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I would like to take this time to explain the Insane Clown Posse ( I.C.P.) to anyone who is willing to learn.
Formed in Detroit, Michigan, USA, Insane Clown Posse's highly shocking rap/metal
fusion and spectacular live performances had, by the time they were signed
to a major label in 1997, earned them both public notoriety and commercial
success. Violent J.
( Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope ( Joey Ulster) originally performed as the
Inner City Posse in the late 80s, releasing the hardcore gangsta rap Dog Beats
in 1991. J and Shaggy changed their name to Insane Clown Posse afler claiming
to have been visited by six spirits of The Dark Carnival, who told them of
the end of time. Afterward, J and Shaggy underwent a startling change of image,
adopting clown make-up and rapping about the apocalypse. The duo released
several albums on their own Psychopathic Records imprint (each claiming to
contain a further revelation from the final judgement), and gained a sizeable
underground following in the Midwest without the backing of any radio play.
They also roused the public ire of several local politicians and moral and
religious campaigners, who reacted with shock to the foul-mouthed lyrics,
open fires, chainsaws and barely contained violence of the duo's live shows.
Jive Records signed the duo and released The Riddle Box in 1995, but the album
failed to sell. [ Walt ] Disney's Hollywood Records signed the band a year
later and poured nearly a million dollars into The Great Milenko, Insane Clown
Posse's 1997 major label debut recorded with guest artists including Slash
and Alice Cooper. The label recalled the album only six hours after it was
released, however, with the duo's obscene lyrics placing Disney under further
pressure from powerful Christian groups. Island Records bought out the Hollywood
contract, and re-released the album later in the year with Insane Clown Posse
still a permanent fixture in the media pages. Their Island debut, The Amazing
Jeckel Brothers, broke into the US Top 5 in June 1999. The following November
the duo assaulted the US public with two separate releases, the confusingly
titled Bizaar and Bizzar.
The I.C.P. claim to have been visited by six carnival spirits (The joker's cards) that told them to deliver six messages. So J and Shaggy did so the only way they knew how,
through music.
The Jokers Cards
(Click to laern the story of each card)
Carnival of Carnage The Ringmaster The Riddelbox The Great Milenko The Amazing Jeckel Brothers