Founded in Detroit in 1989, Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore and is known for its elaborate live performances. Originally known as JJ Boyz and Inner City Posse, the group introduced supernatural- and horror-themed lyrics as a means of distinguishing itself stylistically. The duo founded the independent record label Psychopathic Records with Alex Abbiss as manager, and produced and starred in the feature films Big Money Hustlas and Big Money Rustlas. They formed their own professional wrestling promotion, Juggalo Championship Wrestling, and later collaborated with many hip hop and rock musicians.
The songs of Insane Clown Posse center thematically on the mythology of the Dark Carnival, a metaphoric limbo in which the lives of the dead are judged by one of several entities. The Dark Carnival is elaborated through a series of stories called Joker's Cards, each of which offers a specific lesson designed to change the "evil ways" of listeners before "the end consumes us all". The original lineup of Insane Clown Posse was John Utsler (John Kickjazz), Joe Bruce (Violent J) and Joey Utsler (Shaggy 2 Dope). John Utsler left before Carnival of Carnage was released in 1992.
Insane Clown Posse's performance style is often described as horrorcore hip hop, which "utilize shocking (and blatantly over-the-top) narratives to give an over-exaggerated, almost cartoon-like version of urban deprivation in Detroit", according to author Sara Cohen. Bruce and Utsler describe many of their lyrics as being tongue-in-cheek. The group's early work features a raw, minimalistic sound, which later evolved into a more rock-oriented style. The group's lyrics serve as morality tales, with songs focusing on subjects such as cannibalism, murder and necrophilia. Insane Clown Posse's debut album, Carnival of Carnage, features a politically-oriented focus, criticizing elitism and prejudice against those who live in the ghetto, while the album's liner notes criticize the Gulf War. The group's lyrics have opposed racism, bigotry, domestic violence, and child abuse.
Insane Clown Posse has covered songs by Geto Boys, Sly Fox, and Above the Law. Bruce and Utsler refer to Ice Cube, Awesome Dre, Geto Boys, and Esham as influences on their own music, while Bruce has expressed admiration for Gong, Pearl Jam, and Michael Jackson. Mike E. Clark's production for the group incorporates elements such as "carnival organ riffs, power chords and shotgun blasts...banjolike plucking and Van Halen-esque guitar squeals", while Bruce and Utsler sometimes alternate between rapping and screaming. Bruce has credited pop music as an influence on some of the group's material, even terming the music "Wicked Pop". Bruce has also stated "We do our own genre of music". In his review of The Tempest, Allmusic's David Jeffries writes that Bruce and Utsler "[rap] in a carnival barker fashion that fits with their circus motif, their Insane Clown disguises, and Mike E. Clark's big top-inspired production." Insane Clown Posse has influenced similar acts, such as Axe Murder Boyz, Blaze Ya Dead Homie and Boondox.
Hokus Pokus
Insane Clown Posse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Serial slaughtering stranglers
Jugging Juggling juggalos
Folded, fat, floppy-tittied freaks
I see fuckin P's in the haugh"
[Violent J]
Abracadabra boom shacka dae
I'm Violent J, and I'm back like a vertebrae
And I come with a hat full of tricks
Trunk full of Faygo, car full of fat chicks
Hahahahahahahaha, fuck you
Wicked clowns, we'd like to say what up to
The Cobra's, X-men, and Counts, and everybody with clown luv
Even sets I've never heard of
Roll into town, and out with the big top
Four cards down, and two more still to drop
And when it does, I pack up and hit the road
'cause I don't want to see your head explode
Toss me an axe, and I'll toss you a dead chicken
Add a buck, you get a two-liter with em
And when the genie says on with the show
It's hokus pokus jokers, Great Milenko.
[Chorus (1x)]
Once again, the psychotic carnival creatures in the haugh
Hokus pokus, joker's ride, come take a spin on a carnie ride
Southwest slithering snakes of darkness come
Hokus pokus, joker's ride, come take a spin on a carnie ride
[Shaggy 2 Dope]
Shazam BAM, shocka locka lokey
Shaggy the clown back like scoliosis
Call me a psycho-skitso freak
And I'll call you by your name (dick-anus)
'cause I can give two shits and a fuck
I bounce down Verner in a popcorn clown truck
I'm a circus ninja southwest voodoo wizard.
I grab your gizzard
Jump on the carpet, let's take a spin
Everybody's waitin for the show to begin
Up to the top, by the neck, and let you go
Try to land in a glass of Faygo
Uh, you suck, you missed the fuckin glass
Broken neck, and busted your fuckin ass
But the genie says on with the show
Hokus Pokus Jokers, Great Milenko.
[Chorus (1x)]
What awaits you after death, rub the lamp and explore
Hokus pokus, joker's ride, come take a spin on a carnie ride
Enter Milenko's Fun House, walk right through the wretched hall
Hokus pokus, joker's ride, come take a spin on a carnie ride
"Fuck em all, fuck em all
Clown dawg, freak dawg
Joker dawg, Milenko dawg"
Fidgets of joker's cards blasting in your mother's face
Hokus pokus, joker's ride, come take a spin on a carnie ride
[Violent J]
Rude Boy and Chucky down wit the clown
First time we ever went to Mexican Town
I remember, we couldn't pay the bill, they got hot
And beat us down in the fuckin parking lot
[Shaggy 2 Dope]
Tall Jess, Jump Steady, and Nate the Mack
Tagged ICP by the train tracks
And it was on, the dawn of a new day
Magical carpets screaming down the freeway
[Violent J]
Walked in a gypsy's tent with a food stamp
And walked out with a magical lamp, yeah
I met Milenko, he gave me 3 wishes
That night, I fucked 3 fat bitches
[Shaggy 2 Dope]
Then get the fuck with it, forget it
I'll rip your face off, and wipe my ass with it
When the genie says on with the show
Hokus pokus, jokers, Great Milenko
[Chorus (x)]
Climb aboard our magic train and join us inside
Hokus pokus, joker's ride, come take a spin on a carnie ride
Fifty-two villians, hammered town, the show must go on
Hokus pokus, joker's ride, come take a spin on a carnie ride
Giant ladies, bearded ladies, midget ladies, ladies!
Hokus pokus, joker's ride, come take a spin on a carnie ride
Clowns of darkness and underneath them comes the cloud
Hokus pokus, joker's ride, come take a spin on a carnie ride
"Fuck dat!"
The song "Hokus Pokus" by Insane Clown Posse is a chaotic display of carnival-inspired rap that speaks to the band's signature sound and violence-laden lyrics. The lyrics, on a darker level, are about killing people, but from a comedic standpoint, this song is meant to give listeners a sense of what it's like to attend Mad Decent's Greatest Shows On Earth, Armed Forces Entertainment holiday shows, etc. The song highlights various references to existing characters in the Mad Decent universe, including the Cobra's X-Men, and Counts, among others. The verses are performed by the two members of ICP - Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope - who speak from the perspectives of ringleaders, carnival barkers, and a pair of clowns who have an inclination for the macabre.
The song details a night at the circus with lyrics about rides and games, chaos and murder, and sex with overweight women. Violent J's verse speaks to his wisdom and ability to cause mayhem as he "pops his hat full of tricks," charms crowds, and tosses chicken bones. Meanwhile, Shaggy 2 Dope is more deranged and focused on the carnival atmosphere, as he boasts about being a "circus ninja southwest voodoo wizard" and a "psychotic freak." Along with its explicit violent themes, the song includes dark clown imagery such as references to Faygo, a staple Detroit soda brand, as well as carnival games and rides.
Line by Line Meaning
Serial slaughtering stranglers
Violent J introduces the song with the image of a murderer.
Jugging Juggling juggalos
The song is aimed at the fans of the Insane Clown Posse, whom they call 'juggalos.'
Folded, fat, floppy-tittied freaks
ICP sings about overweight, strange-looking women.
I see fuckin P’s in the haugh
The 'haugh' is a reference to their hometown of Detroit. 'P’s' could refer to police, as ICP has had conflicts with law enforcement.
Abracadabra boom shacka dae
Violent J is using a magical phrase to introduce himself.
I'm Violent J, and I'm back like a vertebrae
Violent J is saying he is back and stronger than ever, comparing himself to a backbone.
And I come with a hat full of tricks
He has many surprises in store for his listeners.
Trunk full of Faygo, car full of fat chicks
Faygo is a brand of soda ICP endorses. 'Fat chicks' highlights their preference for heavier women.
Hahahahahahahaha, fuck you
Violent J is laughing at anyone who has something negative to say about him.
Wicked clowns, we'd like to say what up to
ICP greets other groups of people they see as outcasts from society, such as themselves.
The Cobra's, X-men, and Counts, and everybody with clown luv
These are all groups of people that ICP has acknowledged in their songs, usually other Juggalos or groups they associate with.
Even sets I've never heard of
ICP recognizes groups outside of their inner circle who also share the Juggalo lifestyle.
Roll into town, and out with the big top
ICP is saying that they have a traveling carnival show that comes to different towns.
Four cards down, and two more still to drop
Using a card game analogy, ICP is saying they still have more tricks up their sleeves.
And when it does, I pack up and hit the road
ICP is always on the move and ready to bring their show to the next location.
'Cause I don't want to see your head explode
This could be taken literally, as in not wanting to cause physical harm to their audience. Alternatively, it could refer to them giving their fans such an amazing concert that their head explodes due to excitement.
Toss me an axe, and I'll toss you a dead chicken
This is ICP's twisted way of exchanging gifts or favors.
Add a buck, you get a two-liter with em
ICP is offering their fans a Faygo, plus for an extra dollar, the fan can take a two-liter bottle of Faygo home with them.
And when the genie says on with the show
The genie is a metaphor for their show, and they're saying that once it starts, they're unstoppable.
It’s hokus pokus jokers, Great Milenko.
'Great Milenko' is a reference to another ICP album, and 'Hokus Pokus' is the name of this song.
Once again, the psychotic carnival creatures in the haugh
ICP is referring to themselves once again, using the same name for Detroit as before.
Come take a spin on a carnie ride
They're inviting their fans to experience their twisted, carnival-themed show.
Southwest slithering snakes of darkness come
This line is a continuation of the invitation to join their show, further emphasizing its disturbing and creepy nature.
What awaits you after death, rub the lamp and explore
ICP is referencing the myth of rubbing a genie's lamp and getting wishes granted. Except, in this case, they're saying the genie will take you on a journey to the afterlife.
Enter Milenko's Fun House, walk right through the wretched hall
Milenko's Fun House is a twisted and dark place that you must pass through before experiencing their show.
Fuck em all, fuck em all
ICP is expressing their disregard for anyone who doesn't like them or their music.
Clown dawg, freak dawg
ICP is giving themselves and their fans nicknames. 'Clown dawg' refers to themselves, and 'freak dawg' refers to their fans.
Joker dawg, Milenko dawg
ICP is once again acknowledging their other albums and incorporating them into this song as well.
Fidgets of joker's cards blasting in your mother's face
'Joker's cards' are a recurring theme in ICP's music. This line is likely intended to shock and disgust their audience.
Climb aboard our magic train and join us inside
ICP is comparing their show to a magical train that fans can join and experience for themselves.
Fifty-two villians, hammered town, the show must go on
This line is using card game terms to indicate that they have a lineup of 'villains' in their show and that nothing will stop it from happening.
Giant ladies, bearded ladies, midget ladies, ladies!
ICP is promising their fans a variety of larger, hairy, and tiny women at their show.
Clowns of darkness and underneath them comes the cloud
This line is ominous and could refer to the audience being consumed by darkness, becoming a part of ICP's twisted world.
Fuck dat!
ICP ends the song with their signature catchphrase, which is another way of expressing their disdain for anything they don't like.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH BRUCE, JOSEPH UTSLER, MIKE E. CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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