Insane Clown Posse T-ShirtS

The Insane Clown Posse (ICP) is an American rap duo originally from Wayne, Michigan but formed in the Detroit neighborhood of Delray, consisting of Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope (Joseph Utsler). The group was originally part of a larger group known as Inner City Posse, who broke up in 1992. They almost always display themselves in character in full black and white "evil clown" makeup, typically in the form of a "happy face." The Insane Clown Posse has obtained one platinum album and four gold albums as well as their own feature film, their own wrestling federation, Juggalo Championshit Wrestling, and has a dedicated following of fans, known as Juggalos and/or Juggalettes. In 2003, Blender magazine named The Insane Clown Posse "The Worst Artist(s) in Music History".

In their early years before Inner City Posse they were known as Intelligence and Violence and before that they were The JJ Boyz with Shaggy's brother John Ushler nicknamed John Kickchass. The group was originally part of a larger street group known as Inner City Posse. The group's rappers included Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope of Insane Clown Posse, as well as Shaggy's older brother, John Kickchass, and several other members who didn't make music. The group formed in 1987 and began to make music in 1989, where the group released their first single, "Party at the Top of the Hill", and their first home-cassette tape, Enter The Ghetto Zone. In 1990, the group released two more tapes, titled Intelligence and Violence, and Bassment Cuts, the latter was their first tape to be released in stores. In 1991, the group was able to produce their first and last professionally-released EP, title Dog Beats. The album did very well in the underground music scene. The group finally split in 1992. Afterwards, members Violent J and Shaggy donned clown makeup and decided to form their own duo called Insane Clown Posse, still keeping the ICP initials.

In 1992, ICP released their first album, Carnival of Carnage, on their independent label Psychopathic Records, which they designated as "The First Joker's Card". The group hinted that the next five major-release albums would be numbered in this fashion. The Insane Clown Posse also stated that "the end will consume us all" once the Sixth Joker's Card was revealed, and that their fans would know all there is to know about the Dark Carnival (alternately referred to as "The Dead Carnival" on The Riddlebox)— something that the Insane Clown Posse refers to on every album as a powerful force which has spoken to them.

In 1993, the Insane Clown Posse released an EP titled Beverly Kills 50187 as a filler between the first and second Joker's cards. It is known for being the only album to feature the third member called Greez-E.

In 1994 the Insane Clown Posse released the second Joker card, The Ringmaster on Psychopathic Records, and was followed by The Riddlebox in 1995 on Jive Records.

The RiddleboxRiddle Box was the first Insane Clown posse album to be released nationwide. The Insane Clown Posse also released several more EPs between the albums, releasing The Terror Wheel and Carnival X-Mas in 1994, and Tunnel of Love in 1996. During this time, Shaggy 2 Dope also dropped a solo EP, titled Fuck Off, in 1994.

In 1997, the duo released the 4th Joker Card, The Great Milenko.

In 1998, the group released the first of a series of compilation albums, titled Forgotten Freshness Volumes 1 & 2. It has gone on to be certified gold, and is their only non-studio album to do so.

In 1999, the 5th Joker Card, The Amazing Jeckel Brothers, was released.

Insane Clown Posse's feature film, Big Money Hustlas, was released in 2000. The film has gone on to become a Juggalo classic, as well as an underground hit for both fans and non-fans alike. In addition to both Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope in the lead roles of Big Baby Sweets and Sugar Bear, the film also co-starred Jamie Madrox and Monoxide of Twiztid as Violent J's henchmen, Big Stank and Lil' Poot, and Harland Williams as Officer Harry Cox. It also contains cameo appearances by Mick Foley and The Misfits. The film featured music by both Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid, a large majority of it from The Amazing Jeckel Brothers.

In 2000, ICP was disappointed by the way Island Records was promoting them. They didn't want to release the final Joker's Card with Island. Since they still had two more records left to release to end their contract with Island, they released Bizaar and Bizzar, as separate albums. Both albums were released on the same day.

In November 2002, ten years after the first Joker's Card was released, The Wraith: Shangri-La was released. The album was frowned upon by critics, even to the point where it was somewhat labeled "The Worst Album of All Time" by Blender Magazine. Despite the negativity the album spawned a successful single "Juggalo Homies" which received radio airplay and a music video that was played on networks like MTV2 and Fuse. This album is also ICP's most controversial album fanwise. On the album's final track, it is revealed that the group follows God.

With the release of The Wraith albums, the Jokers Card era had finally come to a close. In 2005, the band released an EP entitled The Calm, which was set to be the prelude of their next album, The Tempest. The album brought a change in sound for ICP, who also fully produced the album themselves.[4] Due to its large negative response by the juggalo fanbase, The Calm is regarded as Insane Clown Posse's worst album.