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.
Demon Face
Insane Clown Posse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Shaggy 2 Dope)
I, I don't know, every time I see a video show
I see horrors and sharp teeth, why?
Most these puppets open butt holes up wide
I can't even walk down the street
Without these demons swinging off my meat
Demon faces appear everywhere
Mothafuckers trying to analyze my nut hair
(Anybody Killa)
I see demons everywhere
But I just keep walking like I don't care
When I'm at the mall or on the streets
They are always at drive thru's when I'm looking for eats
I can't shake them. every time I look ones coming
If I lose it, I'm afraid I'm gonna start dumping
Stay calm, clear my brain
Set fire to a face so I don't see it again
(Chorus - Esham)
They're always watching me
They see me spending money
I see the evil in your eyes
The same died they really don't want me to fly
Now I know why
(YOU GOT A DEMON FACE!)
(Monoxide Child)
Are you ready for the jump off?
I'm in a traffic jam with the punk ass cops behind me
In a raid van understand I got a demon in my trunk
And it's face change form and the hater got bucked
He kept looking at me and I started to panic
So I nutted the fuck up and let his whole crew have it
The cop hit the lights and pulled right by me
Now I'm of to burry this bitch behind me
(Violent J)
Demon coming around looking like GWAR
See them in my minds eye, I know who they are
Face pissed off, I'm there and I can't keep calm
I'm steadily exploding, just chilling, the bomb
I see Medusa seduce them with aids in they ass
And a band of necks trying to chase my cash
Better go knock on the van with some of them local openers
Cause they be hoping for you whores...
(Chorus - Esham)
They're always watching me
They see me spending money
I see the evil in your eyes
The same died they really don't want me to fly
Now I know why
(YOU GOT A DEMON FACE!)
(Jamie Madrox)
So many have that demon face, think the so real
They call me fake for goodness sake
Man I just don't know
But I advise you not to trust any them hoes
Them things ain't eyes in the front of they head
They hazard lights one and the walking dead
You're a talking head with a tail to match
Worried about my (DEMONS) mind your own scratch
(Esham)
Now I done been in all types of holy places
Situations with demon faces full of hatred
Condemn the sacred Adam & Eve was in the garden naked
That's why I never talk to a snake bitch
So I won't be bit in the snake pit
Game is immune to a venomous fake bitch
That's why they can't take it
(Chorus - Esham)
They're always watching me
They see me spending money
I see the evil in your eyes
The same died they really don't want me to fly
Now I know why
YOU GOT A DEMON FACE!
DEMON FACE!
DEMON FACE!
DEMON FACE!
YOU GOT A DEMON FACE!
DEMON FACE!
DEMON FACE!
DEMON FACE!
YOU GOT A DEMON FACE!
The lyrics to Insane Clown Posse's song Demon Face describe the feeling of being targeted by negative energy and demonic figures when one is successful or shining in some way. The verses express fear of these demonic faces appearing everywhere, from videos on TV to drive-thrus at the mall. The lyrics suggest that these demons harbor feelings of hate and jealousy for no reason other than the fact that their target is shining, and they take pleasure in attempting to steal their energy. The chorus, sung by Esham, reinforces this idea, emphasizing that "they" (the demons) are always watching and that they don't want their target to "fly" or succeed. The song ends with a series of repetitions of the phrase "demon face," emphasizing the fear and danger that these faces pose.
The lyrics of Demon Face reflect the idea of a spiritual battle against negative energy and hostile forces. Interestingly, Insane Clown Posse often uses the concept of the "dark carnival" in their music, which they describe as a spiritual force that reveals the truth about life and ultimately guides its followers to heaven or hell. This song can thus be interpreted as a battle against those demonic forces that threaten to derail one's path to salvation.
Line by Line Meaning
Motherfuckers always trying to steal your energy, as soon as they see you shining, and going some place or doing something.
People often try to bring you down and sap your positivity and energy when they see you succeeding or doing something worthwhile.
I, I don't know, every time I see a video show, I see horrors and sharp teeth, why?
The singer is perplexed by the prevalence of horror imagery and themes in popular culture, and wonders why this is so appealing to audiences.
Most these puppets open butt holes up wide, I can't even walk down the street, without these demons swinging off my meat, demon faces appear everywhere, mothafuckers trying to analyze my nut hair.
Many people are shallow and obsessed with sexuality and bodily functions, and always seem to be judging and scrutinizing the singer's appearance and behavior.
I see demons everywhere, but I just keep walking like I don't care, when I'm at the mall or on the streets, they are always at drive thru's when I'm looking for eats, I can't shake them. every time I look ones coming, if I lose it, I'm afraid I'm gonna start dumping, stay calm, clear my brain, set fire to a face so I don't see it again.
The artist is constantly harassed and hounded by negative influences and impulses, but tries to maintain composure and control over their emotions and actions to avoid giving in to violent tendencies.
They're always watching me, they see me spending money, I see the evil in your eyes, the same died they really don't want me to fly, now I know why, (YOU GOT A DEMON FACE!)
The artist feels like they are constantly being observed and judged by others, who are envious and resentful of their success and freedom, leading them to lash out and try to bring the artist down.
Are you ready for the jump off?, I'm in a traffic jam with the punk ass cops behind me, in a raid van understand I got a demon in my trunk, and it's face change form and the hater got bucked, he kept looking at me and I started to panic, so I nutted the fuck up and let his whole crew have it, the cop hit the lights and pulled right by me, now I'm of to burry this bitch behind me.
The singer is pursued by authorities and haters who are trying to take away their freedom and success, but fights back with violent force to defend themselves and their interests.
Demon coming around looking like GWAR, see them in my minds eye, I know who they are, face pissed off, I'm there and I can't keep calm, I'm steadily exploding, just chilling, the bomb, I see Medusa seduce them with aids in they ass, and a band of necks trying to chase my cash, better go knock on the van with some of them local openers, cause they be hoping for you whores...
The singer feels besieged by a variety of dangerous and menacing figures who are constantly trying to take advantage of them, and sees themselves as a ticking time bomb of repressed anger and frustration.
So many have that demon face, think the so real, they call me fake for goodness sake, man I just don't know, but I advise you not to trust any them hoes, them things ain't eyes in the front of they head, they hazard lights one and the walking dead, you're a talking head with a tail to match, worried about my (DEMONS) mind your own scratch.
The artist is distrustful of many people who seem fake and superficial, and is suspicious of their motivations and intentions, urging others to be wary of similar influences in their lives.
Now I done been in all types of holy places, situations with demon faces full of hatred, condemn the sacred Adam & Eve was in the garden naked, that's why I never talk to a snake bitch, so I won't be bit in the snake pit, game is immune to a venomous fake bitch, that's why they can't take it.
The artist has encountered many hostile and negative influences in their spiritual journey, and is wary of those who would try to manipulate and deceive them for their own benefit, using religious imagery and allegory to underscore their point.
Contributed by Sydney M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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on Freaky Tales
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