| Psychopathic Records | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Alex Abbiss Insane Clown Posse |
| Distributor(s) | Jive (1995–1996) Hollywood (1996–1997) Island (1997–2001) RED (2002-2010) Fontana (2010-present) (US) |
| Genre | Hip hop |
| Country of origin | US |
| Location | Farmington Hills, Michigan |
| Official Website | Psychopathic Records |
Psychopathic Records, also known as "The Hatchet", is an American independent record label based in Farmington Hills, Michigan that specializes in hip hop music. The label was founded in 1991 by Alex Abbiss and hip hop group Insane Clown Posse.
In addition to producing music, the label has several other subsidiaries that deal with merchandise, video, and professional wrestling.[1] Psychopathic runs its own manufacturing and distribution operations for merchandise, managing nearly 30 full-time employees.[1][2] The label produces an average 10 million US$ in revenue per year, and has been continuously producing well since its creation.[2][3]
Contents |
Following the release of their 1991 EP Bass-Ment Cuts, Detroit hip hop trio Inner City Posse, consisting of Violent J (Joseph Bruce), 2 Dope (Joseph Utsler), and John Kickjazz (John Utsler), hired local record store owner Alex Abbiss as its manager.[4] Taking the advice of Joseph Bruce's brother, Rob Bruce, the group and Abbiss agreed to create their own label.[4] After debating between the names Mad Paperboy Records and Psychopathic Records, they decided on Psychopathic and the label soon started operation out of Abbiss's mother's basement.[4] A drawing Joseph Utsler scribbled on a napkin, now known as the Hatchetman, became the company's logo.[4]
Inner City Posse released their first professionally recorded album, Dog Beats, on the label later that year. Shortly after, the group underwent a change in style, look, and name to become Insane Clown Posse, and created the Dark Carnival concept that would be continued by much of the label's other artists for years to come.[5] Esham and Kid Rock were paid to appear on the debut "Insane Clown Posse" album to increase the album's marketability.[6] The group and their label began to gain moderate popularity in the Detroit area following the releases of Carnival of Carnage and Beverly Kills 50187, as well as through their extensive amount of independent promoting.[7]
Mike E. Clark was selected as the label's core producer, with his recording studio The Fun House being the main studio. On March 8, 1994, Insane Clown Posse released Ringmaster, which sold 40,000 copies independently by the summer.[7] Later that year, Project Born was the first outside act signed to Psychopathic Records with the belief that they would become "the next Dayton Family".[7] The group's debut album, Born Dead, received minimal sales, and they were subsequently dropped from the label in 1995.[7]
Insane Clown Posse signed a record deal with Battery/Jive Records in 1995, but left the label the following year after it poorly promoted their new album, the Riddlebox.[8] One day after the group left Jive and one day before it signed with Hollywood Records, Insane Clown Posse released Tunnel of Love on its Psychopathic label.[8] The group released The Great Milenko in 1997, but were notified that Hollywood Records had deleted the album within hours of its release, despite having sold 18,000 copies and reaching #63 on the Billboard 200.[9][10][11] The removal caused a public controversy, creating major mainstream coverage of the group and their Psychopathic label.[9][12]
In 1997, the label signed Myzery, former members of the House of Krazees Jamie Spaniolo and Paul Methric, and Blaze Ya Dead Homie.[13] Taking the name of Twiztid, Spaniolo and Methric created the identities of Jamie Madrox and Monoxide Child, and released their first album, Mostasteless, that year.[13] Insane Clown Posse, Twiztid, and Blaze also formed the supergroup Psychopathic Rydas, and created Joe & Joey Records to release the group's albums to avoid any lawsuits.[14] Myzery soon left the label after releasing the album Para La Isla.[13]
Later that year, Island Records bought the rights of The Great Milenko from Hollywood Records, and signed Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid to their label.[15] Island also helped Psychopathic Records expand into the movie business by funding Insane Clown Posse US$250,000 to begin work on a full length movie, Big Money Hustlas, written by Joseph Bruce.[16] The film was released through Island Def Jam Music Group, Psychopathic Video, and Non-Homogenized Productions on July 18, 2000.
Following their success in WWF, WCW, and ECW, Insane Clown Posse founded the professional wrestling promotion Juggalo Championship Wrestling in 1999 and created the Psychopathic Sports department. In July 2000, Psychopathic Records staged the first annual Gathering of the Juggalos at the Novi Expo Center in Novi, Michigan. Described by Bruce as a "Juggalo Woodstock", the Gathering of the Juggalos drew over 7,000 people to Novi, Michigan for the 2 day event.[17] Both Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid permanently returned to Psychopathic later that year, and the label soon built its own recording studio, named The Lotus Pod.[17] Twiztid released the album Freek Show, which debuted #51 on Billboard 200.[18]
In 2001, the supergroup Dark Lotus debuted, consisting of Jamie Madrox, Monoxide Child, Violent J, Shaggy 2 Dope, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, and non-Psychopathic artist Marz.[17] Later that year, Anybody Killa was signed to the label. While also working on his own album, Hatchet Warrior, Killa replaced Marz in Dark Lotus for a short period.[17][19] Detroit rapper Esham, whom Violent J considered to be an influence, also signed with Psychopathic Records, and released a greatest hits album, Acid Rain, the following year.[20]
Jumpsteady released his debut EP Chaos Theory in 2002. At that year's Gathering of the Juggalos, rapper V-Sinizter won an MC Contest and was awarded a one year contract with Psychopathic Records.[21] On November 5, Insane Clown Posse released their sixth Joker's Card, The Wraith: Shangri-La, which debuted at #15 on Billboard 200.[20][22] V-Sinizter released Hunting Season in 2003, but was soon released by the label due to minimal sale.[21] Later that year, alternative rock group Zug Izland was signed and quickly released Cracked Tiles. Psychopathic later created the experimental sub-label Ax & Smash Records specifically for the group. In 2004, the group and the label separated in mutual agreements, and Ax & Smash Records was abandoned. After releasing Master of the Flying Guillotine in 2005, Jumpsteady retired from music.[23]
That summer, the two supergroups Soopa Villainz and Drive-By were created. The first, consisting of Mr. Diamond (Bruce), Mr. Club (Utsler), Mr. Spade (Esham), and Mr. Heart (Lavel), released Furious in August. The latter, consisting of Blaze and Anybody Killa, released Pony Down (Prelude) in October. Although Esham had achieved his highest level of success at Psychopathic, he left the label that month to reform his own label, Reel Life Productions, and the group Soopa Villainz was disbanded. Anybody Killa left the following February.[24] Later that year, Psychopathic Records and hip hop group D12, representing Eminem, ended their rivalry by holding a bowling match.[25]
In April, Axe Murder Boyz won a single album contract with Psychopathic Records and released Blood In, Blood Out before being released from the label. That June, Alex Abbiss announced his retirement. Long time body guard and friend of Insane Clown Posse William Dail, referred to as Billy Bill, was named new President and CEO of Psychopathic Records.[26] Later that month, the label launched its own internet radio station called WFuckOff Radio.[1][27][28] Boondox signed with the label at that year's Gathering of the Juggalos, becoming the first southern rapper on the label. In 2007, R.O.C. signed with newly created Psychopathic sub-label, Hatchet House.[29]
In 2008, Anybody Killa resigned with Psychopathic.[30] That May, the label hosted the first annual "Hatchet Attacks".[31] Axe Murder Boyz signed with Hatchet House on August 22.[32] At the 2008 Gathering of the Juggalos a documentary on Juggalos, entitled A Family Underground, was filmed and was released on May 12, 2009.[33] On February 17, 2010, Psychopathic Records signed a contract with Universal Music Group's Fontana Distribution.[34] During this period, the label was nominated for Outstanding Local Record Label by Detroit Music Awards.[35] Vanilla Ice and Cold 187um signed with Psychopathic Records in 2011.[36][37] On January 3, 2012, WFuckOff Radio was rebranded as Psychopathic Radio.[38]
| Artist | Year signed | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Insane Clown Posse | — | Composed of members Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, the two are co-founders and owners of Psychopathic Records. Then known as Inner City Posse, the group released the label's first album, Dog Beats, in 1991. The duo has earned two platinum and three gold albums, and has sold over 6.5 million units in the United States and Canada as of April 2007.[39][40] Both members also occasionally act as solo artists and have released their own solo albums. |
| Twiztid | 1997 | Former House of Krazees members Jamie Madrox and Monoxide formed Twiztid in 1997 after they signed with Psychopathic Records.[13] Later that year, the duo released their debut album Mostasteless.[13] Both members also occasionally act as solo artists and have released their own solo albums. |
| Dark Lotus | 1998 | Label-mates Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid formed the supergroup Dark Lotus in 1998 and released the single "Echo Side," which was later included on Insane Clown Posse's album The Amazing Jeckel Brothers.[19] The group went through several changes in their line up since the 2001 release of their debut album Tales from the Lotus Pod before ultimately deciding on members Insane Clown Posse, Twiztid, and Blaze Ya Dead Homie.[19] |
| Blaze Ya Dead Homie | 1999 | Initially a member of Insane Clown Posse's road crew, Blaze later served as a hype man for Twiztid.[41] Following an appearance on Twiztid's album Mostasteless, he released his debut EP Blaze Ya Dead Homie in 2000 and joined the group Dark Lotus.[41] |
| Anybody Killa | 2001 | Originally serving as a hype man for Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Anybody Killa released his debut album Hatchet Warrior in 2003.[42] After leaving Psychopathic Records in 2006, he returned to the label the following year.[42] Killa's lyrical content draws heavily from his Native American heritage.[42] |
| Drive-By | 2005 | Psychopathic Records supergroup consisting of rappers Blaze Ya Dead Homie and Anybody Killa. Drive-By released its debut EP Pony Down (Prelude) in 2005, which was reissued three years later. |
| Boondox | 2006 | After selling his cassettes at an Insane Clown Posse concert, Boondox was contacted by group member Violent J and signed to Psychopathic Records in 2006, becoming the first Southern hip hop performer on the label.[43] He released his debut album The Harvest later that year. |
| Vanilla Ice | 2011 | Vanilla Ice saw popular success throughout the late eighties and early nineties.[44] A self-proclaimed Juggalo, he has performed at numerous Gathering of the Juggalos events since falling from mainstream attention.[45] Ice was signed to the label in 2011 after gaining a loyal following with the fanbase.[36] |
| Cold 187 | 2011 | A founding member of gangsta rap group Above The Law, Cold 187 was signed to Psychopathic in 2011 and his debut album will be released the 1st quarter of 2012. |
| Artist | Year(s) signed | Albums released on Psychopathic | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Born | 1994–1995 | 1 | Released due to minimal sales of their debut album Born Dead.[7] |
| Myzery | 1998 | 1 | Released due to minimal sales of his debut album Para La Isla.[13] |
| Esham | 2002–2005 | 3 | Left to reform his own label, Reel Life Productions. |
| Jumpsteady | 2002–2006 | 2 | Retired from performing in 2006.[23] |
| V-Sinizter | 2002–2003 | 1 | Won a one year deal with the label, and was released due to minimal sales of his debut album Hunting Season.[21] |
| Zug Izland | 2003–2004 | 2 | The group and label parted ways in 2004.[46] |
| MC Breed | 2004–2005 | 1 | Signed to subsidiary label Urban Music Zone, Breed released The New Prescription before he and the label were quietly disbanded. |
| Soopa Villainz | 2005 | 1 | The group was disbanded after the label had a falling out with members Esham and Lavel. |
| Axe Murder Boyz | 2006–2007 | 1 | Won a one year deal with the label, and was later moved to subsidiary label Hatchet House.[47] |
Psychopathic Records began distribution of merchandise in 1992 by selling T-shirts. After several comic books drawn by Joseph Utlser sold quickly in 1994, the label also started manufacturing collectibles.[2] Psychopathic later created a separate department for their merchandising and called their line Hatchet Gear, named after the label's Hatchetman logo which more closely resembles a traditional meat cleaver. Hatchetgear currently sells everything from T-shirts, jerseys, and hoodies to "energy drinks, action figures, ski masks, liquor flasks, jewelry, and sneakers."[1][2] The range and marketability of their merchandise has become a nearly "unprecedented" aspect of the company.[2]
Psychopathic Video has released 6 professional wrestling videos, 5 concert films, 5 documentaries, 1 mockumentary, 1 mini-movie, 1 collection of music videos, and 2 feature films.[48][49][50][51][52][53][54] On August 31, 2004, Psychopathic Video made world history when it released the mini-movie Bowling Balls with Insane Clown Posse's album Hell's Pit.[55] The video was the first ever 3-D film shot in high-definition.[55]
Psychopathic Sports was launched in 1997 when Insane Clown Posse released a VHS entitled ICP's Strangle-Mania, which featured a compilation of professional wrestling death matches from the Outrageously Violent Wrestling from Japan video collection, overdubbed with their own humorous commentary.[56] It hosted two Strangle-Mania Live wrestling events in 1997 and 1998.[57] With Juggalo Championship Wrestling's inception in 1999, Psychopathic Sports turned its full focus to the promotion. In 2007, it started the SlamTV! internet wrestling show, as well as the SlamTV! Express mini-show in 2010.[58]
The department expanded in January 2010, announcing that it had bought a warehouse to run operations in Novi, Michigan and had hired full time workers.[59] They also announced plans to run Juggalo Championship Wrestling full time starting November of that year.[60] The promotion will hold tapings of SlamTV! every other week, as well as run one additional show a month, at the Juggalo Arena.[59] All shows will be taped and released on DVD, and a clothing line is set to be created.[59]
Psychopathic Records holds several annual events throughout the year that feature performances by the entire label, sometimes referred to as the Psychopathic Family or Hatchet Family. In 2008, the label hosted the first "Hatchet Attacks," which occurs in the first half of each year and features performances by the entire label and JCW wrestling.[61] Since 2000, it has been hosting the Gathering of the Juggalos, an event that spans four days throughout August.[17] It features over 100 bands, professional wrestling, and various party activities. Within the week of Christmas, Psychopathic hosts "Big Ballas X-Mas Party." Along with JCW wrestling and guest performers, the final act consists of the entire Psychopathic label performing together, known specifically as the Deadly Medley.[62]
|
|||||||||||||||||