~ The Story Behind the Mayhem ~
ICP has created somewhat of an epic with their albums. Over a decade ago, they released the first of 6 Joker’s Cards. Although they have several albums other than the Joker’s Cards, these 6 albums represent their main purpose. Each album preaching another one of the Dark Carnival's messages to the world. J and Shaggy say that they gave themselves the identity of clowns to better fit in while spreading the messages of the Dark Carnival, others say they're clowns because? well they're buffoons. However you perceive this strange rap group from Detroit, the fact is that they're here to stay. With their grease painted faces, fat, heavy carnival beats and demented, vulgar lyrics injected with positive messages and magic? You have the band you love to hate? the Insane Clown Posse. ICP recorded its first Jokers Card in 1991. After money problems and other hurdles, Carnival of Carnage was finally released in October 1992. It was followed by an EP entitled Beverly Kills 50187. Next up was the 2nd Jokers Card, named The Ringmaster in 1993. Sales of Ringmaster were stronger than expected right off the bat and the Detroit music scene began to lift its head. ICP quickly shot out another EP entitled Terror Wheel, which spawned a local Radio hit entitled "Dead Body Man." By now Insane Clown Posse had began to develop a rabid following in Detroit as well as hot spots around the Midwest. After Terror Wheel's release, it wasn't long until record labels began to try to cash in.
ICP, looking to spread the message of the Dark Carnival, quickly signed for a small amount of money to a New York based record label, Jive Records. Jive Records promised to take ICP and the Carnival's message worldwide. But shortly after Jive released ICP's next album and 3rd Joker's Card, The Riddle Box, Jive's true plan were uncovered. They would release the new album only in Michigan, with no push, for all of ICP's already rabid fans to buy, and make all the money for themselves. An easy sell for the work ICP had already done. Insane Clown Posse, along with the core members of their new elite Psychopathic Records Team (Alex Abbiss their manager, Billy Bill, & Jump Steady) knew they couldn't wait around for the record to take off by itself. They developed a unique strategy never seen before in the music industry. They assembled street teams, samplers and Riddlebox Vans, and traveled throughout the country, TELLING PEOPLE about the album. They traveled coast to coast, from state to state and city to city. They would roll into a city, hit the night spots, the cruising strips, colleges and wherever people with an open mind would hang out. They informed people face to face about the Dark Carnival, ICP, and Psychopathic Records. They would not leave a city until everyone in town was informed of ICP. Once their work was finished and they left, each of those cities was designated as "Clown Towns." Meanwhile, Insane Clown Posse toured the country, bringing its insane live performance across the US. Already well known throughout the Midwest for the riotous live show, which involve full theatric stage sets, costumed monsters, and gallons of Faygo Soda (a soda manufactured in Detroit, and commonly found in poor urban areas of Detroit and around the country) being poured all over the audience. Thousands of newly found Juggalos would squeeze into venues filled to capacity, just to catch a glimpse of the pure insanity and chaos that would erupt at an Insane Clown Posse show. Record sales began to take off, and Insane Clown Posse began to look for another record label that would better promote their 4th Joker's Card message. And this label was without a doubt Hollywood Records. The people at Hollywood totally understood the message of the Dark Carnival. They knew how to market it, they knew how to promote it, and they knew that it was going to be crazy. But there was one catch? Hollywood Records was owned by The Walt Disney Corporation. However, key people at Hollywood reassured ICP that they were allowed full control of content, and that Disney was not involved with anything Hollywood released. Hollywood and Disney both approved the album, and a new era was born. The era of the 4th Joker's Card, The Great Milenko.
The country's underground music scene was buzzing with anticipation. The world was ready to receive the 4th message. Whether it was really from a ghostly carnival or just from J and Shaggy's twisted heads, either way, they were ready. But unfortunately, 6 hours after the initial release of The Great Milenko, Disney forced Hollywood Records to recall the album. At the time, Disney was under boycott from the Southern Baptists. The Southern Baptists were upset about Disney's subsidiaries, like Miramax, releasing "anti-family" movies (such as Pulp Fiction), as well as Disney's refusal to get rid of it's "Gay Day" at Disneyland. Disney decided to drop the album 6 hours after release, as a token effort to placate the Southern Baptists and end the boycott. This did not stop Insane Clown Posse for a second. Seeing Hollywood and Disney drop the ball on such a hot album, record companies began a bidding war to see who would be able to sign Insane Clown Posse. Island Records offered Insane Clown Posse not only money, but also the marketing skill and respect for the music that Insane Clown Posse were looking for, and Insane Clown Posse quickly signed. However, there was one serious catch. Disney refused to release ICP from their contract unless ICP paid Disney two million dollars. ICP did not have two million dollars to spare, and it looked like ICP would not be able to leave Hollywood. But in a meeting with Disney president Michael Eisner, Alex Abbiss said that if ICP weren't released with its contract with Disney, he would "bring in the Juggalos to burn down Disneyland." Shortly after Alex's statement, there was a sudden breakthrough in negotiations, and Disney released ICP for a substantially lower sum (which was paid by Island Records). The Great Milenko was re-released on Island Records, with extra tracks that weren't included on the original, and despite the setbacks caused by Disney, it went on to be certified Platinum, and is currently the record holder for the longest running hip-hop/rap album in Billboard history.
In June of 1999, the last year of the century, the 5th Jokers Card - The Amazing Jeckel Brothers arrived. The album was an instant success, debuting at #4 on the Billboard Charts (just behind the Backstreet Boys). It was considered a landmark event among many in the music industry, that a band with no radio play, no MTV play, loathed by the critics, despised by the media, and without any major advertising campaign or strategy, would be able to be so successful. It was a testament to the power of the Dark Carnival, and its dedicated followers, the Juggalos. The album was certified platinum shortly afterward. That summer, the music industry finally began to show some respect for the Insane Clown Posse. ICP were asked to perform at the legendary Woodstock Music Festival. And later that year ICP were the cover story for Alternative Press (that issue turned out to be the best selling issue of AP EVER!). In the year 2000, they prepared to release their next big project, the double album Bizzar Bizaar! Now that the The Wraith (the 6th Joker's Card) has finally dropped in 2002, it marks a perfect end to the saga they created. This isn't even close to being the end of ICP, just the beginning of something new. Whatever happens next is purely speculation.
