LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Insane Clown Posse: City Posse
built 118 days ago
Insane Clown Posse (commonly known as ICP) is an American hip hop duo originally from Wayne, Michigan but formed in the neighborhood of Delray. ICP consists of Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope (Joseph Utsler). The duo was originally part of a larger group known as Inner City Posse, which broke up in 1992. The duo has earned one platinum album and four gold albums.[1] They ... have starred in their own feature film and formed their own wrestling federation, JCW, Juggalo Championship Wrestling. ICP has dedicated followers, known as Juggalos and/or Juggalettes.
Source:
Formed in 1990 as Inner City Posse, ICP were originally a local gang-based posse, but they slimmed down to a duo by the time they recorded their '91 indie debut, Dog Beats. Although the clown makeup was already in full effect, the ICP manifesto had yet to begin. By the time the group recorded their official debut full-length as Insane Clown Posse, Carnival Of Carnage, they had formed a concept around their releases around the concept of Jokers' Cards and the Dark Carnival. The six Cards were supposed to symbolize a countdown to the end of the world, as ushered in by the Dark Carnival. This Apocalyptic vision may sound too dark for hip-hop b-boys, but the trailer-trash white kids in Detroit ate it up like candy and the group quickly became a local sensation. Influenced by the local marketing techniques of fellow Detroit rappers Kid Rock and ESham, ICP toured constantly, covered the streets in flyers, made a variety of T-shirts, and sold special tapes and singles to commemorate every major performance.
Source:
Perhaps one of the boldest and most successful moves made by Insane Clown Posse was the creation in 2000 of what has now become an annual tradition: The Gathering of the Juggalos. This three-day convention, drawing over 10,000 attendees from the 50 states and overseas, is a mix of concerts, games, contests, auctions, seminars, autograph signings, and everything and anything related to Insane Clown Posse and Psychopathic Records. The Gathering has made a huge impact in every city it has come to, bringing in several million dollars in revenue to the cities it visits. This move is unique in the music industry, and is a shining example of Psychopathic Records' ability to both pioneer and succeed through direct, focused effort.
Source:
ICP is just a duo now but was originally formed as a hardcore Detroit rap group called Inner City Posse in 1989. The group combusted in 1991 leaving just Shaggy 2 Dope (born Joseph Utsler), and Violent J (born Joseph Bruce) to hold the torch. They altered the name slightly, which many people believe was the duos attempt at reflecting the fact that the Carnival Spirit was reflected in their music. They wanted to portray themselves as the harbingers of the impending apocalypse by touring the nation, making public six "Joker Cards" with consecutive revelations of the final judgment. Their self released first Carnival of Carnage made its appearance in 1992, and the group achieved some notoriety in Detroit's underground scene. ICP began to get a bit of attention with the release of 1994s The Ringmaster, which saw them following the footsteps of cartoon metal bands like Green Jelly and Gwar.
Source:
The juggalo rap legacy actually began in the late 1980's when a small group of gangsta rappers known as the ICP (Inner City Posse) were making some noise locally in Detroit. It was the first serious venture into the local rap scene of group who would come to be known as the Insane Clown Posse. As a teen Violent J. released "Intelligence & Violence" along with D-Lyrical. Then he, along with brothers 2 Dope and John Kickjazz, released "Bassment Cuts". But the first release that gained them local attention was "Dog Beats." This album led to the beginning of a long lasting relationship with their now manager, Alex Abbiss. Unfortunately before the group progressed any farther, Kickchass decided it wasn't the lifestyle that he wanted.
Source:
MORE ABOUT
City Posse