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The juggalo rap legacy actually began in the late 1980's
when a small group of gangsta rappers known as the ICP (Inner City Posse) were making some noise locally in Detroit. It was
the first serious venture into the local rap scene of group who would come to be known as the Insane Clown Posse. As a teen
Violent J. released "Intelligence & Violence" along with D-Lyrical. Then he, along with brothers 2 Dope and John Kichass,
released "Bassment Cuts". But the first release that gained them local attention was "Dog Beats." This album led to the beginning
of a long lasting relationship with their now manager, Alex Abbiss. Unfortunately before the group progressed any farther,
Kickchass decided it wasn't the lifestyle that he wanted. After gaining a certain level of attention as the Inner City Posse
the guys decided that it wasn't the route that wanted to take. They wanted to be something more original. But they chose to
keep the initials ICP. J remembered a dream he had recently, that was almost like a premonition, of a clown, a carnival spirit,
with six jokers cards in his hands. That marked the beginning of the Insane Clown Posse. Violent J's premonition led them
to their new goal in life. Relasing six "Jokers Cards", or albums, warning the world of impending doom. Each jokers card album
insert read the cryptic message, "After All Six Have Risen The End Of Time Will Consume Us All." Soon the rapping clowns began
their journey of the Dark Carnival by starting work on the first jokers card, "The Carnival Of Carnage." This is also began
their longtime friendship with producer Mike E. Clark who would produce their music up until 2001.
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| C.o.C |
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| C.o.C |
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| beverly kill 50187 |
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| Ring Master |
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| terror wheel |
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| icp X-mas 1994 |
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| fat sweaty betty 1995 |
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| forgotten freshness 1995 |
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| Riddle Box |
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| Riddle Box 1995 |
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| Tunnel Of Love 1996 |
Hollywood Records, a subsidiary of Walt Disney, picked up
ICP in time for the fourth jokers card. "The Great Milenko" was released on Hollywood. The album featured Slash from Guns
N Roses on the track "Halls of Illusions." The intro for the cd featured rock legend Alice Cooper. Another track on the album
featured Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols. It was expected to be the ICP's biggest release to date. But things didn't quite
work out as planned. No sooner than the album was put on the shelves, Walt Disney got word of the obscenity laced album and
pulled it off the shelves. The press was all over this obscene group that Disney had deemed disgusting. ICP was ordered to
censor themselves, and change MANY lyrics on the album. However, seeing dollar signs Island Records bought the ICP's contracts
and released "Great Milenko" on their own label. The label also released an ICP video, "Shockumentary" which was aired on
MTV. The video also reached platinum status. The album went on to become platinum and is to date considered by many one of
ICP's greatest albums. ICP was in the press very much during this era. Violent J. was involved in several incidents where
he was arrested, mostly for assaulting people. Violent J. also made headlines when he had a panic attack at a concert and
spent a short time in an institution. When it became obvious that it would not be possible to release the fifth jokers card
anytime soon, ICP put together a double disc album of previously unreleased, rare, and scrapped songs. This release was called
"Forgotten Freshness." Also, while ICP was on tour they became close to another local Detroit rap group entitled "House Of
Krazees." When one member of the group decided to go his separate way ICP saw the chance the add on to Psychopathic Records.
They recruited the two remaining members, now known as Jamie Madrox and the Monoxide Child, and gave them the name Twiztid.
Also added to the label was J's brother Jumpsteady's wifes brother, a hispanic rapper, Myzery, and gangsta rap group, Project
Born. However Twiztid, unlike the other projects were more successful and have since became Psychopathic mainstays and formed
the side project Psychopathic Rydas along with ICP, and Myzery. (who has since left the label) But during this time, ICP finished
work on the fifth card, "The Amazing Jeckel Brothers.
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| The Amazing Jeckel Brothers 1999 |
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| Amazing Jeckel Brothers |
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| Big Money Hustla$ |
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| Psychopathics From Outer Space 1999 |
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| Bizaar/Bizzar Sampler 2000 |
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| Bizzar 2000 |
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| Bizaar 2000 |
It was then time for the second annual Gathering, this year
being in Toledo, Ohio at the Seagate Center. This years event featured ICP, Twiztid, new Psychopathic rapper Blaze Ya Dead
Homie, Marz, Psychopathic Rydas, Vanilla Ice, Kottonmouth Kings, the debut performance of Psychopathic supergroup Dark Lotus,
and many more. Dark Lotus released their debut album, "Tales From The Lotus Pod" at the convention as well. The group consisted
of ICP, Twiztid, Blaze, and Marz. Unfortunately soon after the release business and personal problems destroyed the relationship
between Marz and Psychopathic and he left the group only to be replaced by new Psychopathic rapper Anybody Killa. Dark Lotus
together headlined the "Hatchet Rizing Tour" which made history being a tour featuring ONLY Psychopathic artists. Late that
year, ICP decided it was finally time to begin work on the almighty sixth and final jokers card. ICP had chosen to take a
leave from the juggalo world to work on the sixth. The major difference between that album and the rest of the cards? Mike
E. Clark, longtime producer, had gone separate ways from ICP. The new producer, Mike P. of Zug Izland, would do the work on
this album.
After months in hiding ICP returned with a new
look at the third annual Gathering in Peoria, Illinois. The Gathering featured performances by all of Psychopathic along with
Mack 10, Bubba Sparxxx, Esham The Unholy (who would soon join the label), and others. But more importantly ICP revealed the
sixth jokers card to all the juggalos in attendance. They announced it would be called "The Wraith" and was death. "The Wraith"
would have two exhibits. One would be released on November 5th of that year. That would be The Wraith's exhibit of "Shangri
La". And that one year later, they would release The Wraith's exhibit of "Hell's Pit". But at the time, juggalos were to rejoice
on the diamond rain of the era of Shangri La.
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| The Wraith: Shangri-La Sampler 2002 |
| The Wraith: Shangri-La |
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| click me... |
| The Wraith |
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| click here..... |
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| Dark Lotus |
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| Dark Lotus |
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| Black Rain 2004 |
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The Carnival Of Carnage" was the first release from
the clowns independent label, Psychopathic Records, which was to be managed by close friend, and businessman, Alex Abbiss.
ICP recruited the top acts of the local Detroit scene at the time to appear on their cd. Esham The Unholy was featured on
a track titled "Taste" along with ICP, Violent J's brother Jumpsteady, longtime friend Nate the Mack, and Capitol E. Esham
also produced several tracks on the album. Also featured on the album was popular local rapper, Kid Rock, on a song called
"Is That You?" Carnival Of Carnage recieved a pretty good local response and got ICP a good local following started. ICP then
released "Beverly Killz" which was not a jokers card, merely a taste to hold their fans over. But not long after the release,
the carnival spirit instructed the clowns to spread the message of the Dark Carnival further with the release of the second
jokers card, "The Ringmaster."
After getting a local following and doing a
few shows in Detroit, the local fans were more than ready for the release of "The Ringmaster." When the album was released
it introduced songs that are now considered juggalo classics such as, "Bugz On My Nutz", "Mr. Johnson's Head", "Southwest
Song", and "The Loons." The second jokers card gained even more local attention. The clowns were now competition with the
local acts who were once so far ahead of them. The clowns popularity had actually spread outside the local area across Michigan
and many areas in Ohio. The success of "The Ringmaster" gained attention from a few record labels. Interested in signing ICP
Jive Records made an offer. The small town rappers saw the contract and immedietly agreed to join the label. ICP released
"The Terror Wheel" to tide fans over until the it was time for the third card. And soon after being signed came the release
of the third "The Riddle Box". However things weren't going to remain as great as they were at the time for the clowns.
ICP released "Riddle Box" and made their very
first music video "Chicken Huntin" which also is now considered a juggalo classic. And the album once again sold incredibly...
in Detroit and the surrounding area. However, beyond that, the record wasn't distributed. Jive Records had paid ICP off, then
only released the album in the same area ICP had released past albums on their own. Since there was no promotion at the time
outside the Detroit area. ICP loaded up a van with homies, and samplers for the album, and headed to Dallas, Texas to promote
themselves. Things went over very well, and albums sales in Dallas, Texas increased drastically! After the success in Dallas
they moved on to another area and promoted. ICP also at this time released another album, called "The Tunnel Of Love", to
hold over the loyal fans and a Christmas cd entitled "A Carnival Christmas". Soon had ICP worked their way out of the contract
with Jive Records, and moved on to Hollywood Records, which was a huge mistake, but also great career move for them.
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| The Great Milenko |
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| The Great Milenko 1997 |
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| Mutilation Mix 1997 |
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| A Carnival Christmas '97 |
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| Psychopathic Sampler 1998 |
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| Forgotten Freshness: Volumes 1 and 2 1998 |
The fifth card was a huge hit. With songs featuring Ol'
Dirty Bastard and Snoop Dogg it debuted at number four on Billboard charts. It amazed the music industry. ICP had came along
way from the days of local shows in Detroit. The clowns went on a nationwide tour in support of the album with Twiztid, Krayzie
Bone, Biohazard, and Coal Chamber. The duo also performed at Woodstock 1999. It seemed as if things were going better than
ever for the clowns. "The Amazing Jeckel Brothers" soon went platinum as well. The album was followed by a movie called "Big
Money Hustlas" which featured Twiztid as suburban gangstas, Violent J. as a crime lord, and Shaggy 2 Dope and as the tough
cop chasing him. It also featured Rudy Ray Moore, WWF's Mick Foley, Jerky Boy Johnny Brennan, and Harland Williams (Half Baked).
The movie as well, reached a platinum status. ICP then made history by having their own convention called the Gathering of
the Juggalos. It was held in Novi, Michigan. The event featured performances by all of Psychopathic Records, Bone Thugs N
Harmony, and many other artists.
After the success of a full length movie, and
two platinum records ICP decided to branch even further out. Always being avid wrestling fans ICP started their own independent
wrestling organization, Juggalo Championshit Wrestling. JCW went on an immensely successful tour, and released two highly
successful VHS/DVD's. Then, in an effort to fulfill the contract with Island Records ICP released "Bizzar" and "Bizaar" on
Halloween. The album were released separately with different songs on each. The albums even featured a song with old partner
Esham the Unholy. After this release ICP went their separate ways from Island Records.
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| Forgotten Freshness: Volume 3 2001 |
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| The Pendulum 2000-2001 |
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| Tales from the Lotus Pod 2001 |
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| Tales from the Lotus Pod (Re-Release) 2002 |
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| It's Coming |
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| Shangri-la/Hell's pit |
November 5th was the release of the sixth. "Shangri La"
was dropped on the world, along with the hit single "Homies". The album surpassed many expectations and debuted high once
again on Billboard charts. After revealing that the influence of the Dark Carnival was in fact God, ICP went on a worldwide
tour with Anybody Killa and 2 Live Crew to promote the album. ICP went on to do shows not only in America, but also Austrailia
and Europe. But mere months later it was time for the next Gathering of the Juggalos, this time at a campgrounds in Garrettsville,
Ohio. At the Gathering Violent J. released his solo project "Wizard of the Hood" and his autobiography "Behind The Paint."
The Gathering featured performances from all of Psychopathic Records again, along with Dope, Killah Preist, Bushwick Bill,
Kottonmouth Kings, and Vanilla Ice. After the Gathering had ended, ICP headlined the Wicked Wonka Tour with Bone Thugs N Harmony,
Kottonmouth Kings, and Tech N9NE. The tour ended on October 31st in Detroit when all acts, along with Esham, performed for
the annual Hallowicked event. They also all released the track "Thug Pit" in honor of Hallowicked.
At the stroke of midnight on one fightful
Winter night every official Psychopathic artists website showed nothing but a purple cross announcing the return of Dark Lotus,
which gave us just a taste of the wicked rhymes the clowns had in store for us. The album was released in April and a nationwide
tour followed. And this signified the beginning of the wicked era in ICP's history. The era of the Wraith's exhibit of Hell's
Pit. At the 2004 Gathering of the Juggalos ICP announced that when they tour in support of the Hell's Pit album they will
be doing the shows with the Hatchet's own Anybody Killa, metal sensation Mushroomhead, and old school West Coast rapper Mack
10. Also at the Gathering ICP spread the word preparing the family for what was in store for them when Hell's Pit was unleashed.
But until August 31st it's all purely speculation.
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