Today at DetroitNews.com, a fantastic article about the Insane Clown Posse and their upcoming Joker’s Card Fearless Fred Fury debuted. Journalist Adam Graham (accompanied by photographer Daniel Mears) spoke with Violent J and the Rude Boy at Psychopathic Headquarters. While they covered a few different topics, the overall theme of this conversation was the respect that they’ve earned after making music for nearly three decades!
They also speak on:
- Being cheered at a Vanilla Ice concert
- Mainstream media/publications giving them some shine
- The anger that drove them to create Fearless Fred Fury
- Delaying the release of the album
- Dropping another 5 Joker’s Cards after this deck is complete
Yes, you read that right! After these next 2 Joker’s Cards are released, there will be another deck of five! Here’s the full article.
From DetroitNews.com:
After 30 years, Insane Clown Posse gets respect
On the eve of its new album, out Friday, the Detroit duo finds itself no longer the world’s most hated group.Insane Clown Posse was used to being hated, and even learned to embrace it. But then things started to change.
The infamous Detroit-bred rap duo was side-stage at an all-90s concert at DTE Energy Music Theatre in 2016 when their longtime friend, Vanilla Ice, invited them to join him. The stage was already crowded with audience members who had jumped up from the crowd, and ICP’s Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope made their way through the throng to the front of the stage. Nerves were setting in and J wasn’t sure what kind of reaction to expect.
“I’m thinking we’re going to get booed, because that’s all we’ve ever known,” says Violent J, seated inside the recording studio of ICP’s Farmington Hills headquarters last week.
But when their familiar painted faces hit the venue’s video screens, he received a welcome surprise.
“The whole place popped. We couldn’t’ believe it! We were shocked,” he says. “That’s never happened in our life.”
After nearly 30 years of making music, ICP has finally worn down the mainstream.
Katy Perry fans aren’t going to suddenly start coming to their shows and identifying as Juggalos, members of the group’s extremely dedicated, hardcore fanbase.
But those outsiders know enough about the horrorcore rappers — through 2010’s viral video for “Miracles,” the group’s parodies on “Saturday Night Live,” and news of the group’s much-publicized battle with the FBI — that ICP has at long last earned the respect of casual music fans.
“This is a new day,” says J, his face covered in his signature black-and-white greasepaint, drinking from a sugar free Red Bull on a Wednesday afternoon. “We’re not hated like that no more. We used to just get so much hate, instantly. ‘The most hated band in the world.’ But we’ve been around so long that I think when people see us, they’re like, ‘man, that’s cool.’ They’re not the type to go buy the CD but they’re like, ‘give it up for them.’ And it wasn’t always like that. It was the opposite.”
In recent years, ICP has walked through doors that were previously closed to them. In 2017, the group appeared on New York radio station Hot 97’s popular “Ebro in the Morning” program, where they were introduced as “legends” of rap music. Later that year, ICP sat down with “Sway in the Morning” on SiriusXM’s Shade 45, the hip-hop station founded by the Clowns’ one-time rival, Eminem.
Last month, ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” weaved the plot of an episode around ICP, and TV shows like “Workaholics” and “American Dad!” have made references to the Clowns.
“There have been so many moments like that, where we can stick our head up out from the underground and look around and it’s not like it used to be. It’s not like the war zone no more,” says J, real name Joseph Bruce. “Everybody’s got respect for us, you know? And we can go pretty much wherever we want. And that’s so much different than anything we’ve ever experienced.”
Rudy “Rude Boy” Hill, a long-time associate of the group, chalks up the group’s staying power, at least partially, to the fact that their facepaint allows them to remain ageless.
“ICP will always have a stable in pop culture,” says Hill, who compares them, in that regard, to Kiss. “I’m always telling the guys, you need to accept your role as icons. That makeup never gets old.”
Still, not all is rosy in the world of ICP. The group’s new album, “Fearless Fred Fury,” is inspired in part by the “epic betrayal” the group felt when their one-time protégé, James “Otis” Garcia, left the group’s record label Psychopathic Records and signed with Majik Ninja Entertainment, headed up by their former friends-turned-rivals Twiztid. The departure came after J found out Garcia was secretly dating his niece.
“It was like a physical pain,” J says of the 2016 revelations. “I felt so much betrayal that it hurt. Like, hot tears shooting out of my eyes. I couldn’t even believe it.”
The anger he felt is manifested in the aggressive sound of “Fearless Fred Fury,” out Friday. The Fred Fury character is the personification of regret; fighting back and taking control of your destiny is a major theme of the album.
“Fearless Fred Fury” is the group’s 15th full-length studio album, and its first since 2015’s double album set “The Marvelous Missing Link,” which was produced by Garcia. Physical copies of the album will be accompanied by a bonus disc, “Flip the Rat,” which includes 12 additional tracks.
“Fearless Fred Fury” was originally due out in October but took longer than expected to finish; the nearly four years between albums marks the longest stretch between ICP releases since the group’s debut as Inner City Posse in 1990. Violent J canceled a solo tour last month to continue to tinker with the album; Shaggy, born Joe Utsler, is currently on a solo tour.
The set ranges from the unadulterated rage of tracks like “WTF!” and “Fury!” to more playful tracks like “Low,” which interpolates the Zombies’ “Time of the Season” and “West Vernor Ave.,” which borrows from Eddy Grant’s “Electric Avenue.”
“We poured our guts into this record,” says J, a 46-year-old father of two. “This is the best ICP is right now, in 2019. This is the best we got.”
ICP shows no signs of slowing; there are two more chapters due in its current album cycle, and the group plans a five-album series to close out its epic “Dark Carnival” saga of good vs. evil. “We’re going to end it probably when we’re, like, 60-something,” says J, who speaks in the bass-heavy cadence of a professional wrestler cutting a promo.
But the hunger for new experiences, both career- and life-wise, continues to push ICP forward.
Last year, the group performed an acoustic set at its annual Big Ballers Christmas Party, a first for the pair, and they’re planning more unplugged performances in the future, including at this summer’s 20th annual Gathering of the Juggalos festival.
“Maybe we’ll get on a late night talk show doing that. Why can’t we? Why can’t we ever get on Jimmy Fallon?” J asks.
It’s one way the old Clowns are learning new tricks.
“We’ve always fought not to be old-school,” J says. “When we started getting old school, we fought to stay relevant. But once we were old-school and had to admit it, it’s been the most rewarding time of our career. We haven’t been prouder or had more great response since we became old school. What we feared our whole life is actually the best,” he says.
“I can’t lie and say it doesn’t feel good to be included and be respected by the rest of the world. To be welcomed is an unbelievably wonderful feeling. Because we never changed, we kept doing what we do. They changed.”
Click to view the photo gallery from Detroit News!
Faygoluvers Comments
ECJUGGALO
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 08:41 pm GMT -5 at 8:41 pm
Vanilla ice was my hero back in da day!! Jammin to hooked, stop that train, life is just a fantasy, and of course ice ice baby!! Was super hype when my dads girlfriend gave me that tape.
MMFWCL WHOOP WHOOP
mikeysinder
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 09:00 pm GMT -5 at 9:00 pm
HA I called it! I fucking called it!! I’m a fucking soopa genius and all you dumb fucks like AmputatedStumps can suck my extra hairy nutsack!!! 3 decks bitches!!! 3rd deck with 5 cards!! I fucking knew that’s what 665 would mean!! FaygoLuvers should be giving me props right now for being the first to figure it out!! Where’s my medal!!??
dramaman127
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 09:12 pm GMT -5 at 9:12 pm
I’ve read your post I thought you were nuts lol
You may be on to something
mikeysinder
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 09:19 pm GMT -5 at 9:19 pm
Haha I don’t blame you!! But Einstein was nuts aswell but he was still a freaking genius, next Einstein right here! 665!!!
NormalBoyCreationz
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 09:42 pm GMT -5 at 9:42 pm
Well, when you’re right, you’re right ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
ElectroheadDante
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 10:50 pm GMT -5 at 10:50 pm
Ha indeed. I don’t think I would’ve called it at first, though it might’ve been a thought at some point. Either way, you did say it first.
-Insert Shia LaBeouf clapping gif here-
mikeysinder
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 11:02 pm GMT -5 at 11:02 pm
Thankyou ElectroHeadDante!
-insert gif that I have to describe thus ruining the whole point of gifs here!!-
BurtMacklin
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 12:13 pm GMT -5 at 12:13 pm
What a sad pathetic little life you lead if you think you’re anything special for repeating info you heard from somewhere.
mikeysinder
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 06:00 pm GMT -5 at 6:00 pm
Haha! Anyone need some salt?! Cos this Burt Macklin faggot has got plenty!! I didn’t repeat nothing from nowhere I just used my brain (I know that’s probably an unfamiliar process to you) I figured it out and now salty bitches like yourself come forward to spew jealous hate, but keep it up douchebag I find it hilarious!!!
AmputatedStumps
Comment posted on Thursday, February 14th, 2019 01:42 am GMT -5 at 1:42 am
Lol never called bullshit on ur 3 deck theory. Pull out them hairy nuts!! Let’s see em
MASTERWEEDO
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 09:13 pm GMT -5 at 9:13 pm
“Last year, the group performed an acoustic set at its annual Big Ballers Christmas Party, a first for the pair, and they’re planning more unplugged performances in the future, including at this summer’s 20th annual Gathering of the Juggalos festival.”
byron166long
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 10:53 pm GMT -5 at 10:53 pm
Its a little bittersweet to read that it ends at three decks. Let’s all enjoy the ride while we can.
mikeysinder
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 11:07 pm GMT -5 at 11:07 pm
Bittersweet! We were lucky enough ICP didn’t stop after 1 deck, Now it’s confirmed they’re doing not just a second but a 3rd?! Sounds pretty sweeeeeeeet to me guy! Lets indeed enjoy the ride! And not bitch and moan every time ICP decide to do an album that’s not so dark and wicked. You got another WHOLE deck to whine about haters!! Haha
Jake Jeckel
Comment posted on Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 11:31 pm GMT -5 at 11:31 pm
Even a blind squirrel gets a nut or 2 Mikey 😂. But yeah, I hoped they’d do another deck and it was answered in 2008, a year after I started listening to them, and I for one am very happy. Yes it’s not like the 1st deck, but it’s held it’s own no matter what. But I do wonder if there will be another 5 year break in between decks, or if they’ll just keep the momentum going. I do know that I will shit a brick and run butt naked with a battle axe through my town if FFF hits #1 on the Billboard 200. Let’s make it happen, my town is too sleepy lmao.
mikeysinder
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 02:01 am GMT -5 at 2:01 am
I don’t rattle off random predictions like KKK does, who hopes to get 1 in a million right, that was my one big prediction and I was right! Don’t be jealous and call me a blind squirrel. I highly doubt there will be a 5 year break between deck 2 and 3 cos they already know what they wanna do, maybe 3 years to build anticipation or something. Fuck a billboard chart homie I hope it hits at no. 665 on the charts!!
505303
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 12:16 am GMT -5 at 12:16 am
Fuck the 2nd and the 3rd deck that shit taints the dark carnival Legacy.
#onlyonedeck #6jokercardsnot17
mikeysinder
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 02:02 am GMT -5 at 2:02 am
We get it, you’re an old douchebag, kindly run along.
Cherryfuzz
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 01:03 am GMT -5 at 1:03 am
Fuck your milkey slider, I theorized that right after the image with the 665 dropped at hallowicked, me first me first!!
mikeysinder
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 02:05 am GMT -5 at 2:05 am
CherryFuzz you can lick deez nuts, Don’t nobody remember you saying this shit and if you did I sure as hell wasn’t listening to a douchebag like you, 665 bitch!! You’re just salty cos I called it!!
mikeysinder
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 02:08 am GMT -5 at 2:08 am
Also how the FUCK has FaygoLuvers not made a post about the 3rd Jokers card deck now?! Like that isn’t some huge news or nothing?! What the fuck yo?
Hypnotic
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 04:27 am GMT -5 at 4:27 am
Jesus, I guess mikeysinder was right….thought you were crazy about the whole 665 thing, even though someone told me it won’t matter how old ICP is, the facepaint will hide their age. I’ve been reading Faygoluvers posts since, like, 2002 and have been trying to send them news for years. Remember the whole TMNT faygo/bagel VHS incident, Scottie D? Haha, good times.
mikeysinder
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 06:10 am GMT -5 at 6:10 am
Haha I’m lovin how many people thought I was insane for suggesting a 3rd deck, I did say you will alllllll seeeee! And now you are all seeing!! McL
BurtMacklin
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 12:15 pm GMT -5 at 12:15 pm
J talked about doing 3 decks back in 1999 in an interview on their website for fucks sake. Quit acting like you’re some kind of genius for repeating 20 year info dipshit
mikeysinder
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 06:02 pm GMT -5 at 6:02 pm
Would you get a load of this salty ass bitch named Burt???^^^ Hahaha no one connected that to 665 you tool, including yourself, and J never mentioned it in 99 fuck head.
Faygo the clown
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 05:34 am GMT -5 at 5:34 am
ECJUGGALO…..where you from fam? Eau Claire by chance?
kukluxklown
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 09:02 am GMT -5 at 9:02 am
I TOLD VANILLA ICE ABOUT ICP BACK IN THE DAY
Jor MF D
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 10:12 am GMT -5 at 10:12 am
Props to mikey lol and violent j looks like he was finger painting hahah
mikeysinder
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 06:03 pm GMT -5 at 6:03 pm
Thanks Jor!! Good to see some juggalos aren’t salty as fuck like that BurtMacklin faggot Haha, Thanks again homie
ECJUGGALO
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 11:20 am GMT -5 at 11:20 am
Faygo the clown, i live in BIG D , Dallas. Just to reply to ur question.
MMFWCL WHOOP WHOOP
Jake Jeckel
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 12:12 pm GMT -5 at 12:12 pm
Damn Mikey or was just a joke, don’t act like I’m discrediting you. But J has said in the past they’d probably do a 3rd Deck, and a 4th, but it seems like they just want to do a Joker Card Deck Trilogy, which is cool. But looking at the songs they “borrow” from “Time Of The Season” and “Elecric Avenue”, those should be decent songs. I’m more interested in West Vernor Ave., only cuz I really dig Electric Avenue, and the nostalgia with that song is really great. But I do know I’d like to see the last joker card come out October 18, 2042 on the 50th Anniversary of when it all started with Carnival Of Carnage. Can’t wait for FFF, the FFF Tour and this years GOTJ. All 3 should be super fucking freshly dope.
mikeysinder
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 06:07 pm GMT -5 at 6:07 pm
Haha it’s all love Jake Jeckel!! I said in my post when I first stated what I thought 665 means that EVEN ICP have suggested doing a 3rd deck, I said this multiple times, never heard him suggest a 4th deck tho, the thing is I was the one that connected the idea of a 3rd deck to 665. I’m also really looking forward to west vernor ave, sounds fresh!!!
Jor MF D
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 12:34 pm GMT -5 at 12:34 pm
I also like that electric Avenue song, and I’m excited that they borrowed it.
SpOOky J
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 12:41 pm GMT -5 at 12:41 pm
I hate to say this but Mikey did call it months ago…
mikeysinder
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 06:09 pm GMT -5 at 6:09 pm
Haha much love to you Spooky J!! I always enjoy reading your highly entertaining posts!!
ECJUGGALO
Comment posted on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 12:52 pm GMT -5 at 12:52 pm
Lets hope all of us ninjas and ninjettes will be around to see that shit. Long live tha Dark Carnival!!! See yall October 18, 2042!!!!
MMFWCL WHOOP WHOOP
You must be logged in to post a comment.