Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse (left to right): Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope (Joseph Utsler). Joseph Frank "Joe" Bruce (born April 28, 1972) is a rap musician record producer Professional wrestler, and actor Joseph William "Joey" Utsler (born October 14, 1974) better known as Shaggy 2 Dope is one half of the Insane Clown Posse, along with
Background information
Also known as	ICP
Origin	Delray, Detroit, USA
Genre(s)	Hip hop
Years active	1988–present
Label(s)	Psychopathic (1992–1995; 2000–present) Jive (1995–1996) Hollywood (1996–1997) Island (1997–2000)
Website	InsaneClownPosse.com
Members
Violent J (Joseph Bruce) Shaggy 2 Dope (Joseph Utsler)
Former members
John Kickjazz (John Utsler) Greez-E (Kalyn Garcia)

Insane Clown Posse is an American hip hop duo formed in Delray, Detroit. Delray is a residential neighborhood located in the industrial southwest side of Detroit, Michigan. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Hip hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a Music genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Psychopathic Records, also known as "The Hatchet" is an Independent record label based in Royal Oak, Michigan in the United States Jive Records is a British record label based in New York City, owned by Sony Music Entertainment, and operates as a quarter of the Zomba Label Hollywood Records is a Record label owned by the Walt Disney Company. Island Records is a Record label that was founded by British record producers in Jamaica. Joseph Frank "Joe" Bruce (born April 28, 1972) is a rap musician record producer Professional wrestler, and actor Joseph William "Joey" Utsler (born October 14, 1974) better known as Shaggy 2 Dope is one half of the Insane Clown Posse, along with The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Hip hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a Music genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with A duet is a Musical composition or piece for two Performers In Classical music the term is most often used for a composition for two singers Delray is a residential neighborhood located in the industrial southwest side of Detroit, Michigan. The group consists of Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler, who perform under the stage names and personas Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, a pair of murderous "wicked clowns". Joseph Frank "Joe" Bruce (born April 28, 1972) is a rap musician record producer Professional wrestler, and actor Joseph William "Joey" Utsler (born October 14, 1974) better known as Shaggy 2 Dope is one half of the Insane Clown Posse, along with The image of the evil clown is a development in American Popular culture, in which the playful trope of the Clown is rendered as disturbing through ^[1][2] Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop, referred to as "horrorcore,"^[3] and are known both for their dark, violent lyrics and their elaborate live performances. Hardcore hip hop is a form of Hip hop music that developed in the late 1980s ^[4] Insane Clown Posse has earned two platinum albums and three gold albums,^[5] but have been criticized for the violent content and perceived immaturity of their lyrics. ^[6] Originally formed under the name Inner City Posse, a dream involving a vision resembling a traveling carnival prompted a name change and the introduction of supernatural and horror-themed lyrics. A traveling carnival is an amusement show that may be made up of Amusement rides, food vendors merchandise vendors games of chance and skill thrill acts animal acts The term supernatural or supranatural ( Latin: super, supra "above" + natura "nature" pertains to entities events Horror fiction is broadly Fiction in any medium intended to scare unsettle or horrify the audience ^[7][8]

Bruce and Utsler founded the independent record label Psychopathic Records with manager Alex Abbiss. Psychopathic Records, also known as "The Hatchet" is an Independent record label based in Royal Oak, Michigan in the United States The themes of Insane Clown Posse and other acts on Psychopathic Records center on the mythology of the Dark Carnival, an omnipotent force manifested as stories surrounding a series of characters, each one offering a specific lesson designed to change the "evil ways" of listeners before "the end consumes us all". The Dark Carnival is the fictional mythology of a Concept album series by the Insane Clown Posse. ^[9] Insane Clown Posse has dedicated followers, known as Juggalos and Juggalettes. A Juggalo (male or female or Juggalette (more commonly used for a female is a member of the fanbase of the Michigan hip hop group ^[10] The group starred in their own feature film, Big Money Hustlas, formed their own wrestling federation, Juggalo Championship Wrestling, and have collaborated with many famous hip hop and rock musicians. Big Money Hustlas is a 2000 Comedy film directed by John Cafiero as his feature film debut Juggalo Championship Wrestling (abbreviated JCW and formerly known as Juggalo Championshit Wrestling is an independent Professional wrestling promotion run

History

Early history (1988–1994)

Joseph Bruce ("Violent J") and Joseph Utsler ("Shaggy 2 Dope") met in a suburb north of Detroit and wrestled in various backyard rings. Joseph Frank "Joe" Bruce (born April 28, 1972) is a rap musician record producer Professional wrestler, and actor Joseph William "Joey" Utsler (born October 14, 1974) better known as Shaggy 2 Dope is one half of the Insane Clown Posse, along with Backyard wrestling (commonly referred to in abbreviation as BYW) is a loose term used to describe the controversial practice of Professional wrestling as performed ^[7] Poverty and a difficult home life eventually drove Bruce to move in with Rudy "The Rude Boy" Hill in the ghetto of Delray, a residential neighborhood in the industrial southwest side of Detroit, Michigan. Delray is a residential neighborhood located in the industrial southwest side of Detroit, Michigan. ^[7] Bruce, Utsler and Hill formed a gang called Inner City Posse. Bruce and Utsler began listening to hip hop music and performed at local clubs, along with Utsler's brother, John Kickjazz, as a group under the same name. Hip hop music, also referred to as rap music, is a Music genre typically consisting of a rhythmic vocal style called rap which is accompanied with In 1991, the group released the self-produced album Dog Beats. Dog Beats is a 1991 EP by Inner City Posse later to be known as Insane Clown Posse. Increasing violence and jail time forced them to abandon gang life. ^[7]

In late 1991, Bruce had a dream in which "a caravan of strange and powerful beings"^[8] resembling a traveling carnival appeared to him. A traveling carnival is an amusement show that may be made up of Amusement rides, food vendors merchandise vendors games of chance and skill thrill acts animal acts The dream was the basis for the Dark Carnival mythology detailed in the group's "Joker's Card" series. The Dark Carnival is the fictional mythology of a Concept album series by the Insane Clown Posse. The group renamed themselves Insane Clown Posse and began wearing face paint as part of their act. ^[8] Insane Clown Posse began recording the first album under their new group name with producer Chuck Miller, and eventually with Mike E. Clark, who would continue to work with them throughout their career. Mike E Clark is a musician and record producer known for his work with the Horrorcore music group Insane Clown Posse. The album featured appearances from local rappers including Esham and a then relatively unknown Kid Rock. Esham Smith, is an American rapper from Detroit Michigan known for his hallucinogenic style of hip hop, rock -based beats and lyrics involving Robert James Ritchie (born January 17 1971 in Romeo Michigan) known by his stage name Kid Rock, is an American Musician and actor known for his over-the-top ^[8]

"Ghetto Freak Show" (sample) "Ghetto Freak Show", from the group's 1992 album Carnival of Carnage. Carnival of Carnage is the debut Studio album by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, released on October 18, Problems listening to the file? See media help.

Without a manager, Bruce's brother, Robert, recommended Alex Abbiss. Jumpsteady (born Robert Bruce) is a Psychopathic Records artist and older brother of Violent J ( Joseph Bruce) of the Insane Clown Posse. Abbiss, along with Insane Clown Posse, formed the record label Psychopathic Records and released the album Carnival of Carnage on October 18, 1992. Psychopathic Records, also known as "The Hatchet" is an Independent record label based in Royal Oak, Michigan in the United States Carnival of Carnage is the debut Studio album by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, released on October 18, Events 1009 - The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Christian church in Jerusalem, is completely destroyed by the Fatimid Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar) The album's distribution was limited to the area of Detroit. ^[8] Stephen Thomas Erlewine, in his review for All Music Guide, likens the musical quality of Carnival of Carnage to "a third-rate Beastie Boys supported by a cut-rate Faith No More, all tempered with the sensibility that made GWAR cult heroes—only with [. Stephen Thomas Erlewine (1973? is senior editor for Allmusic. allmusic (previously All Music Guide) is a Metadata database about music owned by All Media Guide. Faith No More was an American Alternative metal band that formed in San Francisco, California from 1982 to 1998 GWAR is . . ] more sexism and jokes that [. . . ] wind up sounding racist". ^[11] As Insane Clown Posse attracted local attention, John Kickjazz left the group. ^[8] The follow-up EP, Beverly Kills 50187, sold well and more fans turned up for shows and signings. Beverly Kills 50187 is the first EP by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, released in 1993 by Psychopathic During a live performance, Bruce addressed the audience as "Juggalos," and the positive response resulted in the group using the phrase from thereon. A Juggalo (male or female or Juggalette (more commonly used for a female is a member of the fanbase of the Michigan hip hop group ^[8]

Insane Clown Posse often reference Faygo in their lyrics and have incorporated it into their concert performances. Faygo or Faygo Pop is a Soft drink brand headquartered in Detroit Michigan

The group's second studio album, The Ringmaster was released on March 8, 1994, which resulted in the selling out larger clubs in Detroit. Events 1618 - Johannes Kepler discovers the third law of planetary motion. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) The group began to play in other cities throughout Michigan as well as out of state. Constant performing and promoting in 1994 increased sales^[12] and The Ringmaster was certified gold. ^[5] During a live performance from this period, Bruce and Utsler decided that since they had made reference to the Detroit-produced soft drink Faygo in their songs, "we figured it would be cool to have some on stage with us. Faygo or Faygo Pop is a Soft drink brand headquartered in Detroit Michigan "^[13] During the concert, Bruce threw an opened bottle of Faygo at a row of audience members giving them the finger. In Western cultures, the finger (as in giving someone the finger) is a well-known Obscene Hand gesture made by extending the middle finger of When the audience responded favorably to this action, Bruce and Utsler continued to open bottles of the soda and spray it onto the audience. This has become a trademark of the group. ^[13] The group's second EP, The Terror Wheel, was released on August 5, 1994. The Terror Wheel is the second EP by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, released on August 5, 1994 Events 642 - Battle of Maserfield - Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia. Year 1994 ( MCMXCIV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full 1994 Gregorian calendar) One of the songs from the EP, "Dead Body Man," received moderate local radio play. The same year marked the first Hallowicked concert, which has since continued annually on Halloween night in Detroit. ^[12]

Major releases (1995–1997)

In 1995, Bruce and Utsler made attempts to sign with a major label. After being rejected by several labels, they signed a contract with Jive Records who released the group's third studio album, Riddle Box on October 10, 1995. Jive Records is a British record label based in New York City, owned by Sony Music Entertainment, and operates as a quarter of the Zomba Label Riddle Box is the third Studio album by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, released on October 10, Events 680 - Battle of Karbala: Shia Imam Husayn bin Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, is decapitated Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 ^[14] However, the group became unhappy with the deal when the label made no attempt to promote the album. Using the money they received from their contract, they promoted Riddle Box on their own, which lead the band to Dallas, Texas. After a few weeks of promoting the album, all the stores in Dallas were stocking the album and were selling 1,500 copies per week. ^[14] When Bruce and Utsler returned from Dallas, Abbiss had made a deal with the Disney-owned label Hollywood Records,^[15] who had reportedly paid US$1 million to buy the group's contract from Jive. Hollywood Records is a Record label owned by the Walt Disney Company. The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been ^[16]

In 1996, the group began recording their fourth studio album, The Great Milenko. The Great Milenko is the fourth studio album released by American Horrorcore / Hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, originally released by Hollywood A review board representing Disney requested that the group remove the songs "The Neden Game," "Under the Moon," and "Boogie Woogie Wu" from the album and alter the lyrics of others, threatening not to release the album if the changes were not made. ^[15][17] Bruce and Utsler complied and went on tour to promote the album with House of Krazees as their opening act. The House of Krazees was a group of rappers from Detroit Michigan from 1993 to 1997 ^[15]

During an in-store signing, Bruce and Utsler were notified that the album had been recalled by the label within hours of its release. The Southern Baptist Church had organized a nationwide boycott against Disney, claiming that in sponsoring "Gay Days" at Disneyland and presiding over the newly gay-themed T. The Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC) is a United States -based mostly conservative Christian denomination V. sitcom Ellen, the company was turning its back on "family values". Ellen (originally titled These Friends of Mine for season one is a U ^[18] While Abbiss told the press that Disney had stopped production of The Great Milenko to avoid further controversy, Disney claimed the boycott was not related to the company's discontinuation of the album, stating their review board had "messed up" and once executives learned of the album's "inappropriate" lyrics, they decided it "did not fit the Disney image". ^[19] Disney also claimed that some of the album's lyrics were sexist. ^[20]

The album sold 18,000 copies before being recalled,^[21] resulting in the album reaching number 63 on the Billboard charts. The Billboard charts are music sales airplay and digital ranking reports distributed to the general public by Billboard magazine ^[22] After meeting with several labels, including Interscope Records, the group signed a deal with Island Records, who agreed to release the uncensored version of the album. Interscope Records is an American Record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label Island Records is a Record label that was founded by British record producers in Jamaica. ^[15][17] In David Browne's review of the album for Entertainment Weekly, he wrote "with its puerile humor and intentionally ugly metal-rap tunes, the album feels oddly dated". David Browne is an American Journalist and Author of music Biographies. Entertainment Weekly (sometimes abbreviated as EW) is a Magazine published by Time Inc Browne gave the album a C- rating. ^[21] Selling 1. 5 million copies, The Great Milenko was certified Platinum. ^[5]

Feud with Eminem

In late 1997, Bruce and Utsler met Marshall Mathers, also known as Eminem, who invited the duo to a release party for The Slim Shady EP. Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17 1972 known as Slim Shady and his primary Stage name Eminem, is an Academy Award -winning The Slim Shady EP is a 1997 EP release by Rapper Eminem on the Detroit -based Record label Web Entertainment Mathers handed them his flier advertising the event which stated that it was possible that Insane Clown Posse would appear, thus exploiting the group without asking for permission to do so. When Bruce and Utsler refused the invitation, Mathers took it as a personal offense, and attacked the group in radio interviews. Bruce and Utsler responded by releasing a parody of "My Name Is", retitled "Slim Anus". " My Name Is " is a song by Eminem, released in 1999. Further barbs between Eminem and Insane Clown Posse continued. ^{[23] [24]} In June 2000, Mathers pulled a gun on Douglas Dail, an affiliate of the group, in the parking lot of a car audio store in Royal Oak, Michigan. Royal Oak is a city in Oakland County of the US state of Michigan. ^[25] Mathers plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for two years probation and paying a $10,000 fine to avoid serving jail time. ^[26] In the spring of 2001, Insane Clown Posse's road manager, William B. Dail, was arrested in Omaha, Nebraska for allegedly choking a man who waved an Eminem T-shirt in front of the band. He was charged for misdemeanor assault and battery, released on $1,000 bond, and was soon after fined $100 after he plead guilty to a lesser charge. ^[27][28] In a 2002 interview, Bruce stated that the rivalry between Eminem and Insane Clown Posse had ended. ^[29]

Mainstream success (1998–1999)

One of the group's first projects with Island was an hour-long MTV documentary entitled Shockumentary, which helped increase album sales. MTV ( Music Television) is an American Cable television network based in New York City. ^[30] Insane Clown Posse went back on the road with House of Krazees, who disbanded halfway through the tour. Two of its members, Jamie Spaniolo and Paul Robert Methric, formed the group Twiztid, with Spaniolo performing under the name "Jamie Madrox" and Methric performing under the name "Monoxide Child," and eventually signed with Psychopathic. James "Jamie" Spaniolo, aka Jamie Madrox, is a Horrorcore rapper from Warren Michigan. Monoxide is the stage name of Paul Robert Methric (b July 14, 1973) a member of the group Twiztid. Twiztid is a Hardcore hip hop / Horrorcore rap group from Eastpointe, Michigan, formed in 1997 ^[30] On November 16, 1997, Bruce was arrested on an aggravated battery charge after allegedly striking an audience member thirty times with his microphone at a concert in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Events 534 - A second and final revision of the Codex Justinianus is published Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Bruce was held for four hours before being released on $5,000 bail. ^[31]

The group's tour was briefly derailed in January of 1998, when the group's tour bus drifted off a highway and down a bank, leaving Frank Moreno of Psycho Realm with a concussion. Psycho Realm is a Latin hip hop group started in 1989 by brothers Jacken (Joaquin Gonzalez and Big Duke (Gustavo Gonzalez from the Downtown Pico-Union As a result of the accident, Insane Clown Posse postponed two shows set for Cleveland, Ohio on January 22 and 23, but honored their promise to play the dates on January 25 and 26. ^[32] On June 4, 1998, Bruce and Utsler pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges in an Indiana court and were both fined $200 after fighting with a customer in a local Waffle House restaurant, who allegedly verbally harassed the group and threw a punch at Bruce. Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) The State of Indiana ( was the 19th US state admitted into the union Waffle House is a Restaurant chain with over 1500 stores found in 25 states in the United States. The initial charge of battery was reduced. Members of Twiztid, Myzery, and Psycho Realm were also involved in the fight and charged with battery. ^[33]

On April 19, 1998, Bruce suffered a panic attack during the middle of a show and had to be carried off stage. Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) Bruce spent two days in a Michigan mental health program. Insane Clown Posse later canceled the last two weeks worth of dates on its U. S. tour, but eventually launched their first European tour. ^[34] In Detroit, Bruce and Utsler began staging wrestling shows, originally called Strangle-Mania. Their increasing popularity resulted in a call to wrestle for the WWF. World Wrestling Entertainment Inc ( WWE) is a publicly traded privately controlled integrated media (focusing in Television, Internet, Bruce and Utsler wrestled in every major federation before forming their own wrestling league, Juggalo Championshit Wrestling, or JCW, later renamed "Juggalo Championship Wrestling". Juggalo Championship Wrestling (abbreviated JCW and formerly known as Juggalo Championshit Wrestling is an independent Professional wrestling promotion run ^[30]

In 1999, Bruce and Utsler performed at Woodstock '99, in addition to completing their fifth studio album, The Amazing Jeckel Brothers. Woodstock 1999, held July 23 - 25, 1999 was the second large-scale Music festival (after Woodstock '94) that attempted to emulate the The Amazing Jeckel Brothers is the fifth Joker's Card album by the Insane Clown Posse. Stephen Thomas Erlewine rated the album four out of five stars, writing that "[Insane Clown Posse] actually delivered an album that comes close to fulfilling whatever promise their ridiculous, carnivalesque blend of hardcore hip-hop and shock-metal had in the first place". Hardcore hip hop is a form of Hip hop music that developed in the late 1980s Shock rock is a wide umbrella term for artists who combine Rock music with elements of theatrical Shock value in live performances ^[35] The album was released on May 25, 1999, charting at number four on the Billboard album charts^[36] and has been certified platinum by the RIAA. Events 1085 - Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo Spain back from the Moors. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) ^[5] Bruce and Utsler also produced a feature film, Big Money Hustlas, directed by Osaka Popstar frontman, John Cafiero, and released direct-to-video on July 18, 2000. Big Money Hustlas is a 2000 Comedy film directed by John Cafiero as his feature film debut Osaka Popstar is a Pop punk supergroup formed in 2006 by New Yorker John Cafiero. John Cafiero is an American Punk rock Musician and Film director, Film producer, Events 390 BC - Roman - Gaulish Wars Battle of the Allia - a Roman army is defeated by raiding Gauls, 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ^[30]

During the August 20, 1999 episode of The Howard Stern Show, Bruce and Utsler clashed with fellow guest Sharon Osbourne. Events 636 - Battle of Yarmouk: Arab forces led by Khalid ibn al-Walid take control of Syria and Palestine Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) The Howard Stern Show is an American radio show hosted by Howard Stern on Howard 100, one of two channels on the subscription-based Sharon Rachel Osbourne (née Levy, previously Arden; born 9 October 1952) is an English Music manager and promoter The clash was a rift that emerged from an earlier incident in which Coal Chamber, whom Osbourne managed at the time, was fired by Insane Clown Posse. Coal Chamber was an American Nu metal band from Los Angeles California. Coal Chamber was fired two shows into their tour with Biohazard, due to poor ticket sales. Biohazard is a band originally based out of Brooklyn, New York. This led to Coal Chamber's attempt at suing Bruce and Utsler for breach of contract. ^[37] Osbourne stated that her group was receiving $12,500 per show for a scheduled two-month package tour. Bruce stated that Insane Clown Posse fans were not open to Coal Chamber's music and that refunds decreased after the group had been removed from the tour. ^[37] Osbourne referred to Bruce and Utsler as "has-beens," and Bruce told her that she can "buff his pickle". ^[37] Osbourne bet Bruce $50,000 that Insane Clown Posse's next album would not sell more than 200,000 copies, and that they would be subsequently dropped from their distributor, telling them "You're dead. Your career is over". ^[37] Bruce predicted that the group's next album would sell at least 500,000 units. ^[37] In 2000, Bruce and Utsler staged the first annual Gathering of the Juggalos, a three-day music festival games, seminars, contests, sideshows, and concerts featuring all Psychopathic Records artists. ^[30]

Independent releases (2000–present)

In January 10, 2000, Utsler collapsed on stage during a performance at the House of Blues in Chicago. Events 49 BC - Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon, signaling the start of civil war. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. House of Blues (HOB is a corporate chain of music halls and restaurants founded in 1992 by Hard Rock Cafe founder Isaac Tigrett and his friend and investor Dan Rushed to Northern Hospital, Utsler's collapse was diagnosed as being flu-related in conjunction with abnormally low blood sugar. As a result of the incident, a week's worth of concert dates had to be rescheduled. ^[38] The group's sixth and seventh studio albums, Bizzar and Bizaar, were released on October 31, 2000, peaking at numbers 20 and 21 on the Billboard 200. Bizzar is the sixth album by Insane Clown Posse. Released on October 31, 2000, it is the first half of the Bizzar Bizaar Double Bizaar is the seventh album by Insane Clown Posse. Released on October 31, 2000, it is the second half of the Bizzar Bizaar Events 445 BC – Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 91 NLTse 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard ^[39][40] In The New Rolling Stone Album Guide, Ben Sisario wrote that the albums "qualify as ICP's masterworks of both merchandising and music". Both albums were given three out of five stars. ^[41] The albums combined to sell 400,000 units, which fell short of Bruce's prediction, but exceeded Osbourne's expectations. However, the group was subsequently dropped from Island Records. ^[42]

Bruce and Utsler later signed a deal with Sony BMG's RED Distribution to distribute every release on Psychopathic Records, which would remain independently funded, produced, and recorded. Sony BMG Music Entertainment is a diverse music and entertainment group RED - An Artist Development Company (formerly R elativity E ntertainment D istribution is a Sony Music Entertainment -owned sales and marketing ^[30] On June 15, 2001, Bruce was arrested in Columbia, Missouri for an outstanding warrant in St. Louis stemming from an incident in February 2001, when Insane Clown Posse allegedly attacked employees of a St. Events 763 BC - Assyrians record a Solar eclipse that will be used to fix the Chronology of Mesopotamian history Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Columbia (kəˈlʌmbiə is the fifth-largest city in the US state of Missouri and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. Louis radio station over disparaging remarks a disc jockey made on the air. Bruce was detained by police who used several squad cars to stop Bruce, Utsler, and two associates a few miles from a venue where the group had completed a concert. Bruce was transferred to St. Louis the following day and released on bail on June 18 with no charges filed. ^[1]

When the sixth Joker's Card debuted, it was revealed that there would be two versions. While the face of the sixth Joker's Card was "The Wraith" (or simply Death), The Wraith had two "exhibits" to present to all who will listen: Shangri-La and Hell. In English Death is often given the name the " Grim Reaper " and shown as a skeletal figure carrying a large Scythe, and wearing a midnight black gown robe The Wraith Shangri-La is the eighth studio album by Insane Clown Posse. Hell's Pit is the ninth studio album by Insane Clown Posse. Released on August 31, 2004, the album is the final chapter of the Joker's Card series Each of the exhibits was given its own album. ^[43] On November 5, 2002, Insane Clown Posse released their eighth studio album, Shangri-La, the first exhibit of The Wraith. Events 1499 - Publication of the Catholicon in Treguier ( Brittany) See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. On the album's final track, it is revealed that the hidden message of their music was always to follow God and make it to Heaven. God is the principal or sole Deity in Religions and other belief systems that worship one deity. Heaven may refer to the physical heavens the sky or the seemingly endless expanse of the Universe beyond Ben Sisario criticizes the series' ending in the Rolling Stone Album Guide, writing "the whole thing was some bland divine plan [. The Rolling Stone Album Guide, previously known as The Rolling Stone Record Guide, is a book that along with its sister publication Rolling . . ] Is this man's final dis of God, or His of us?"^[41] The Wraith: Shangri-La debuted at #15 on Billboard's Top Independent Albums. ^[44] Following the release of The Wraith: Shangri-La, Bruce stated that he was considering not going through with the production of Hell's Pit. Bruce is quoted as saying "Shangri-La is the end of the road. It's the end of the Joker's Cards. After this I could do anything I want, for the rest of my life. The positivity was so unbelievable". ^[45]

On August 31, 2004, the group released their ninth studio album, Hell's Pit, the second exhibit of The Wraith, intended to warn listeners of the horrors of Hell. Events 1056 - Byzantine Empress Theodora becomes ill dying suddenly a few days later without children to succeed the Throne "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Bruce described the album as the darkest, most painful work he had ever done. ^[46] Two versions of the album were released, each containing a different DVD. One release featured a live concert and a twelve-minute music video for the song "Real Underground Baby," and another featured a short film for the song "Bowling Balls," which was the first 3-D film filmed in high-definition video. See also [[stereoscopy]] In film the term 3-D (or 3D) is used to describe any visual presentation system that attempts to maintain or recreate moving images High-definition (HD video generally refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition (SD video most commonly at display resolutions of 1280×720 ^[46] On March 20, 2007, the group released their tenth studio album, The Tempest, which debuted at number 20 on the U. Events 1600 - The Linköping Bloodbath takes place on Maundy Thursday in Linköping, Sweden. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Tempest is an album by the hip hop group Insane Clown Posse. S. Billboard 200, selling about 33,000 copies in its first week. ^[5][47]

Style and influences

"Jake Jeckel" (sample) "Jake Jeckel", from the group's 1999 album The Amazing Jeckel Brothers. The Amazing Jeckel Brothers is the fifth Joker's Card album by the Insane Clown Posse. Problems listening to the file? See media help.

Bruce and Utsler refer to the "acid rap" style of Esham as an influence on their own music. Acid rap is a subgenre of Alternative hip hop in which lyrics are often cryptic abstract or abnormal Trippy or Psychedelic, spacey dark or sinister ^[8] Insane Clown Posse is often cited as an example of "horrorcore" hip hop, which is described as a style that "utilize[s] shocking (and blatantly over the top) narratives to give an over-exaggerated, almost cartoon-like version of urban deprivation in Detroit". ^[3] Insane Clown Posse's earlier work features a rawer, minimalistic sound, while later work features a rock-oriented sound. Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. ^[48] The group's lyrics serve as a form of morality tale,^[9] with songs focusing on subjects such as cannibalism,^[21] rape, murder, and necrophilia. Morality Play is a detective story by Barry Unsworth, a Man Booker Prize -winning author for his book Sacred Hunger Published in 1996 by Cannibalism (from Spanish es ''caníbal'' in connection with cannibalism among the Antillean Caribs, also called anthropophagy (from Greek ἄνθρωπος Rape, also referred to as Sexual assault, is an Assault by a person involving Sexual intercourse with or Sexual penetration of another person Murder is the unlawful killing of another human person with Malice aforethought, as defined in Common Law countries Necrophilia, also called thanatophilia and necrolagnia, is the sexual attraction to corpses ^[49] Insane Clown Posse's debut album, Carnival of Carnage, features a more politically-oriented focus, criticizing elitism and prejudice against those who live in the ghetto. Carnival of Carnage is the debut Studio album by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, released on October 18, A ghetto is described as a "portion of a city in which members of a minority group live especially because of social legal or economic pressure ^[50] The album's liner notes also criticize the Gulf War. ^[50] The group's lyrics have opposed racism, bigotry,^[51] domestic violence, and child abuse. List of racism-related topics|Racism by country Racism, by its simplest definition is the belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that A bigot is a person who is intolerant of opinions lifestyles or identities differing from his or her own and bigotry is the corresponding state of mind Domestic violence (also known as domestic abuse or spousal abuse) occurs when a family member partner or ex-partner attempts to physically or psychologically dominate Child abuse is the physical, psychological or sexual maltreatment of children ^[52] Mike E. Clark's production for the group incorporates elements such as "carnival organ riffs, power chords and shotgun blasts [. . . ] banjolike plucking and Van Halen-esque guitar squeals",^[53] while Bruce and Utsler sometimes alternate between rapping and screaming. Van Halen is a Hard rock band formed in in 1972 They enjoyed success from the release of their self titled debut album in 1978 Rapping (also known as emceeing, MCing, spitting, or just rhyming) is the Rhythmic spoken delivery of Rhymes wordplay and Screaming is a form of vocalization, most commonly heard in sub-genres of Heavy metal and Hardcore punk, though screamed vocals also feature in music ^[54] In his review of The Tempest, All Music Guide's David Jeffries writes that Bruce and Utsler "[rap] in a carnival barker fashion that fits with their circus motif, their Insane Clown disguises, and Mike E. Clark's big top-inspired production". ^[55] Insane Clown Posse has influenced similar acts, such as Blaze Ya Dead Homie and Boondox. Chris Rouleau, also known as Blaze Ya Dead Homie, is an American rapper from Romeo Michigan. Boondox is an American rapper from Covington Georgia whose stage persona is that of a killer Scarecrow. ^[56][57]

Live performances

Shaggy 2 Dope (Joseph Utsler) films the audience during a 2003 performance.

Insane Clown Posse is known for their elaborate concert performances. In Marley Brant's Tales from the Rock 'n' Roll Highway, Joseph Bruce described a typical performance: "We toss out, kick out, and shoot out into the crowd about three to four hundred two-liters of Faygo soda at every show. [. . . ] We bring with us monsters, dancing clowns, girls, trampolines, and pure and absolute madness to the stage". ^[13] Performances feature backdrops including, among other settings, a game show set and a cemetery. ^[58][59] Bruce stated that "Shaggy and I know that without all that crazy shit going on around us, we'd just be two more idiots walking back and forth, rapping on stage. [. . . ] ICP's motto has always been 'Fuck keepin' it real: we just keep it entertaining. '"^[13]

While touring following the release of Carnival of Carnage, Insane Clown Posse was booked to play at Big Rapids University in Michigan. After the duo was announced by their manager, Alex Abbiss, Bruce remembers that "[w]e came out with no microphones or nothing; we were just right up in the people's faces. Shaggy and I were just fuckin' yelling over our own cassette. The people were staring at us in amazement and bewilderment. They must have been in shock and awe. We finished our two-song set, and the crowd [. . . ] didn't cheer or boo. They just stood there, stunned. "^[13]

The group was unable to bring the large amounts of Faygo, needed for their typical concerts, to their European tours without a sales permit visa because customs believed that the group had intended to sell the soda at their concerts. Customs is an Authority or agency in a Country responsible for collecting and safeguarding customs duties and for controlling the flow of goods As a result, the group's European record label ended up purchasing similar quantities of another soda and creating fake Faygo stickers to label the bottles. According to Bruce, "The craziness was this: they were not the regular two-liter bottles we're used to; they were some other amount [. . . ] maybe one-and-a-half-liter bottles. Over there, they make their plastic bottles taller and thinner. [. . . ] when you're doing what we do with them—that makes a world of difference". ^[13] During a performance in England, Bruce recounts that he "rocketed one of them bottles off my foot and that motherfucker shot straight up and out like a guided Patriot missile, right towards the disco ball high above the crowd. [. . . ] The bottle nailed the disco ball, and [. . . ] came falling down [. . . ] on top of some English kid's head. [. . . ] We must've knocked fifteen or twenty people flat-out cold on that tour [. . . ] Shaggy and I both had black eyes and several injuries and bruises ourselves from them things hittin' us". ^[13]

During their Woodstock '99 performance, Bruce and Utsler felt that the tickets to the event were over-priced and that they needed to "give something back". ^[13] According to Bruce, "We brought along these big beach balls. We announced to the crowd that they each had a hundred dollars taped to them, and then we proceeded to kick about thirty of them into the crowd. Then we rolled out these bigger giant-ass beach balls and announced, 'These ones have five hundred bucks taped to them!' We booted a gang of them into the human sea". ^[13]

Controversy and criticism

The January 1998 issue of Spin magazine ran a four-page cartoon lampooning Insane Clown Posse and Juggalos, claiming that the group was offensive "not for their obscenity, but for their stupidity," likening the group's stage act to "a sort of circus karaoke," and portraying the group's fans as a pack of chubby suburbanites. Spin is a Music Magazine that reports on Music for Life Founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr On the group's website, Bruce responded to the article by stating "I could give a fuck less". ^[6] Insane Clown Posse has been voted the worst band of any genre of music in Blender. Blender is an American music Magazine that bills itself as "the ultimate guide to music and more" ^[60] In his review for The Amazing Jeckel Brothers, Rolling Stone writer Barry Walters referred to the group as "the ultimate wack MCs". Rolling Stone is a United States -based Magazine devoted to Music, Politics, and Popular culture that is published ^[53] The satirical newspaper The Onion ridiculed the perceived immaturity of the musicians and, by extension, their fan base, in an article titled "Insane Clown Posse Gets Ride To Concert From Mom". Satire is often strictly defined as a literary genre or form; although in practice it is also found in the graphic and Performing arts In satire human For the vegetable see Onion. The Onion is an American " fake news " organization ^[61] They have been criticized for the extremely violent and lyrically dark content of their music. ^[4][62] The word "juggalo" has been the subject of criticism. Both Ben Sisario of Rolling Stone and Stephen Thomas Erlewine of All Music Guide have suggested that the term is similar to the racial slur "jigaboo". Rolling Stone is a United States -based Magazine devoted to Music, Politics, and Popular culture that is published Stephen Thomas Erlewine (1973? is senior editor for Allmusic. allmusic (previously All Music Guide) is a Metadata database about music owned by All Media Guide. The following is a list of ethnic slurs that are or have been used as insinuations or allegations about members of a given Ethnicity or to refer to them in a derogatory (critical ^[41][63]

On February 1, 2006, Insane Clown Posse fan Jacob D. Robida attacked people in a gay bar in New Bedford, Massachusetts with a handgun and a hatchet, a weapon featured in the logo of the group's record label, Psychopathic Records. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Jacob D Robida ( June 13, 1987 – February 5, 2006) was a Massachusetts Teenager who attacked patrons at a Massachusetts The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. See Hatchet (novel for the Young adult novel. See Hatchet (film for the Horror film. ^[64][65] Robida wore a swastika tattoo and flaunted Nazi insignia and paraphernalia on his website. The swastika (from Sanskrit: svástika sa स्वस्तिक Hindu IS CORRECT if 'ि' is positioned incorrectly see -->) is Nazism, which was a short name for National Socialism (Nationalsozialismus refers primarily to the Ideology and practices of the National Socialist German ^[66] Then, on February 5, he killed a traffic officer at a routine stop. Events 1576 - Henry of Navarre converts to Roman Catholicism in order to ensure his right to the throne of France. When police stopped him, he killed his girlfriend, Jennifer Bailey of Charleston, WV and opened fire on the police. He was shot twice in the head during the shootout with the police and died later in the hospital. ^[67] On February 7, 2006, Insane Clown Posse released a statement on the Robida attacks. Events 457 - Leo I becomes emperor of the Byzantine Empire. 1074 - Battle of Montesarchio in which the Prince Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Alex Abbiss, the group's manager, extended Bruce and Utsler's condolences and prayers to the families of the victims. "This guy had problems," said Abbiss, and "anyone going into a bar swinging an axe and shooting a gun [. . . ] would clearly have to be insane and out of their mind to do this". He also said, "It's quite obvious that this guy had no clue what being a Juggalo is all about. If anyone knows anything at all about ICP, then you know that they have never, ever been down or will be down with any racist or bigotry bullshit". ^[67]

In wrestling

• Tag Team finishing and signature moves
  • Moonsault (Violent J) followed by Diving Leg Drop (Shaggy 2 Dope)^[68]
  • 3D (Flapjack (Violent J) / Cutter (Shaggy) combination)^[69]
  • Reverse 3D (Back suplex (Violent J) / Neckbreaker (Shaggy) combination)
  • Double Dropkick (to sitting opponent's head)^[70]

• Entrance themes
  • 1997–1998: "Oddities," performed by Insane Clown Posse, in WWF. A moonsault, moonsault press or back flip splash is a professional wrestling aerial technique with much of its popularity in American wrestling being attributed Aerial techniques are spectacular maneuvers using the ring and its posts and ropes as aids used in Professional wrestling to show off the speed and agility of a wrestler The double-team maneuvers in Professional wrestling are executed by two wrestlers instead of one and typically are used by tag teams in tag team matches The double-team maneuvers in Professional wrestling are executed by two wrestlers instead of one and typically are used by tag teams in tag team matches Not to be confused with Drop kick, a maneuver in the Football codes ^[71]
  • 1998–2000: "Take It," performed by Insane Clown Posse, in WCW. ^[72]
  • 2000–present: "Chicken Huntin' (Slaughterhouse Remix)," performed by Insane Clown Posse, in JCW, TNA, and anywhere else they compete. ^[68]

Championships and accomplishments

• Juggalo Championship Wrestling
  • JCW Heavyweight Championship (1 time) - Shaggy 2 Dope^[73][74]
  • JCW World Tag Team Championship (2 times)^[75][76]

Discography

Main article: Insane Clown Posse discography

• 1992: Carnival of Carnage
• 1994: The Ringmaster
• 1995: Riddle Box
• 1997: The Great Milenko
• 1999: The Amazing Jeckel Brothers
• 2000: Bizzar; Bizaar
• 2002: The Wraith: Shangri-La
• 2004: Hell's Pit
• 2007: The Tempest

References

External links

• Official website
• Insane Clown Posse at MySpace