For more than 20 years, the Detroit horror rap duo Insane Clown Posse has been freaking out the squares and gaining legions of loyal fans with its outrageous lyrics and appearance. The duo, made up of Shaggy 2 Dope and Violent J, were lone wolves at the beginning of their time in the horror rap scene, and remain very much a singular force.
However, being totally unique, and not caring about trends in horror rap or rap as a whole, has benefited ICP. While at first they were the only ones plying this specific horror rap trade, now, Insane Clown Posse has an entire movement around it.
Even though they released some albums through major labels, eventually the group had enough clout to form its own label, Psychopathic Records, in the early '90s.
These days, Psychopathic Records is the home of several hand-picked, similar-minded horror rap groups that have also become fan favorites. Some of these Psychopathic Records artists include up-and-comers like Boondox, while others are technically ICP spin-off groups, like Dark Lotus.
In fact, Dark Lotus isn't the only Psychopathic Records group to also feature members of ICP. Throughout the years, there have been several horror rap groups on the label that have included Shaggy 2 Dope and Violent J. Here is a quick guide to ICP spinoff groups, from Dark Lotus and beyond:
Soopa Villainz: This was one of the shortest-lived Psychopathic Records artists to feature the members of ICP in different roles. The concept of this horror rap group was that the members, including ICP's Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope along with rappers Esham and Lavel, were comic book supervillains.
The group released its own original album for Psychopathic Records titled Furious in 2005 and it actually sold quite well, reaching 42 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop charts. However, the group broke up soon after, when Esham and Lavel had a dispute with Psychopathic Records and left the label.
Dark Lotus: Dark Lotus remains one of the most popular acts on Psychopathic Records, and is always a top draw at the label's annual Gathering of the Juggalos summer festival. Dark Lotus is basically a Psychopathic Records horror rap supergroup, featuring Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope alongside the two members of Twiztid, plus Blaze Ya Dead Homie.
Some of the Dark Lotus style is similar to that of other Psychopathic Records artists, but it's a little more wide-ranging sonically. The basis of the Dark Lotus sound is rap, but the music itself also draws heavily from rock and metal.
Psychopathic Rydas: Like Dark Lotus, this is another supergroup. This one features different members of Psychopathic Records groups under pseudonyms, this time performing in a more mainstream style of gangster rap.
The current lineup includes both members of ICP, both members of Twiztid, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Boondox, and Anybody Killa. Most Psychopathic Rydas albums are effectively bootlegs since they reuse popular rappers beats, so not all of them are widely available.
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Of course, none of these groups would exist without the group at its core, Insane Clown Posse, and much of their activity level depends on what else ICP is up to. To get the latest news on ICP and these other spin-off horror rap groups, visit the official ICP web site at http://www.insaneclownposse.com.
However, being totally unique, and not caring about trends in horror rap or rap as a whole, has benefited ICP. While at first they were the only ones plying this specific horror rap trade, now, Insane Clown Posse has an entire movement around it.
Even though they released some albums through major labels, eventually the group had enough clout to form its own label, Psychopathic Records, in the early '90s.
These days, Psychopathic Records is the home of several hand-picked, similar-minded horror rap groups that have also become fan favorites. Some of these Psychopathic Records artists include up-and-comers like Boondox, while others are technically ICP spin-off groups, like Dark Lotus.
In fact, Dark Lotus isn't the only Psychopathic Records group to also feature members of ICP. Throughout the years, there have been several horror rap groups on the label that have included Shaggy 2 Dope and Violent J. Here is a quick guide to ICP spinoff groups, from Dark Lotus and beyond:
Soopa Villainz: This was one of the shortest-lived Psychopathic Records artists to feature the members of ICP in different roles. The concept of this horror rap group was that the members, including ICP's Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope along with rappers Esham and Lavel, were comic book supervillains.
The group released its own original album for Psychopathic Records titled Furious in 2005 and it actually sold quite well, reaching 42 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop charts. However, the group broke up soon after, when Esham and Lavel had a dispute with Psychopathic Records and left the label.
Dark Lotus: Dark Lotus remains one of the most popular acts on Psychopathic Records, and is always a top draw at the label's annual Gathering of the Juggalos summer festival. Dark Lotus is basically a Psychopathic Records horror rap supergroup, featuring Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope alongside the two members of Twiztid, plus Blaze Ya Dead Homie.
Some of the Dark Lotus style is similar to that of other Psychopathic Records artists, but it's a little more wide-ranging sonically. The basis of the Dark Lotus sound is rap, but the music itself also draws heavily from rock and metal.
Psychopathic Rydas: Like Dark Lotus, this is another supergroup. This one features different members of Psychopathic Records groups under pseudonyms, this time performing in a more mainstream style of gangster rap.
The current lineup includes both members of ICP, both members of Twiztid, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Boondox, and Anybody Killa. Most Psychopathic Rydas albums are effectively bootlegs since they reuse popular rappers beats, so not all of them are widely available.
Resource Box
Of course, none of these groups would exist without the group at its core, Insane Clown Posse, and much of their activity level depends on what else ICP is up to. To get the latest news on ICP and these other spin-off horror rap groups, visit the official ICP web site at http://www.insaneclownposse.com.
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