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.
Clown Luv
Insane Clown Posse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chillen in the allyway, signs straight beemin
Up in the air I hear they don't care
Get your mutha fucken melon busted for a stare
Luv pumpin through the heart, flowin through the veins
Pop a mutha fucka like it aint no thang
Blood shoot eyes from pufin on the bud
Let me see that rag, let me see that luv
Roamin through the hood top cut down
Car packed so full it's fucken on the ground
Max with the homies spitten on the hoes
Stop in the store for a cold 4-0
Grabbin on your balls, straight slanging stalls
Fuck the gang squad tryin to take me out my home
Check my neck and I got yours
Cuz roll with yourself and keep that clown luv
Throw your signs in the air
Whats that? I don't check, I don't care
Cuz I'm down with the clown everywere
Cuz much clown luv is in here [2x]
Hey homes what set your clame?
I'm in the rhymin game, wicked Clown Banging
I'm just a mutha fucka thats down for the cause
You can suck on my balls, unless you got clown luv
Put 'em up, throw 'em up
Let me see them mutha fuckas
Flip 'em up, flip 'em down, flip 'em around
Mutha fuckas mind all warped
From breathin all the smog
I'm all up in the shit, like if my name was frog
Damn I heard a shot, but I got luck
The mutha fuckas missed it's time to shoot 'em up
Here come the sirens I hear 'em gettin close
Here come the squad, it's time to get ghost
If you wanna stay you get beat by a pig
Fuck that shit cuz were I live
My boys got my neck and I got theirs
Cuz I'm true to myself, bitch
Clown Luv
Throw your signs in the air
Whats that? I don't check, I don't care
Cuz I'm down with the clown everywere
Cuz much clown luv is in here [2x]
Hey what the fuck you lookin at man
My rag, my flannel, or the club in my hand?
Well here go ahead, take a closer look
Thanx for the wallet bitch
Give me them duckets, mutha fucken child
To buys doing other things like hangin with my mob
Crew got my neck, well push come to shove
Never sell out yourself, and keep that Clown Luv
Throw your signs in the air
Whats that? I don't check, I don't care
Cuz I'm down with the clown everywere
Cuz much clown luv is in here [repeating]
The lyrics to Insane Clown Posse's "Clown Luv" discuss the violent and criminal lifestyle of gang members living in the ghetto. The gangsters in the alleyway are chilling with their signs straight beaming and don't care about breaking the law. If anyone dares to stare, they will get their head busted. However, at the same time, the song also highlights the sense of brotherhood and camaraderie within the gang, which is referred to as "Clown Luv." The love pumps through their hearts and veins, and they will pop a motherfucker without any remorse for their gang.
The verses further depict the gang roaming through the hood, with their car packed so full of people that it's almost touching the ground. The gang members are grabbing on their balls, straight slanging stalls, and don't care about the gang squad trying to take them out of their home. Despite the violence and constant danger, the gang remains united, having each other's backs, and keeping the clown love alive.
Overall, the song speaks to the conflicts that arise when trying to survive in a dangerous neighborhood while still trying to maintain a sense of identity and brotherhood in a culture that seems to value neither.
Line by Line Meaning
Gangsters bangin, nuts straight hanging
Tough guys showing off their masculinity and toughness.
Chillen in the allyway, signs straight beemin
Relaxing in the alley, representing their gang with hand gestures.
Up in the air I hear they don't care
The gang doesn't care about anyone else or the consequences of their actions.
Get your mutha fucken melon busted for a stare
You might get beat up for looking at them the wrong way.
Luv pumpin through the heart, flowin through the veins
Their love for their gang or crew is strong and intense.
Pop a mutha fucka like it aint no thang
They wouldn't hesitate to kill someone.
Blood shoot eyes from puffin on the bud
They smoke marijuana and their eyes are red and bloodshot.
Let me see that rag, let me see that luv
They want to see their gang's symbol and love for the gang.
Roamin through the hood top cut down
Driving through the neighborhood with the car roof lowered.
Car packed so full it's fucken on the ground
The car is heavily loaded with people and things.
Max with the homies spitten on the hoes
Hanging out with friends and disrespecting women.
Stop in the store for a cold 4-0
Stopping at the convenience store for a 40 oz. beer.
Grabbin on your balls, straight slanging stalls
They're tough and vulgar, selling drugs on the street.
Fuck the gang squad tryin to take me out my home
They don't like the police and won't leave their neighborhood.
Check my neck and I got yours
They trust each other and are willing to protect their friends.
Cuz roll with yourself and keep that clown luv
They stay true to themselves and keep their love for the gang strong.
Throw your signs in the air
Making hand gestures to represent their gang.
Whats that? I don't check, I don't care
They don't care if others understand their gang signs or not.
Cuz I'm down with the clown everywere
They support their gang and are loyal to it everywhere they go.
Cuz much clown luv is in here [2x]
Their love for their gang is strong.
Hey homes what set your clame?
Asking what gang the other person belongs to.
I'm in the rhymin game, wicked Clown Banging
Being a rapper and promoting their gang with their music.
I'm just a mutha fucka thats down for the cause
They're dedicated to their gang and its mission.
You can suck on my balls, unless you got clown luv
Making a vulgar insult and saying you're not welcome unless you support the gang.
Put 'em up, throw 'em up
Making hand gestures to represent their gang.
Let me see them mutha fuckas
Asking to see their gang signs and symbols.
Flip 'em up, flip 'em down, flip 'em around
Showing different angles of their gang signs and symbols.
Mutha fuckas mind all warped
Their minds are messed up due to various factors (e.g. drug use, gang violence).
From breathin all the smog
The air quality where they live is poor.
I'm all up in the shit, like if my name was frog
They're heavily involved in their gang and its problems.
Damn I heard a shot, but I got luck
Hearing gunshots but not getting hit.
The mutha fuckas missed it's time to shoot 'em up
Saying it's time to retaliate and shoot the other gang members.
Here come the sirens I hear 'em gettin close
Police are coming, so they need to leave quickly.
Here come the squad, it's time to get ghost
Slang for leaving quickly to avoid getting caught by police.
If you wanna stay you get beat by a pig
If you stay and resist against the police, you'll get hurt or arrested.
Fuck that shit cuz were I live
They don't like the police and won't let them control their neighborhood.
My boys got my neck and I got theirs
They trust each other and are willing to protect their friends.
Cuz I'm true to myself, bitch
They stay true to themselves and their gang, despite society's disapproval.
Hey what the fuck you lookin at man
Confronting someone for looking at them in a certain way.
My rag, my flannel, or the club in my hand?
Asking which one of these things caught the other person's attention.
Well here go ahead, take a closer look
Allowing the other person to inspect their things more closely.
Thanx for the wallet bitch
Robbing the other person of their wallet or other valuable belongings.
Give me them duckets, mutha fucken child
Asking for money in a vulgar way.
To buys doing other things like hangin with my mob
Using the stolen money to do other things with their gang or crew.
Crew got my neck, well push come to shove
Their friends are loyal to each other and will protect each other in difficult situations.
Never sell out yourself, and keep that Clown Luv
Stay true to yourself and your gang, and keep your love for the gang strong.
Contributed by Sophie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
adrian
on Freaky Tales
bruh