Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse: Detroit duo Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, ex-Inner City Posse, founders of Psychopathic Records. Key releases: Carnival of Carnage (1992), Riddle Box (1995).
From JJ Boys to Inner City Posse
Insane Clown Posse is a hip hop duo formed in Detroit in 1989. Its best-known lineup is Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope (Joseph Utsler), who met in Oak Park, Michigan, over a shared interest in wrestling and hip hop. In 1989 Bruce, Joseph Utsler and John Utsler released the single “Party at the Top of the Hill” as the JJ Boys. Bruce later moved to River Rouge and formed a street crew called Inner City Posse with Utsler and friends from Southwest Detroit. The name carried over to the group’s club performances as Violent J, 2 Dope and John Kickjazz.
Psychopathic Records and the name change
In 1991 the group and its manager, Alex Abbiss, founded Psychopathic Records and released the self-produced EP Dog Beats. By late 1991 the group felt its gangsta rap wasn’t distinctive enough and moved toward horror-themed lyrics, influenced by the Detroit rapper Esham. Utsler suggested keeping the “I.C.P.” initials, and the new name came from Bruce’s dream of a clown running through Delray. The members adopted clown face paint.
The Dark Carnival
Carnival of Carnage, released October 18, 1992, was recorded at Miller Midi Productions in Detroit and finished by producer Mike E. Clark at The Tempermill Studio in Ferndale. Kid Rock and Esham appear as guests. John Kickjazz is heard on six tracks but left weeks before the release. It was the first of the group’s “Joker’s Cards,” a series of albums built on a mythology called the Dark Carnival. Ringmaster followed in 1994, the year the group started its Hallowicked concert tradition.
Riddle Box and the Juggalos
Riddle Box, released October 10, 1995, through Battery Records (part of Jive) and Psychopathic, was the group’s first national release. When the label gave it little promotion, the duo paid for their own marketing, and the album was eventually certified Gold. It helped grow the group’s fanbase, the Juggalos, into a distinct subculture. In 2000 the group launched the annual Gathering of the Juggalos.
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Discography
Studio albums 16
Collaborative albums 7
EPs & mixtapes 16
Compilations 19
Albums on Breakbeat Archive
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