Psychopathic Records

Psychopathic Records
File:HatchetMan.jpg
Founded	1991
Founder	Alex Abbiss Insane Clown Posse
Genre	Horrorcore
Country of origin	US
Location	Royal Oak, Michigan
Official website	Psychopathic Records

Psychopathic Records, also known as "The Hatchet", is an independent record label based in Royal Oak, Michigan, in the United States which was formed in 1991 by Alex Abbiss and Horrorcore group Insane Clown Posse.

History

Beginning

In early 1991, Inner City Posse was growing into a popular success from just a local street gang to a group of rappers with their album Bass-Ment Cutz & Dog Beats. When ICP walked into a local record store, Hot Hits, with their album Dog Beats wanting to get it sold in the store, they met Alex Abbiss. Alex thought that they had real talent and wanted to take ICP "under his wing". So Alex Abbiss & ICP decided they wanted to create their own record label. Shortly after that ICP would dream of something new and that lead to a transformation from Inner City Posse into the Insane Clown Posse. Along with the transformation, they also created their own label and named it Psychopathic Records. The label starting operation out of Alex Abbiss's mom's own basement. A drawing Shaggy 2 Dope scribbled on a napkin soon became the company's logo, the Hatchetman. After hard work on an album, ICP realized their home label would not gain many record stores attention, so they paid Esham $500 and Kid Rock $600 to appear on their first "Insane Clown Posse" CD. With the release of Carnival of Carnage, Psychopathic began its long road to becoming a successful record company. After two more releases, ICP gained local popularity, and were eventually outselling every other Detroit rap act by the thousands. Wanting a wider range of distribution, ICP signed a record deal with Jive Records, almost temporarily abandoning Psychopathic. But in 1996, while in the middle of changing record companies, ICP released Tunnel of Love EP on the Psychopathic label.

First Acts Signed

The first act to be signed to Psychopathic was Project Born in 1994. As Violent J said in his book, Behind The Paint, the label used to pick members up, give them rides to the studio, buy them clothes, etc. Their first album "Born Dead" was slated to be a LP but was cut down to an EP. Guest appearances would include ICP & Esham. That album would gain little album sales thus Project Born being released form the label in 1995.

While in 1997 Jumpsteady would introduce his brother-in-law Myzery to ICP. After they had met and gotten along Psychopathic would sign Myzery to a contract. He would release his first album Para La Isla. While Myzery was on tour with Twiztid, Psychopathic would release a tour only album "DP Inc" and it lacked album sales so it was never sold elsewhere. Myzery would work on one more album in a group called Psychopathic Rydas as Twin Gats. Soon after he finished recording that album in early 1999 he would leave Psychopathic.

The third act to be signed were two men by the names of James Spaniolo and Paul Methric. Spaniolo and Methric took on the identities of Jamie Madrox and Monoxide Child, and the group took the new name of Twiztid. Donned "protégés of the Insane Clown Posse", Twiztid soon began sporting some make up of their own. In 1998 they released their first album, Mostasteless, to an ever growing fan base of juggalos. Twiztid would then sign a record deal with Island Records, which ICP were on at the time and helped get Twiztid signed. Mostasteless was pulled from shelves and it seemed that Psychopathic would prove to only be a starting ground.

In 1998, Psychopathic signed a new artist, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, which he was not announced until 1999. Blaze can be heard on Twiztid's debut album Mostasteless in background vocals. In 2000, he released his self-entitled EP Blaze Ya Dead Homie EP. He would stay on the label to present day, even after announcing his retirement in 2003, only to come back in 2004.

With ICP's success in the wrestling rings of WWF, WCW, and ECW, they decided to shift Psychopathic into much more than just a record label. They wanted to make their own wrestling federation, and run it themselves. In 1998, Juggalo Championship Wrestling was born.

Booming Productions

In 1998, Psychopathic, with the help of Island Records, sprung into the movie business. Island funded ICP, to some extent, money to start a full length movie. The result was Big Money Hustlas. Released by Island, the movie featured artists ICP and Twiztid, as well as friends and family including Alex Abbiss, Myzery, and Rob "Jumpsteady" Bruce. The movie proved to be a successful stepping stone, not for Island, but for Psychopathic.

The year 2000 was big for Psychopathic; a full length movie was released, new artists were being signed, JCW was running well. So to add more flavor to the mix, Psychopathic held it's first Gathering of the Juggalos in 2000. It drew over 7,000 people to Novi, Michigan for the 2 day event.

During this time, Twiztid returned to the label and released 2 albums in the year 2000 (Cryptic Collection and Freek Show). Freek Show debuted #51 on Billboard charts, proving the group could do well on their own. They would go on to continue to stay on the Psychopathic label to present day.

ICP returned to Psychopathic, after officially ending their contract with Island Records. In 2001, the supergroup Dark Lotus debuted. It's original line up consisted of Jamie Madrox, Monoxide Child, Violent J, Shaggy 2 Dope, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, and non-Psychopathic artist Marz. Since then the line up has changed multiple times until it's latest, and final version, consisting of Jamie Madrox, Monoxide Child, Violent J, Shaggy 2 Dope, and Blaze.

New artist Anybody Killa was also announced to be signed that year. While working on his own album, Hatchet Warrior, ABK appeared on many other tracks by his label-mates. He also replaced Marz in the line up for Dark Lotus.

Psychopathic's Official Return

While Psychopathic hyped ICP's long awaited released of the sixth Joker's Card, a surprise was handed to fans. The legendary godfather of horrorcore, and man who appeared on ICP's first Joker's Card, Esham signed to Psychopathic. He quickly released a greatest hits album, "Acid Rain". At one point he was even in the Dark Lotus line up.

On Nov. 5th, 2002, ICP released their sixth Joker's Card, The Wraith: Shangri-La, and it was on Psychopathic Records. The record debuted at #15 on Billboard charts. Since then ICP has stayed on their own label, deciding that it's better to control themselves than be controlled. They've managed to release one or more albums every year to the present since their release of The Wraith: Hell's Pit.

Brother of Violent J, Jumpsteady had appeared on ICP's Carnival of Carnage. In 2002, Jumpsteady released an EP entitled Chaos Theory. After appearing on Psychopathics from Outer Space 2 in 2003, Jumpsteady started recording his full length album. 2005 marked the year he released Master of the Flying Guillotine. Since then he's stayed quiet, and was announced by Violent J in 2006 that he left the label but still works in behind-the-scene projects. In 2003, newly signed band Zug Izland released their first album Cracked Tiles. They were then pushed to a now defunct sub-label Ax & Smash Records, and released 3:33. In 2004, Psychopathic and ZI separated in mutual agreements.

The summer of 2005 saw the birth of two new supergroups. First being the Soopa Villainz. Consisting of Mr. Diamond (Violent J), Mr. Club (Shaggy 2 Dope), Mr. Spade (Esham), and Mr. Heart (Lavel), the Villainz seemed to be an unstoppable force. They released their first album Furious, their future looked good. The other group, being Blaze and ABK, called themselves Drive-By. They released their debut album, Pony Down (Prelude), in October 2005. Both groups only released one album before being broken up.

The end of 2005/beginning of 2006 was an unfortunate year for Psychopathic. Out of the blue Esham, followed by Lavel, left Psychopathic in October of 2005. This left the Soopa Villainz to be finished. Esham and Lavel had some harsh words towards ICP and their label. Then in February of 2006, ABK left the label was well. He joined in the hate, and even started to diss the people who loved him most, the juggalos.

Psychopathic rose to the occasion, in spite of the events. In January 2006, a new artist was announced to be signed and debuting at that summer's Gathering of the Juggalos, but his identity was kept secret. And after Detroit rapper Proof was shot and killed in a nightclub in Detroit in April, Esham and Psychopathic made up. Esham was not signed again, but remains close friends. 2006 also marked the only album release of Axe Murder Boys on Psychopathic Records. Speculation is split between whether AMB won a recording deal, or just a one CD chance. But either way, they parted with Psychopathic later in 2006.

In June of 2006, Psychopathic Records went through a major change. Alex Abbiss, who was with Psychopathic since the beginning, announced his retirement. He stepped down as President and CEO of Psychopathic, and was replaced by Bill Dail, better known as Billy Bill.

Present Day

The 2006 Gathering that year revealed the new artist, Boondox. He released his first album The Harvest in 2006. Boondox was placed on every tour any Psychopathic artist was on for 2007. Later in 2007, he released an EP Punkinhed, and announced his next album "Krimson Creek" to be released in 2008.

At the 2007 Gathering, Violent J stated that Psychopathic and Anybody Killa have almost completely worked through all contractual issues and there is a good chance that he will return to Psychopathic Records. Since then, however, no mentions have been named toward ABK or a possible return.

2008 seems to be a promising year. Late in 2007, The R.O.C. was officially signed. With that, Blaze announced that he and The R.O.C. have started a new group "Zodiac M-Print" and their new album "Horrorscope" would be released in 2008. The rumor filled, seemingly fictional group Samhein Witch Killaz proved that they were still around and not just a rumor. They appeared on Blaze's newest album Clockwork Grey, but still have not date for the debut album. Dark Lotus also announced an album to be released on 2008, the title being “The Opaque Brotherhood”.

Current artists

• Insane Clown Posse (ICP)
• Twiztid
• Blaze Ya Dead Homie
• Boondox
• Dark Lotus
• Samhein Witch Killaz
• Zodiac M-Print (Blaze Ya Dead Homie & The R.O.C.)

Hatchet House

• DJ Clay
• Motown Rage
• The R.O.C.

Past groups and artists

• John Kickchazz
  • Original member of the 1989-1992 Inner City Posse/Insane Clown Posse
• Greez-E
  • Semi-Original member of the 1992-1993 Insane Clown Posse to replace John Kickchazz
• Fink Da Eastside G
  • Short lived member in 1994-1995. He appeared on Carnival X-Mas and the rare Golden Goldies recording.
• Perpetual Hype Engine
  • Performed instruments on "Let's Go All the Way" for ICP.
• Project Born
  • They were released after Born Dead lacked album sales.
• Myzery
  • Released Para La Isla in 1998. Made some appearances in songs & in Big Money Hustlas, became a member of Psychopathic Rydas, and then was released in 2000.
• Vampiro
  • Signed a contract and recorded 75% of his album before he left, due to loss of hearing in one of his ears by a hit from Mike Awesome on WCW Nitro. Made an appearance on Twiztid's Freek Show album. Original member of Dark Lotus but never recorded any DL songs {exluding the song he appeared on Twiztid's Freek Show.}
• Marz
  • Made a track with ICP, became a member of Dark Lotus and then left due to personal and business issues.
• Zug Izland
• Esham
• Anybody Killa
• Drive-By
• L.A.V.E.L.
• Soopa Villainz
  • Broke up after Esham and L.A.V.E.L. left.
• Axe Murder Boyz
  • After completing their contract requests which included one album, a few tours, and appearances, their contract ended and they parted ways with Psychopathic.
• Jumpsteady
  • Left Psychopathic Records as a recording artist "to persue other venues". He still continues to work with Psychopathic in behind-the-scene activities.

Video Department

• Big Money Hustlas
  • Insane Clown Posse's debut movie costarring Twiztid and Harland Williams and also featuring Jumpsteady, Myzery, Mick Foley (As Cactus Sac), The Misfits, Mike E. Clark, and several other artist or affiliates of Psychopathic Records.
• Psychopathic: The Videos
  • A DVD release containing every video ever made by past and present Psychopathic artist. Included are two new videos for Raw Deal and Ill Connect. Also featured is the original, uncut version of Chicken Huntin' by ICP. All presented in "super fresh DVD quality."
• Big Money Rustlas

Cultural References

• King Gordy can be seen wearing Psychopathic Records shirt in Bizarre's video "Fat Boy".
• The Hatchetman logo was originally created and drawn by Shaggy 2 Dope.
• Professional wrestler Scott Hall wore various hatchet gear merchandise during his appearances on TNA Impact! in 2007.
• Random sightings of the Hatchetman can be seen on all three WWE shows as they appear on signs almost every week.
• Vanilla Ice has befriended many in Psychopathic, and can be seen at various occasions wearing Hatchet Gear. Examples include his cameo appearance in The New Guy, his time on the Surreal Life, and on VH1's "100 Best Songs of the 90's".

External links

• Psychopathic Records official site
• Gathering of the Juggalos official site

See also

• Majik Records
• Hatchet House
• Joe & Joey Records