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.

 

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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. 

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!

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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.

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.

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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. 

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.

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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. 

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.

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 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. 

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!

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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.