Psychopathic Records’ History and Gathering of the Juggalos

Between the Psychopathic Records family and Hatchetman faithful exist many common traits, the most prominent of which is the horror rap duo Insane Clown Posse and their Juggalo fan base.  To say Psychopathic Records’ rise to both mainstream and Juggalo relevance has been an interesting one would be an understatement.

Humble Beginnings for Psychopathic Records

When horror rap duo Insane Clown Posse was beginning to gain local momentum in the early 90s, members Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope approached local record store-owner Alex Abbiss with the proposition of being their manager. Once he came on board, it was decided early that the band should form its own record label instead of signing on to an existing label.

Operating out of Abbiss’s mother’s basement, Psychopathic Records was born. Shortly thereafter, Shaggy 2 Dope drew the now ubiquitous Hatchetman symbol on a napkin. This Hatchetman symbol would eventually become the company logo for Psychopathic Records.

Psychopathic Records and Horror Rap Growth

Throughout the mid ‘90s, Psychopathic Records continued to sign talented horror rap and general horror core artists, eventually garnering the label attention outside the horror rap and Hatchetman scene. Insane Clown Posse outgrew Psychopathic Records by 1995, and signed with major labels Jive and Hollywood, neither of which held up their end of the deal in promotions for Insane Clown Posse’s records released under them.

Ever since the major label debacles, Insane Clown Posse has opted to release their material under their own independent Psychopathic Records label, a move that has seen them sell millions of horror rap records across their entire artist roster.

Psychopathic Records Hatchetman Merchandise

Among Psychopathic Records’ innovative marketing tactics, their merchandise sales are the most noticeable. From traditional items like Hatchetman T-shirts and Hatchetman hoodies to collectibles like comic books and Hatchetman action figures, Psychopathic Records’ merchandise sales have reached unprecedented levels as far as record label merchandise sales go. 

Psychopathic Records Booking Gathering of the Juggalos

 The most consequential event that Psychopathic Records produces every year is its annual coercion with Hatchetman family faithful nationwide: the Gathering of the Juggalos! Psychopathic Records and Insane Clown Posse are responsible for booking the entire festival’s lineup, and do so mostly with horror rap artists.

They’ve booked another excellent weekend of horror rap performers this year, but have expanded the annual Hatchetman Family festival sound into the genres of R&B and Funk this time, booking artists the likes of Bobby Brown and George Clinton. This year’s Gathering of the Juggalos horror rap music festival takes place from August 11th to August 14th in Cave-in-Rock, Illinois.