Insane Clown Posse

When Insane Clown Posse (ICP) emerged from the darkness surrounding Detroit’s underground music scene in the early 90s, the world had yet to imagine the impact that the hardcore hip-hop style spawned by these two artists — Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope — would bring to bear on mainstream music. Shunned by mainstream music players like MTV and castigated in the media, banned from radio airwaves and yanked from the shelves of “conventional” retail outlets, ICP was dealt a hand that seemed destined for swift and certain failure. Instead, the duo amassed a following of millions of fans endearingly called “Juggalos” and smashed through the ceiling of music industry expectation.

Over the course of a career spanning three decades, ICP repeatedly spat in the faces of industry experts and popular convention, building what is now recognized as the “Dark Carnival,” a mythological community shrouded more with speculation than understanding. Based on the idea of an afterlife in which souls await their ultimate destiny in heaven or hell, the Dark Carnival was revealed in a series of ICP productions that vaulted the duo to uncharted industry heights in music, films, wrestling and festivals. ICP’s underground messaging was led by Psychopathic Records, whose rally call of “defiance” prompted independent success amid an industry packed with short-lived, industry-manufactured artists with fickle fan bases.

About-Us2

Over the past 30 years, ICP has released more than 23 albums, including more than 10 RIAA certifications and the Billboard Top 200’s longest running hip-hop record. Their latest release, “Bang! Pow! Boom!” debuted as Billboard’s No. 4 album in September 2009.

Despite ICP’s astounding album success, the true essence of the Dark Carnival emerges in the duo’s live performances, perhaps best-known for huge stage sets, multiple costume changes, character extras and the trademark spraying of hundreds of liters of Faygo on the twisted mass of painted Juggalos in the audience.

The most coveted ticket for ICP brethren is the annual “Gathering of the Juggalos.” The four-day outdoor concert and festival recently celebrated its 10th anniversary among a diverse crowd of 10,000 fans from the U.S. and abroad. Juggalos rubbed shoulders with fellow fans, attending a constant stream of concerts, autograph sessions, artist seminars and various games and contests, each with its own psychopathic twist.

In 2004, the release of “Hell’s Pit” earned ICP a certified world record for the album’s inclusion of “Bowling Balls,” a short film that was the first video project to combine High Definition video with 3D technology.

Music industry success alone didn’t satisfy ICP, so the duo expanded its reach through the wrestling industry by competing in each of the major wrestling federations (WWE, WCW, NWA-TNA, and ECW), as well as in its own “Juggalo Championship Wrestling” circuit, which spawned a series of popular “Slam TV” DVDs.

Now, ICP prepares for its return to the film industry. After the success of its first full-length feature in 2000, “Big Money Hustlas,” the prequel titled “Big Money Rustlas” is scheduled for release in January 2010. Prepare for the hysteria.

Bang! Pow! Boom! (Nuclear Edition)

Forgotten Freshness vol.5

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