Psychopathic Records facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Psychopathic Records |
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| Founded | 1991 |
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| Country of origin | United States |
| Location | Farmington Hills, Michigan |
Psychopathic Records is an American music company based in Farmington Hills, Michigan. It's known for its unique style of hip-hop music called horrorcore and rap rock. The company was started in 1991 by Alex Abbiss and the hip-hop group Insane Clown Posse. Their symbol is a man holding a meat cleaver, which is also used by their fans, known as Juggalos.
Besides making music, Psychopathic Records also creates cool merchandise, videos, and even runs a professional wrestling show. They handle their own production and sales for merchandise. In 2009–2010, the company made about $10 million in sales. Their recording studio was called The Lotus Pod.
Contents
History
How it Started (1991–1994)
After their 1991 music release Bass-Ment Cuts, the Detroit hip-hop group Inner City Posse hired Alex Abbiss as their manager. With advice from a friend, the group and Alex decided to create their own music company. They chose the name Psychopathic Records. The company started in Alex's mom's basement. A drawing by Joseph Utsler, called the Hatchet Man, became their official logo.
Inner City Posse released their first album, Dog Beats, on the new label that year. Soon after, the group changed their name to Insane Clown Posse. They created the Dark Carnival idea, which many other artists on the label would use later. The group became quite popular in the Detroit area. This happened after they released albums like Carnival of Carnage and Beverly Kills 50187. They also promoted their music a lot on their own.
Growing Bigger (1994–2000)
Mike E. Clark became the main music producer for the label. His studio, The Fun House, was the main place for recording. On March 8, 1994, Insane Clown Posse released Ringmaster. It sold 40,000 copies by itself that summer. Later that year, Project Born was the first group not part of Insane Clown Posse to sign with Psychopathic Records. However, their first album didn't sell much, and they left the label in 1995.
Insane Clown Posse signed a deal with Jive Records in 1995. But they left the next year because the label didn't promote their album, Riddle Box, well. In 1997, Insane Clown Posse released The Great Milenko. But another record company, Hollywood Records, stopped selling it right after it came out. This caused a big public discussion and made the group and Psychopathic Records famous in the news.
In 1997, the label signed Myzery and two former members of House of Krazees, Jamie Spaniolo and Paul Methric. These two formed the group Twiztid. They released their first album, Mostasteless, that same year. Insane Clown Posse, Twiztid, Myzery, and Blaze also formed a supergroup called Psychopathic Rydas. Myzery later left the label.
Later, Island Records bought the rights to The Great Milenko. They also signed Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid. Island Records helped Psychopathic Records get into making movies. They gave Insane Clown Posse money to start a movie called Big Money Hustlas. The movie came out on July 18, 2000. In 2001, they were the first music group to tour and show their own movie in concert places across the US.
After their success in wrestling, Insane Clown Posse started their own professional wrestling promotion called Juggalo Championship Wrestling in 1999. In July 2000, Psychopathic Records held the first yearly Gathering of the Juggalos (GOTJ). This event was like a big music festival for fans. Over 7,000 people came to Novi, Michigan, for the two-day event. Both Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid returned to Psychopathic Records that year. The label then built its own recording studio, called The Lotus Pod. Twiztid released the album Freek Show, which did well on the music charts.
Steady Music Making (2001–2004)
In 2001, the supergroup Dark Lotus started. Later that year, Anybody Killa signed with the label. Detroit rapper Esham, who was a big influence on Violent J, also signed with Psychopathic Records. He released a greatest hits album, Acid Rain, the next year.
Jumpsteady released his first music, Chaos Theory, in 2002. At the Gathering of the Juggalos that year, rapper V-Sinizter won a contest. He got a one-year contract with Psychopathic Records. Insane Clown Posse released their album The Wraith: Shangri-La in November 2002. V-Sinizter released Hunting Season in 2003, but left the label soon after due to low sales.
Ax & Smash Records (2002–2004)
Later in 2002, the alternative rock group Zug Izland signed with Psychopathic. They quickly released Cracked Tiles in January 2003. They released their last album on the label, 3:33, in June 2004. This part of the label closed after Zug Izland left.
More Releases (2005–2007)
After releasing Master of the Flying Guillotine in 2005, Jumpsteady stopped making music.
That summer, two new supergroups were formed: Soopa Villainz and Drive-By. Drive-By, made up of Blaze and Anybody Killa, released Pony Down (Prelude) in October. Esham left the label that month to restart his own company, and Soopa Villainz broke up. Anybody Killa left the next February. Later that year, Psychopathic Records and the hip-hop group D12 (who worked with Eminem) ended their disagreement with a bowling match.
In April, Axe Murder Boyz won a contract with Psychopathic Records. They released Blood In, Blood Out before leaving the label. That June, Alex Abbiss announced he was retiring. William Dail, also known as Billy Bill, became the new president of Psychopathic Records. Later that month, the label started its own internet radio station called WFuckOff Radio. Boondox signed with the label at that year's Gathering of the Juggalos.
Hatchet House (since 2007)
In 2007, The R.O.C., another former member of "House of Krazees," signed with Hatchet House. This was a new sub-label created by Psychopathic.
More Signings (2008–2012)
In 2008, Anybody Killa signed with Psychopathic again. That May, the label held its first "Hatchet Attacks" event. Axe Murder Boyz signed with Hatchet House in August. A movie about Juggalos, called A Family Underground, was filmed at the 2008 Gathering of the Juggalos. It came out in May 2009.
In February 2010, Psychopathic Records signed a deal with Universal Music Group's Fontana Distribution. During this time, the label was nominated for a Detroit Music Award. Vanilla Ice and Cold 187um signed with Psychopathic Records in 2011.
In January 2012, WFuckOff Radio changed its name to Psychopathic Radio. At the 2012 Gathering of the Juggalos, it was announced that Zug Izland and Jumpsteady had returned to Psychopathic Records. Boondox and Twiztid left the label.
Growing More (2013–2014)
In February 2013, it was announced that Legz Diamond was a new artist. In March, Violent J said that Twiztid left Psychopathic without any hard feelings. He also thought Blaze Ya Dead Homie had left, but they were still part of Dark Lotus and Psychopathic Rydas. Blaze later said he had not left Psychopathic. Insane Clown Posse apologized to Blaze for the confusion.
Doe Dubbla, a rapper from Detroit, officially signed with Psychopathic in June 2013. He used the name Big Hoodoo. In July, Psychopathic released Big Hoodoo's first album, Crystal Skull. Cold 187um left the label. At the 2013 Gathering of the Juggalos, it was confirmed that Axe Murder Boyz and Boondox were returning to Psychopathic. Blaze Ya Dead Homie ended up leaving Psychopathic Records.
In 2014, Insane Clown Posse announced they would release their first box set, The First Six. It included their first six Joker Cards albums and new music. They also announced a new group with Da Mafia 6ix called The Killjoy Club. Their first album, Reindeer Games, came out in September 2014.
Releases and Other Events (2015–2016)
In 2015, Boondox from Psychopathic Records and Blaze Ya Dead Homie from Majik Ninja Entertainment went on tour together. This was the first "Psychopathic/Majik Ninja Entertainment Tour." In July 2015, it was announced that Boondox had left Psychopathic Records.
In February 2016, Insane Clown Posse announced tour dates for their 20th Anniversary: Riddle Box Tour. In April 2016, Violent J said that he and Shaggy were working on their solo albums. It was also announced that the label had a new artist who would be revealed at the 17th Gathering of the Juggalos. Insane Clown Posse went on their first Canadian Tour in 13 years.
At the 2016 Gathering of the Juggalos, it was announced that work had begun on a third movie in the Big Money series, Big Money Thru$ta$. It was also stated that a new The Killjoy Club album might come out in November 2016. In November 2016, it was announced that Str8Jaket was the new engineer for Psychopathic Records. In December 2016, it was announced that Young Wicked had left Psychopathic Records and signed with Majik Ninja Entertainment.
New Artists and Plans (since 2017)
On January 1, 2017, it was announced that Lyte was the new artist on the label. A free song called "Hurricane Of Diamonds" was also released, featuring many Psychopathic artists. In January 2017, Insane Clown Posse announced they were no longer working with Twiztid and Majik Ninja Entertainment. They said new music would come from Insane Clown Posse, DJ Clay, Big Hoodoo, Blahzay Roze, and Lyte. They also said a new supergroup with Insane Clown Posse would be announced. In February 2017, Blahzay Roze left Psychopathic Records. In September 2017, Ouija Macc was signed to Psychopathic Records.
In February 2018, Insane Clown Posse announced that the Hurricane Of Diamonds CD would be available. At the 2018 Gathering of the Juggalos, it was announced that Fearless Fred Fury would be released in October 2018. It was also revealed that a new supergroup called The Loony Goons was on the label. It included Insane Clown Posse, Big Hoodoo, Lyte, and Ouija Macc. They planned to record their first album after the Gathering. In October 2020, Insane Clown Posse confirmed that the only artists currently on the label are them and Ouija Macc.
Artists
Current
| Artist | Year signed | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Insane Clown Posse | Since 1991 | This group has Violent J and Shaggy 2 .... They started Psychopathic Records. They have sold millions of albums and movies. Both members also sometimes release their own music. |
| Soopa Villainz | 2002–2005 and since 2018 | This group included Insane Clown Posse and Esham. They released one album in 2005. The group later broke up but reunited in 2018. |
| Bloody Brothers | 2005 and since 2018 | In 2005, Violent J and Shaggy 2 ... created the idea for The Bloody Brothers. They decided to use this idea for themselves in 2018. Their first album is planned for 2021. |
| Ouija Macc | Since 2017 | Ouija Macc joined the label in 2017. His first album, Gutterwater, came out in 2018. He is also part of the groups Lil Rydas and The Loony Goons. |
| Zitro | Since 2021 | Zitro, a horrorcore rapper, signed with Psychopathic Records in 2021. This was confirmed in the album booklet for Insane Clown Posse's Yum Yum Bedlam. |
| 3 Headed Monster | Since 2023 | 3 Headed Monster is a group made of Violent J, Esham, and Ouija Macc. Their first album, Obliteration, was released in June 2023. |
Former
| Artist | Year signed | Albums Released | Description |
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| Project Born | 1994–1996 | 1 | Project Born signed in 1994. Their album Born Dead didn't sell well, so they left in 1995. |
| V-Sinizter | 2002–2003 | 1 | V-Sinizter won a one-year deal in 2002. He released one album, Hunting Season, but left due to low sales. |
| Esham | 2002–2005 | 3 | Esham signed in 2002 and had his most success here. He left in 2005. |
| Drive-By | 2001–2006; 2007–2012 |
2 | This group had Anybody Killa and Blaze Ya Dead Homie. They released their first CD in 2005. The group broke up when Blaze left Psychopathic. |
| MC Breed | 2004–2008 | 1 | MC Breed signed in 2004. He stayed with Psychopathic until he passed away in 2008. |
| Zodiac MPrint | 2007–2009 | 0 | This group was Blaze Ya Dead Homie and The R.O.C.. They planned an album but The R.O.C. retired from rapping. |
| Twiztid | 1997–2002; 2003–2012 | 9 | Twiztid signed in 1997 and released their first album. They left in 2002 to start their own label, then returned in 2003. They left again in 2012 to form Majik Ninja Entertainment. |
| Cold 187um | 2011–2013 | 1 | He signed in 2011 and released one album in 2012. He left in 2013. |
| Blaze Ya Dead Homie | 1998–2013 | 8 | Blaze Ya Dead Homie signed in 1999. He released several albums and EPs. He left Psychopathic in 2013 and signed with Majik Ninja Entertainment. |
| Jumpsteady | 1995–2005; 2012–2014 |
3 | He is Violent J's brother. Jumpsteady released his first album in 2002. He retired from music in 2005 but returned in 2012. He later retired from music again. |
| Boondox | 2005–2012; 2013–2015 |
5 | Boondox signed in 2006. He released several albums before leaving in 2012. He returned in 2013 and released another album. He left again in 2015. |
| Zug Izland | 2002–2004; 2012–2015 |
3 | This band released their first album in 2003. They left in 2004 but returned in 2012. They later started their own label. |
| Axe Murder Boyz | 2005–2006; 2013–2016 |
2 | They won a deal in 2005. They later moved to Hatchet House and then returned to Psychopathic in 2013. Young Wicked, half of the group, left in 2016. |
| DJ Paul | 2013–2016 | 1 | DJ Paul joined Psychopathic Records in 2013. He released a solo album in 2015. He later left to work with his own crew. |
| Dark Lotus | 1998–2017 | 4 | This supergroup was formed by Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid. They released several albums. The group was later disbanded. |
| Blahzay Roze | 2016–2017 | 1 | Blahzay Roze was announced as a new artist in 2016. She released an EP. She left Psychopathic Records in 2017. |
| Tha Hav Knots | 2014–2017 | 0 | This group was formed by Anybody Killa and Big Hoodoo in 2014. They released their first song as a Christmas single. |
| DJ Clay | 2012–2017 | 9 | DJ Clay signed with Psychopathic's sub-label Hatchet House in 2007. He later signed with Psychopathic in 2012. He left in 2017 to focus on his own label. |
| Vanilla Ice | 2011–2017 | 0 | Vanilla Ice, a famous rapper, signed with the label in 2011. He performed at many Gathering of the Juggalos events. His album was never released, and he later left the label. |
| Myzery | 1997–2000; 2018 | 2 | Myzery signed in 1997. He left after some disagreements and low sales. He returned temporarily in 2018. |
| The Killjoy Club | 2013–2016; 2018 | 1 | This supergroup was made of Insane Clown Posse and Da Mafia 6ix. They released their first album in 2014. The group reunited for a performance in 2018. |
| The Loony Goons | 2018 | 0 | This supergroup was announced in 2018. It included Insane Clown Posse, Big Hoodoo, Lyte, and Ouija Macc. They planned to record an album, but the group later fell through. |
| Lyte | 2017–2019 | 1 | Lyte was announced as a new artist in 2017. He released an EP and a full-length album. He left the label in 2019. |
| Lil Rydas | 2017–2019 | 0 | Lyte and Ouija Macc formed this group in 2017. They planned an album, but it never happened, and Lyte left the label. |
| Anybody Killa | 2001–2006; 2007–2019 |
5 | Anybody Killa released his first album in 2003. He left in 2006 but returned in 2007. He released several more albums. He left the label in 2019. |
| Big Hoodoo | 2012–2020 | 3 | Big Hoodoo signed in 2013 and released his first album. He was also part of Tha Hav Knots and The Loony Goons. He left the label in 2020. |
Producers
Current
| Producer | Years | Description |
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| Mike E. Clark | 1991–2000; 2005–2015 and since 2020 | Mike E. Clark started producing for Insane Clown Posse early on. He has produced many albums for the label. |
| Mike P. | 2000–2005 and since 2013 | Mike P. started producing in 2000. He was the main producer for many albums until he left in 2005. He returned in 2013 and is a regular producer. |
| Brian Kuma | Since 2001 | Brian Kuma started helping produce albums in 2001. He has helped with many albums on the label since then. |
| Devereaux | Since 2018 | Devereaux started producing in 2018, helping with Ouija Macc's album. He also produced songs for Insane Clown Posse. |
| Shaggytheairhead | Since 2019 | Shaggytheairhead started producing in 2019, helping with Insane Clown Posse's album Yum Yum Bedlam. |
Former
| Producer | Years | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Fritz "the Cat" Van Kosky | 2000–2007 | Fritz started producing in 2000 for Twiztid's album. He also helped with albums for Blaze Ya Dead Homie and Anybody Killa. |
| Esham | 2002–2005 | Esham signed as an artist in 2002. He also helped produce some albums until he left in 2005. |
| Young Wicked | 2013–2016 | Young Wicked produced several albums for the label. He left Psychopathic Records in 2016. |
| DJ Clay | 2005–2018 | DJ Clay started helping produce in 2005. He signed with Hatchet House in 2007 and released many mixtapes. He left the label in 2018. |
| Str8jaket | 2016–2020 | Str8jaket became the new engineer for Psychopathic Records in 2016. He produced for Lyte, Ouija Macc, and Insane Clown Posse. He left the label in 2020. |
| Domain | 2017–2018 | Domain was signed as a producer in 2017. He later left to work on another company. |
Images for kids
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The Hatchet Man, the logo for Psychopathic Records.
See also
In Spanish: Psychopathic Records para niños
