the platform to remove copyrighted material upon receiving a valid takedown notice. This means that when a copyright holder identifies a video on YouTube that infringes on their copyright, they can submit a takedown request. YouTube is then obligated to remove the video promptly. In the case of Exmilitary, numerous copyright holders have issued takedown notices over the years, leading to countless versions of the mixtape being removed from YouTube. However, the decentralized nature of the platform makes it virtually impossible to completely eradicate the mixtape. As soon as one version is taken down, another user will upload it, often within hours. This has created a kind of digital whack-a-mole, with copyright holders constantly chasing after new uploads. The fans themselves have become active participants in this game, re-uploading the mixtape and sharing links to working versions. This collective effort to keep Exmilitary alive on YouTube speaks to the mixtape’s enduring popularity and the strong sense of community surrounding Death Grips. The band themselves have taken a somewhat ambiguous stance on the copyright issues surrounding Exmilitary. While they have not explicitly encouraged fans to re-upload the mixtape, they have also not taken steps to prevent it. This hands-off approach has allowed the mixtape to thrive in the grey areas of copyright law, becoming a symbol of the internet’s power to circumvent traditional gatekeepers. The ongoing copyright battles have, in some ways, added to Exmilitary’s mystique. The fact that the mixtape is constantly being taken down and re-uploaded has given it an outlaw status, making it even more appealing to fans who are drawn to Death Grips’ rebellious spirit.

Why It Still Matters

So, why does Exmilitary continue to resonate with listeners today? It's more than just the controversy or the copyright battles. The music itself is groundbreaking, a fusion of genres and styles that still sounds fresh over a decade later. It's a testament to the power of artistic vision and the impact that a truly original work can have. The sheer energy and intensity of Exmilitary are undeniable. In a world of increasingly sanitized and predictable music, Death Grips offer something genuinely challenging and transgressive. The mixtape’s raw, unfiltered sound is a jolt to the system, a reminder that music can be more than just background noise. It can be a visceral, immersive experience that pushes boundaries and defies expectations. This uncompromising artistic vision is a key reason why Exmilitary has remained relevant and influential over the years. The mixtape’s themes of alienation, paranoia, and societal breakdown also continue to resonate with listeners. MC Ride’s lyrics are often cryptic and fragmented, but they capture a sense of unease and disaffection that feels particularly relevant in today’s world. The mixtape’s dark and dystopian vision is a reflection of the anxieties and uncertainties of the digital age. This thematic depth gives Exmilitary a lasting power that transcends its initial shock value. The mixtape’s influence can be heard in a wide range of contemporary music, from experimental hip-hop to industrial rock. Many artists have cited Death Grips as an inspiration, and their impact on the sound of alternative music is undeniable. Exmilitary helped to pave the way for a new wave of artists who are pushing the boundaries of genre and challenging conventional notions of what music can be. This influence is a testament to the mixtape’s enduring legacy and its importance in the history of experimental music. Exmilitary represents a pivotal moment in internet music culture. Its viral spread, the copyright battles, and the dedicated fan base all speak to the power of the internet to democratize music and challenge traditional power structures. The mixtape’s story is a reminder that groundbreaking art can emerge from unexpected places and that the internet can be a powerful tool for artists who are willing to break the rules. This legacy as a pioneering work of internet music culture is another reason why Exmilitary continues to matter today.

A Testament to Online Music Culture

Ultimately, the story of Exmilitary on YouTube is a testament to the power of online music culture. It's a story of accessibility, copyright, and the enduring appeal of genuinely original art. Whether you're a longtime fan or a curious newcomer, Exmilitary is an album that demands to be heard. Just be prepared for the sonic assault.

So next time you see Exmilitary pop up on your YouTube feed, you'll know a little more about the wild ride behind this internet-era masterpiece. It’s a story that’s still unfolding, with each new upload and takedown adding another chapter to the Death Grips legend. What are your thoughts on Exmilitary? Let’s discuss in the comments below!