Insane Clown Posse formed its own record label, Psychopathic Records, to release its own music and also help promote that of other promising horrorcore rap artists. Among the most promising from the beginning was fellow Michigian horrorcore rap duo Twiztid. The group has proven to be one of the most creative and top selling acts for Psychopathic Records.
The core of the juggalo subculture is based around being a fan of the Detroit horrorcore rap duo Insane Clown Posse. But in the wake of its popularity,
ICP has spawned a number of horrorcore rap artists influenced and encouraged by the group's success.
Eventually, ICP even formed its own record label, Psychopathic Records, to promote its own music and that of other horrorcore rap artists they like.
One of the earliest horrorcore rap acts signed to Psychopathic Records was the Michigan duo Twiztid, made up of the rappers Jamie Madrox and Monoxide Child. In the early '90s, before the first Twiztid albums, the two were members of another horrorcore rap group known as the House of Krazees.
But after that group split up, Madrox and Monoxide struck out on their own, sending material from what would become early Twiztid albums to Psychopathic Records.
Insane Clown Posse's Violent J was impressed by the group's individual spin on horrorcore rap, and signed the group to Psychopathic Records. The first Twiztid albums for the label were 1997's Mostasteless and 2000's Freek Show.
The first drew critical praise for its elaboration on the Psychopathic Records style of horrorcore rap, full of cartoonish fantasy and horror film-type imagery. Freek Show was received similarly, though it sold even more Twiztid albums for Psychopathic Records on the underground rap circuit.
Over the years, Twiztid albums continued to develop the group's particular take on horrorcore rap. It became known for being over-the-top, more akin to describing a movie version of gore than real-life violence.
In 2009, Jamie Madrox even described it this way to Fangoria magazine: "Think of it as if there was a Halloween or Friday the 13th on wax and Jason and Michael Myers could actually rap, this is what their vibe would sound like."
As they developed their descriptive style even further, Twiztid albums continued to sell briskly for Psychopathic Records. Eventually, in 2009, the group's seventh studio album, W.I.C.K.E.D., became the highest-selling of all Twiztid albums, peaking at number 11 on the Billboard 200 chart.
In fact, it also became the third-highest charting record in Psychopathic Records history, behind only The Amazing Jeckel Brothers and Bang! Pow! Boom! by Insane Clown Posse itself.
With this momentum, going, though, the group has continued to put even more care into further Twiztid abums. A follow-up came quickly in 2010, Heartbroken & Homicidal, and the group is said to be putting the finishing touches on yet another new disc.
In the meantime, the group continues to tour behind its Twiztid albums, gaining more fans along the way through its theatrical, energetic live shows.
