Why Twiztid’s Lyrics on Heartbroken and Homicidal Perfectly Exemplify Horror Rap

Heartbroken and Homicidal is the 9th studio album from Psychopathic Records horror rap duo Twiztid. But it’s more significant than just another installment in their prolific discography. For many, Twiztid’s lyrics on Heartbroken and Homicidal portray just what horror rap is all about, more specifically, the balance of gore and emotion. Before we even dive into some of the lyrics present on the album’s songs, just look at the album’s title. Not much is more horrific or gruesome than homicide, and few words powerfully illustrate emotion as well as the word heartbroken does. Many outsiders incorrectly assume that horror rap has no central theme other than violence, when in fact, horror rap is just as emotional as it is violent. When these two worlds collide in harmony, pure horror rap is concocted. If you need proof, just take a listen to any of Psychopathic Records’ artists’ catalogues. Enough has been said about Twiztid’s catalogue (also signed to Psychopathic Records), but let’s take a closer look at Twiztid’s lyrics on Heartbroken and Homicidal to see where their horror rap takes us past the title. Here is a sample of Twiztid’s lyrics on the Heartbroken and Homicidal song "Circles": What can I say My claim to fame Won’t come in the shape Of hearts and flowers How come I’ve been needing a purpose Assuming that the world even cares If we all live or die Here is a sample of Twiztid’s lyrics on the Heartbroken and Homicidal song "Spiderwebs": She was a type of girl Get me in so much trouble Head over heels in this That’s why I love her She don’t think I give a f*ck to care But I’d rather die But the truth of the matter its all a lie And I can’t get her outta my mind I’m so blind As most any observer will note, both of these samples of Twiztid’s lyrics from Heartbroken and Homicidal lyrics contain mentions of love and death. And that, is the essence of horror rap, whether it be through Psychopathic Records or not. Using these two examples of Twiztid’s lyrics from Heartbroken and Homicidal, it’s safe to say that the genre is a polarized one, to say the least. How many other genres can you name off the top of your head, that like Twiztid’s lyrics on Heartbroken and Homicidal, can so nonchalantly speak of death and love in the same phrase? Psychopathic Records artists are accustomed to this writing style, as Psychopathic Records artists are experts in the realm of horror rap, but you’d be hard pressed to find artists outside of Psychopathic Records who view this as the norm. While that distinction is an important one to note, what do Twiztid’s lyrics on Heartbroken and Homicidal say about the bigger horror rap picture? Chiefly, they debunk the myth of horror rap that it’s nothing but vitriol. Twiztid’s lyrics on Heartbroken and Homicidal validate horror rap as a genre with more than one direction, whether it’s distributed through Psychopathic Records or not. Resource Box Psychopathic Records group Twiztid and their lyrics on Heartbroken and Homicidal legitimize horror rap as a genre more well rounded than most people think. To learn more about Twiztid, Psychopathic Records and their merchandise, please visit http://hatchetgear.com/bands/twiztid.html.

Why Psychopathic Records and Twiztid Torrents are Bad for Horror Rap

At first, the reason horror rap fans started illegally downloading horror rap tunes from Psychopathic Records artists was because they were free. At the dawn of the download era, this type of temptation was understandable. Why pay for Twiztid’s new album when you can download a Twiztid torrent instead? That was probably the thought process behind many horror rap fans’ decision to do things like download Twiztid torrents illegally. However, since that wild west phase on the internet more than a decade ago, it’s become apparent that doing things like illegally downloading Twiztid torrents, or torrents of any Psychopathic Records artist, is seriously damaging to that artist’s livelihood. It’s a misconception that musicians like those signed to Psychopathic Records are so wealthy that they can live large without people purchasing their horror rap music. Yes, these musicians may be better off than you or I, but the fact of the matter is that when you steal music from and Psychopathic Records artist, they start cutting their staff, many of which are essential to their career’s progression. Imagine that most fans of Psychopathic Records horror rap artist Twiztid started downloading Twiztid torrents for free online instead of buying them through hatchetgear.com, iTunes, or a traditional record store. When Twiztid starts feeling the financial pinch, he might cut his publicist. Without his publicist, he won’t be scoring nearly as many promotional gigs. Without those gigs, people won’t know about his concerts or new work, and eventually he start seeing less money in every aspect of his career. This type of chain reaction as mentioned in the Twiztid torrent scenario is the reason why many artists have vanished off the face of the earth, including horror rap artists. Just because you’re signed to Psychopathic Records does not mean you’re immune! Now that we as a society have had a decade to witness the cycle of artists who’ve fallen victim to things like the Twiztid torrent scenario mentioned above, it’s time we change our actions to better accommodate artists we admire. There’s some truth to the statement that Psychopathic Records artists wouldn’t have reached nearly the fame they enjoy today without the help of websites that give out things like Twiztid torrents. However, empty fame is less valuable than a smaller group of devoted, paying fans. Horror rap artists everywhere can get behind a sentiment like that. The moral of the story is to pass up the next opportunity you have to take action on a Twiztid torrent or other Psychopathic Records horror rap artist illegal download. You may not think it will have an immediate impact, but you’re wrong! The last thing any horror rap fan wants is for there to be no more horror rap left to enjoy! Resource Box All musicians, including horror rap artists signed to Psychopathic Records, have felt a financial hit thanks to the internet offering up things like Twiztid torrents for free. To learn more about Twiztid’s albums and purchase them legally, please visit http://www.hatchetgear.com/bands/twiztid.html.

Psycho Realm Lyrics: An Early Example of Horror Rap?

Many students of 90s hip hop could tell you about hip hop super group Psycho Realm off the top of their heads. Those same people would probably tell you, that while Psycho Realm lyrics do not epitomize horror rap values, Psycho Realm’s lyrics had enough influence on Psychopathic Records artists Insane Clown Posse for them to invite their Californian rap pals on tour. But even though Psycho Realm lyrics to not embody what horror rap is known for, at least as far as Psychopathic Records is concerned, that doesn’t mean Psycho Realm’s couldn’t have had another type of impact on horror rap Gods Insane Clown Posse. And to say that Psycho Realm lyrics did have an impact on these legendary horror rappers would be quite the compliment, because Insane Clown Posse even owns their own label—Psychopathic Records--full of other talented horror rap artists. To say they know what they’re doing would be an understatement. The similarity of Psycho Realm lyrics and Insane Clown Posse lyrics that sticks out the most to me has nothing to do with their content; instead, the delivery of Psycho Realm’s lyrics and the delivery of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope’s horror rap lyrics are on the same wave length. Both are tight, rhythmic, and dropped with intensity. Listen to Psycho Realm’s lyrics on "Stone Garden" and compare them to Insane Clown Posse’s lyrical delivery on "Hokus Pokus" (released on Great Milenko through Psychopathic Records) and you’ll see what I mean. So there’s the delivery comparison. And while there may be more to discuss in that realm of things, perhaps there is some overlap when it comes to the substance of Psycho Realm’s lyrics and the meaning of lyrics that come from the mouths of Psychopathic Records artists. Consider this snippet of Psycho Realm lyrics from "Stone Garden": We’re on our way to the stone garden, End of the road where everybody goes but not forgotten, Frames all rotten souls travel to unravel, Other worlds and big cloud castles Any Juggalo or Juggalette can note similarities in this song and Psychopathic Records’ horror rap music, specifically that of ICP, right away. For one, they’re talking about the after life, and we all know how prominent of a theme Hell and Heaven are in Psychopathic Records songs. ICP even has Joker’s cards dedicated to them. This theme is not only true for ICP, but for other Psychopathic Records artists too. Secondly, these Psycho Realm lyrics discuss departing souls. Souls that travel happen to be a lyrical staple for Psychopathic Records artists. I don’t know if there’s a closer cousin to ICP’s horror rap mythology about the Dark Carnival, where souls wait in limbo to find out if they’ll be traveling to heaven or hell. Resource Box Psychopathic Records recording artist Insane Clown Posse has many influences that are forgotten to all but hip hop students of the 90s. Psycho Realm is one of those artists. To see if you can hear any similarities in ICP’s music to Psycho Realm’s lyrics, please check out the band’s horror rap offering on http://hatchetgear.com.

Will Insane Clown Posse Concerts Still be Energetic in 2012?

In a word, yes, but there may be an ounce of truth to their assertion that the Psychopathic Records horror rap veterans aren’t as lively on stage as they once were. That’s not to say that that Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope are coming out on stage in wheel chairs, but for the astute ICP ticket buyer and Insane Clown Posse concert observer, there is a slightly noticeable difference in the live ICP of 1994 and the ICP of 2012. ICP Tickets still sell like hotcakes, Insane Clown Posse concerts are still the best time you’ll have going to any Psychopathic Records artist concert. The vast majority of Insane Clown Posse concerts were sold out in 2011, most Juggalos more than happy to fork over the dollars required for Psychopathic Records artists like ICP’s tickets these days (the average concert ticket for any musical group has increased exponentially since the early 90s, this trend is not isolated to ICP tickets). As videos of Insane Clown Posse concerts on YouTube will demonstrate, those who buy ICP tickets or tickets to any Psychopathic Records artist concert in 2012 are still in for a treat—the songs are still delivered impeccably, the crowd taunting still hostile, and the on-stage props/sideshows still present. However, the jarring dance movements and swag evident on stage at Insane Clown Posse concerts in years past has now given way to softer choreography that seems less inspired. Also, buying an ICP ticket in 2011 doesn’t guarantee a Faygo shower like it once did. However, 2011 was not a year in which ICP tickets were sold for the purpose of promoting a new album. 2012 will differ in that sense, as the guys will be releasing Mighty Death Pop!, their first album in 3 years through Psychopathic Records (the label they own), and any Insane Clown Posse tour dates in support thereof are bound to me the duo’s most energetic in years. Buying an ICP ticket this year would be a smart move, as it will probably be the last time an Insane Clown Posse concert contains the spirit of a new release in the next 4 years or so. Of course there will be music released from the younger artists on Psychopathic Records, and maybe even some from those artists who are being groomed in the Psychopathic Records subsidiary, Hatchet House, but we all know that Insane Clown Posse concerts are the cream of this crop. There are no ICP tickets for the Mighty Death Pop! tour available yet, but that’s because the supporting Psychopathic Records artists and dates haven’t even been announced yet. The best way to make sure you see this new material performed live by Insane Clown Posse in concert, then make your way to 2012’s Gathering of the Juggalos where you’ll not only see that, but also performance by numerous other Psychopathic Records artists. Resource Box Insane Clown Posse concerts may not be as energetic as they once were, but things could change this year as the group tours in support of Mighty Death Pop! To learn more about the kinds of merchandise ICP tickets will grant you access to, or merchandise for other Psychopathic Records artists, please visit http://hatchetgear.com.

Remember When Insane Clown Posse Albums were Actually Vinyl Records?

These days it’s not about ICP CDs released through Psychopathic Records, nor is it about the Insane Clown Posse albums released as vinyl records. Today, most Juggalos listen to Insane Clown Posse albums track by track as MP3 files on a computer, iPod, or stream them off the Internet. Is this the best way to experience the newest Insane Clown Posse albums and other material released by Psychopathic Records? Let’s take a look back at the formats Psychopathic Records used to release its music on. ICP CDs were most popular in the 90s and early 00’s. ICP CDs are high quality and easily transportable (remember the Walkman?), but they don’t hold a candle to the tangibility of the old Insane Clown Posse Albums. When ICP first got its start in the early 90s, Insane Clown Posse Albums were released in the form of vinyl records. Yep, those big, circular, black discs that could only be enjoyed on a turntable. Not in your car, not on your computer, just for the in-home listening experience. However, while few if any of those attributes sound appealing, vinyl records are experiencing an enormous resurgence in the music format market right now thanks to their audio quality and tangibility. When Psychopathic Records put out Insane Clown Posse albums in the form of vinyl records, not as ICP CDs, Juggalos could read the liner notes, see the artwork right up front, and head the beats in the clearest method available. Insane Clown Posse albums (and other albums from Psychopathic Records) in this format were and still are the best for collecting, too. It’s OK looking to have a wall of ICP CDs, but much more appealing to have that wall displaying colorful, well-used vinyl Insane Clown Posse albums. Some Juggalos may complain that they have to invest in a turntable to enjoy Insane Clown Posse albums in vinyl format, which is a valid point, but turntables can be purchased for under $100 and will play Insane Clown Posse albums for long time if taken care of. Additionally, the audio quality heard on vinyl is far superior to that heard on ICP CDs. That said, the difference really only matters to audiophiles and super Juggalos who really, really care about the sound. So what Insane Clown Posse albums does Psychopathic Records make available on vinyl now? Through Hatchetgear.com, not many, which is why these records are such collectors items. At present, you can buy the ICP / Jack white single collaboration on vinyl (won’t be found on any ICP CDs), but the only other vinyl product is The Wraith picture disc. Everything else put out for the band by Psychopathic Records is only an ICP CD or MP3. In fact, the abovementioned vinyl products are the only of their kind currently released by Psychopathic Records. If the vinyl resurgence continues its upward trend, Psychopathic Records would be foolish to not reverse the ratio of ICP CDs to vinyl they have available right now! Resource Box Insane Clown Posse albums were the only available on vinyl back in the day, when ICP and Psychopathic Records were brand new entities. To learn more about the ICP CDs and vinyl products available through Psychopathic Records, please visit http://hatchetgear.com.

Now Signed to Hatchet House, Will Dayton Family ever Climb the Ranks to Psychopathic?

All underground rappers who become successful enough to be household names eventually have to partner up with a large record label to continue their growth. For instance, once small time underground rapper Eminem went from being signed to Detroit based independent label Web Entertainment to being signed to Interscope Records as part of a multi-million dollar deal. If he hadn’t, he wouldn’t be the global superstar he is today. Who else is in that boat? Flint, Michigan based rappers Dayton Family were just like Eminem was once upon a time: impoverished, unknown, and brilliant. In the mid 90s, Dayton Family (named after the street they lived on, Dayton St.) slowly started gaining notoriety in the clubs around their hometown. Before they could blink they had been signed to a label and created a record that was certified gold. However as is the case with many such underground rap groups, fame turned out to be more than Dayton Family could handle. After a series of imprisonments and other legal trouble, the Dayton Family had no choice but to take a three year hiatus in the beginning of the 00’s. But, as is also the case with many underground rap groups that have suffered the same fate, there’s often a third party interested in reviving said underground rap group’s faltering career. In the case of the Dayton Family, those angels were none other than once prominent underground rappers Insane Clown Posse, who own Psychopathic Records. (Described as once prominent here because they are now mainstream, and the underground label isn’t as applicable). Insane Clown Posse started their own record label at the beginning of their own career and called it Psychopathic Records. Today, Psychopathic Records not only continues to be the one outlet for Insane Clown Posse’s horror rap music, but also the one outlet for an all star roster of other horror rap artsits that are a little more underground than ICP is right now. Between those underground rap artists and ICP, Psychopathic Records is without question the authority on what is good in the world of the underground rap micro genre horror rap. That said, Psychopathic Records is the precedent. If you get signed to Psychopathic, it’s safe to say you’re on the brink of making it. Of course, not everyone can be signed to Psychopathic, otherwise the accomplishment of such would be worthless and the label wouldn’t be a trusted source of new music. That’s why Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope created Psychopathic Records subsidiary Hatchet House to sniff out the next big thing. And guess who’s signed to Hatchet House now… Dayton Family has only been signed to Psychopathic Records subsidiary Hatchet House since 2010, but if they are at all able to pick up the momentum where it was in the late 90s, these guys will be boosted from the underground rap game back into the main stream. You don’t sell 500,000 albums by accident. If that does turn out to be the case, Dayton Family will surely move up the ranks from Hatchet House to Psychopathic Records. Resource Box Dayton Family is an underground rap group that is signed to Psychopathic Records subsidiary, Hatchet House. To see the kinds of merchandise Dayton Family might offer if they’re ever signed to Psychopathic Records, please visit http://hatchetger.com.

Horrorcore Lyrics: The Message of Horror Rap

Apparently there were some fans who didn’t enjoy the lighthearted feel good messages that spawned most of popular music in the 20th century. Today, not only is there a genre of music called horror rap that projects morbid themes through horrorcore lyrics, but the genre is hugely popular. The most important artists writing horrorcore lyrics today are part of Psychopathic Records roster, and include such luminaries as Insane Clown Posse, Twiztid, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Boondox, Anybody Killa, and a slew of others. But with all the hype around horrorcore lyrics, has anyone actually taken a second to read them for themselves? Below, find a collection of lyrics from Psychopathic Records horror rap artists that epitomize the message of horror rap, and decide for yourself how to interpret the message presented in horrorcore lyrics! Horrorcore lyrics from ICP’s "Chicken Huntin’" So tell Mr. Billy Bob I’m a cut his neck up Slice, poke, chop chop, stab, cut What can you do with the drunken hillbilly Cut his fucking eyes out and feed ‘em to his aunt Milly Willy Willy chicken neck, chicken hunting gotta love it Hit him with the twelve gauge bucket, chicken nuggets Horrorcore lyrics from Twiztid’s "Waited ‘til Halloween" I make your body like a pumpkin seed And pass it out like pieces of candy on Hollow’s eve Yo, I'm a f*cking skitso I got a pet dead head And I feed it quarter bags of Doritos A lunatic wait Never said I was on the channel Everybody is but that's ok it don't matter Waited for Halloween to get loose And wrap a rope around your neck And make the carnival noose And watch you swing These horrorcore lyrics probably confirmed every thought you held about the horror rap genre and Psychopathic Records. After all, Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid are arguably Psychopathic Records’ two biggest individual acts. However, even though these two artists are predominantly horror rap artists, that’s not to say that they ever branch out from horrorcore lyrics and write something a little more sentimental. For example, Psychopathic Records received a ton of attention when its founders, Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope of Insane Clown Posse, wrote a song about the miracles in life (far from horror rap), aptly titled "Miracles." I say Psychopathic Records received a lot of attention because the song was parodied on Saturday Night Live, and the parody has since gone viral on YouTube. Say what you will, but that song probably won ICP more new fans than any song in their recent history. Similarly, Psychopathic Records artist Twiztid has a number of songs that don’t sit squarely in the horror rap genre. Twiztid’s "You’re The Reason" pays genuine tribute to someone who saved his life, and "CNT" motivates Juggalo listeners to make the most of their lives. There’s more to Psychopathic Records’ horror rappers and the horrorcore lyrics they’re known for after all, isn’t there? Resource Box Detroit record label Psychopathic Records is mostly known for the horrorcore lyrics and horror rap songs that its artist roster writes. To learn more about Psychopathic Records artists, please visit http://hatchetgear.com.

How Dark Lotus Brings the Juggalo Family Together

There are super groups (groups comprised of one or more musicians that are successful in their own right) in every musical genre. Recent examples of such include Them Crooked Vultures (Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin, and Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal), Velvet Revolver (Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots, Slash of Guns n’ Roses, + more), and Broken Social Scene who have so many members it would take the entire page to list them all. You may have noticed that all of these super groups are in the rock or indie rock vein, and that’s true for most super groups throughout history, except for those Psychopathic Records super groups appreciated by the Juggalo family! Yes, there are indeed super groups that the Juggalo family approves of because they’re made up of Psychopathic Records recording artists. Psychopathic Rydas is one that receives a decent amount of attention from the Juggalo family, but Dark Lotus (made up of Psychopathic Records artists Insane Clown Posse, Twiztid and Blaze Ya Dead Homie) is the Psychopathic Records supergroup that receives the most attention. And don’t think for a second that they’re not appreciative! Find an excerpt from Dark Lotus song "Juggalo Family" below that details how much they owe and how connected they feel to the Juggalo family. So many people in the matrix die alone, hey Not me, my soul belongs to Juggalos, they Keep me going when I’m down and out I pick up the phone drop them a line and hear them shout Saying Twiztid is the shit, and I’m down with the clown Dark Lotus for life until I’m dead in the ground I give a shout to all my homies and killers who get it started All my Juggalos always representing for the departed That verse alone represents how Monoxide child of Twiztid feels towards the Juggalo family, and you can believe they respect him more for airing out his true feelings. Now it would be one thing if Monoxide Child was doing this on his own as a solo Psychopathic Records artist, but when you factor in the other Psychopathic Records members of Dark Lotus who more or less give the same message to the Juggalo family, it grows even stronger. Considering Dark Lotus has been a Psychopathic Records super group since 1998, it’s looking like, at least for now, Dark Lotus will not suffer the same fate as its super group contemporaries. However, Dark Lotus’ last album, The Opaque Brotherhood, was released by Psychopathic Records in 2008 so they should probably deliver something in the near future to keep the Dark Lotus love strong from the Juggalo family. Maybe Dark Lotus will get their act together after ICP releases The Mighty Death Pop! later this year, the biggest Psychopathic Records release in years. Resource Box Psychopathic Records super group Dark Lotus has been a favorite of the Juggalo family ever since they formed in 1998. To learn more about Dark Lotus and see what Dark Lotus merchandise is available, please visit http://www.hatchetgear.com.

Psychopathic Records Gear for your Head

You’d be surprised at the creative fashion statements horror rappers are capable of making by putting all headwear (hair, bandana, cap, hat, etc.) parts together. The best part is, you can be the same way with all of the Psychopathic Records headwear available through their online merchandise store, hatchetgear.com. Insane Clown Posse hats and other various ICP caps are the first things that come to mind when thinking Psychopathic Records headgear, as they should. After all, Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope were the forefathers of horror rap itself, and ICP’s cap in regards to how high they can scale the billboard charts is yet to be determined. Despite the fact that at one point in time both Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope both had long, flowing dreadlocks, they’ve made good use of various ICP caps over the years. Shaggy 2 Dope had one look where, when he had short dreadlocks, he would let them hang over the top of an ICP cap headwear piece like a bandana. Psychopathic Records artist Blaze Ya Dead Homie sometimes wears a non descript flat-brimmed hat, but don’t be surprised if one day that turns into an Insane Clown Posse hat. Undoubtedly, the most noted piece of headwear to be seen on any Psychopathic Records recording artist head is the cowboy hat on Boondox. It’s not at gangsta as the ICP caps or dark Insane Clown Posse hats seen on many Psychopathic Records artists, but it is Boondox’s way of showing his southern pride (he’s from Georgia). For his part, Violent J has avoided Insane Clown Posse hats and other ICP caps, instead choosing to flare his hair with gel and color. However, if you search the Internet hard enough you will find one Insane Clown Posse hat that is nothing more than Violent J’s painted clown face. So what about you? Any Juggalo can emulate one or all of these Psychopathic Records headwear styles on hatchetgear.com. There are ICP caps for the snow that are plain and simple, but if ICP caps aren’t enough to keep you warm in the winter, just keep scrolling until you get to the ski masks! They might not be as fashionable as ICP caps, but these ski masks will ensure that no part of your face is victim to frostbite and be fashionable at the same time. Insane Clown Posse hats available in store come in several different colors and sizes. Some Insane Clown Posse hats feature nothing but the Psychopathic Records hatchetman on a plain background, while other Insane Clown Posse hats too feature the hatchetman but with a more cluttered background. If you’re more interested in promoting the band with an Insane Clown Posse hat the displays ICP instead of the Psychopathic Records hatchetman, there are options for that too. And yes, the aforementioned Insane Clown Posse hat that is Violent J’s face paint can be found here as well. Resource Box Insane Clown Posse hats and other types of ICP caps abound in the ICP online merchandise store. To learn more about what Insane Clown Posse hats, ICP caps, and other Psychopathic Records headwear gear is available to you, please visit http://hatchetgear.com.

What Psychopathic Records and ICP Gear is the Most Unique?

As mentioned in earlier articles, ICP Gear is renowned for a reason. Never before has any hip hop artist built such a vast empire of merchandise to promote their musical career. Psychopathic Records artist Insane Clown Posse is one of the best at this in the entire music industry, and the product offering visible on hatchetgear.com proves why. Before we get into the media-based ICP gear like Insane Clown Posse movies and CDs, let’s look at the basics. ICP gear like backpacks, bags, purses, and sunglasses are just a few of the items that, while not extremely unique, are a more unique merchandise offering than 90% of the other bands out there. Most of this kind of merchandise can be found for the majority of Psychopathic Records artists that are selling merch on hatchetgear.com. For instance, Psychopathic Records super group Dark Lotus has similar items branded with the Dark Lotus name and logo, just like ICP has every day items branded with the hatchetman to make them official ICP gear. When we move beyond this type of ICP gear is where things get really interesting. Still not talking about Insane Clown Posse movies, but how many bands can claim they have flags? Flags for their record label, Psychopathic Records? What about key chains? Lighters? Jewelry? Not many is the answer. But that’s not even the most unique ICP gear offering available through hatchetgear. That prize goes to the ICP comic books! In another smart marketing move, this piece of ICP gear was released by Psychopathic Records and talks about how it was the dream of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope to create their own record label, which is what we know today as Psychopathic Records. Marketing ICP gear and the record label all at once, both owned by the band. Brilliant! What personality doesn’t come across in Insane Clown Posse movies will definitely come out when penned by one of the band members. Even Psychopathic Records artists that have intense imagery and storylines don’t venture there, that is unless that Psychopathic Records artist is Insane Clown Posse. Last but certainly not least are the Insane Clown Posse movies up for sale on hatchetgear.com. Now I know that not every band has the budget to produce a movie like the Insane Clown Posse movies, and that it’s not smart for any entity to spend that much money on a release like the Insane Clown Posse movies unless they have a robust budget to back it up. It goes without saying that the Insane Clown Posse movies were released because J and Dope knew they had the resources to do this and fans that would swallow up and Insane Clown Posse movie. Similar to the Psychopathic Records / ICP comic book relationship mentioned above, I wouldn’t be surprised if Psychopathic Records owns the rights to the Insane Clown Posse movies too! Two of the Insane Clown Posse movies available for purchase here are documentaries: A Family Underground and Shockumentary. The other, Insane Clown Posse movie Big Money Rustlas, while not a documentary, is Just as entertaining to watch! Resource Box To learn more about how ICP leverages standard ICP gear, Insane Clown Posse movies, and how other Psychopathic Records artists do the same, please visit http://www.hatchetgear.com/bands/icp.html.

An Underground Rap Group's Unlikely Mainstream Media Appearances

Over the years, the guys of the underground rap duo Insane Clown Posse have floated in and out of the mainstream. Insane Clown Posse music itself has gone on and off the charts, but that hardly matters. Insane Clown Posse music, and the group itself, has built up a huge underground fan base that loves both its underground rap style and its outrageous persona.

In fact, the underground rap group's crazy visual style -- complete with hip-hop clothing and circus-worthy face paint -- sometimes lands them in the mainstream media more than actual Insane Clown Posse music does.

Here are a few odd moments when ICP landed in the mainstream media, either because of Insane Clown Posse music or the often circus-like atmosphere surrounding this underground rap group. This covers everything from a fight with Sharon Osbourne to the fuss surrounding Tila Tequila at the Gathering of the Juggalos.

The Howard Stern Show, 1999: This began after an Insane Clown Posse music tour in 1999 with the band Coal Chamber as well as some other acts. Most of the bands and underground rap acts were well-received except them. ICP decided to remove them from the tour, claiming it was due to equipment problems.

But the feud between the underground rap stars and the band continued to brew, until they agreed to appear on Stern's radio show.

A fight erupted between ICP and Coal Chamber's manager, Sharon Osbourne, who bet them that the next Insane Clown Posse music album wouldn't sell more than 200,000 copies. Osbourne underestimated the draw of ICP's underground rap, though, and she lost the bet.

Saturday Night Live, 2009: Insane Clown Posse music and its underground rap and rock festival, Gathering of the Juggalos, got spoofed on SNL in 2009 after the festival's video trailers became an Internet success.

The sketch in question was itself a fake commercial for the so-called "Kickspit Underground Rock Festival." ICP themselves said publicly they thought the skit was hilarious and didn't offend them.

Gossip Blogs around the world, 2010: Every year the Insane Clown Posse music festival goes off more or less without a hitch. In 2010 the Insane Clown Posse music festival was designed to be more female-heavy, billed as the "Revenge of the Juggalettes." This included an announcement of a performance by internet-infamous Tila Tequila at the Gathering of the Juggalos.

The booking of Tila Tequila at the Gathering of the Juggalos raised many eyebrows from fans. But the festival always draws a grab-bag of performers, so the thought of Tila Tequila at the Gathering of the Juggalos wasn't necessarily that unusual. However, fans didn't take to Tila Tequila at the Gathering of the Juggalos too kindly.

There are different theories as to why Tila Tequila at the Gathering of the Juggalos was so poorly received. Perhaps they felt that she didn't have enough of an under dog status. Many also felt that Tila Tequila at the Gathering of the Juggalos was generally a mockery of the music stage since she isn't really a musician.

Tila Tequila at the Gathering of the Juggalos also somewhat inflamed the situation by taking her top off during her performance and taunting the audience. They responded by pelting her with garbage and even rocks, making Tila Tequila at the Gathering of the Juggalos one of the festival's most infamous performances ever.

The reports of Tila Tequila at the Gathering of the Juggalos landed ICP again all over the mainstream media, especially gossip blogs, even though ICP itself had nothing to do directly with the incident.

Tila had been informed of what to possibly expect, and other celebrity performances that year and the following year went off without similar issues. Still, this was another bizarre appearance in the mainstream media for the infamous underground rap duo Insane Clown Posse.

Resource Box

Insane Clown Posse music and the group itself has always incited crazy reactions every time they surface in the mainstream. But to learn the real history and background behind Insane Clown Posse music, visit the official Insane Clown Posse web site at http://www.insaneclownposse.com.