Insane Clown Posse (abbreviated as ICP), is an American hip-hop duo compose… Read Full Bio ↴Insane Clown Posse (abbreviated as ICP), is an American hip-hop duo composed of Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope (Joseph Utsler). ICP has earned two platinum and five gold albums. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the entire catalog of the group has sold 6.5 million units in the United States and Canada as of April 2007. The group has established a dedicated following called Juggalos numbering in the "tens of thousands".

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.

If I Was a Serial Killer
Insane Clown Posse Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(Violent J)
If I was a Serial Killer
They would find all my victim's heads
In funky ass gas station toilets
And if I was a Serial Killer
I would be strange and deranged
And I would never change
If I was a Serial Killer

I'd be known as the smoker
Cause I'd cut off and smoke all they hair
And if I was a Serial Killer
I would sleep on broken glass and thumbtacks
And I would smoke mad crack

(Shaggy 2 Dope)
First thing I would do is kill a couple hotties
They'd always get some mustard up decapitated bodies
Dumped on State police law just before dawn
To let em know my ritual had begun
I'd crack a 40 with the devil tell him dig me a hole
Cause I'm coming when I die until them I'm in control
This is if I was a Serial Killer and though I ain't
But if I was I'd do my walls all blood red with blood paint
This is if I was a Serial Killer and though I ain't
But if I was I'd never stop cause I know I can't

(Violent J)
If I was a Serial Killer
I would drive a black van
And I would ride around on college campus
And if I was a Serial Killer
I would walk among us and gain trust
Until I needed that rush

(Shaggy 2 Dope)
I'd park outside these bitches homes and then drive away
Then come back with my lights off this time I'm here to stay
I'd wear human bones around my neck and have my ceremonies
Then go back upstairs and microwave some macaronis
You know what's all up in my trunk
So don't ask me to pop it
Once I get out to my cabin
Then I'll finally unlock it
This is if I was a Serial Killer and though I'm not
But if I was I'd snap a photo once they died on the spot
This is if I was a Serial Killer and though I'm not
But if I was I'd know that I can't so I would never stop

(Violent J)
And I don't know myself anymore
(and I don't know who I am anymore)
And I don't know who to be anymore
(and I don't know who I am anymore)
And I don't know what to think anymore
(and I don't know who I am anymore)
Except that I am strange and deranged
(and I don't know who I am anymore)
And I will never change

(chorus)
I wanna hold up this hatchet
Psychopathic Records shit we'll burn the whole planet down
I wanna run with this hatchet
We gotta always kick the wicked shit we'll always be the same
I wanna hold up this hatchet
Fuck the world take me under bitch we trying to rule the tunnels,
The Tempest raining lightning balls of fire rain
ICP with Mike E Clark again
I wanna run with this hatchet
(Wicked Clowns, Blaze, Twiztid, Boondox and Lotus
Holding down the underground and you know this
I wanna run with this hatchet
You know this

Chop it on down
Chop it on down
I wanna run with this hatchet
I wanna run with this hatchet

(chorus again)
I wanna hold up this hatchet
Psychopathic Records shit we'll burn the whole planet down
I wanna run with this hatchet
We gotta always kick the wicked shit we'll always be the same
I wanna hold up this hatchet
Fuck the world take me under bitch we trying to rule the tunnels,
The Tempest raining lightning balls of fire rain
ICP with Mike E Clark again
I wanna run with this hatchet
(Wicked Clowns, Blaze, Twiztid, Boondox and Lotus
Holding down the underground and you know this
I wanna run with this hatchet
You know this

(Violent J)
If I was a Serial Killer
I would bury all my special projects
Underneath the garden in my grandmother's backyard
And if I was a Serial Killer

I would be strange and deranged
And I would rock my hatchet chain

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "If I Was a Serial Killer" by Insane Clown Posse delve into the twisted mind of a hypothetical serial killer. Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope alternate verses, with each describing their own sick fantasies. Violent J imagines leaving his victims' heads in gas station toilets and smoking their hair, while Shaggy 2 Dope talks about wearing human bones and taking pictures of his victims. The chorus expresses a desire to "run with this hatchet," referring to the iconic symbol of Insane Clown Posse's fanbase, known as Juggalos.

The song highlights the dark and disturbing nature of the group's lyrics as well as their dedicated fanbase. The lyrics portray the mindset of a serial killer, with a focus on the glorification of violence and murder, alluding to the dangerous underground culture associated with some fans of the group. However, the chorus also promotes a sense of community and belonging, suggesting that fans can find acceptance and solidarity in their shared love of the music.

Line by Line Meaning

If I was a Serial Killer
Imagining myself as a serial killer

They would find all my victim's heads In funky ass gas station toilets
I would dispose of my victims' heads in gas station restrooms

And if I was a Serial Killer I would be strange and deranged And I would never change
If I were a serial killer, I'd be mentally unstable and refuse to deviate from my ways

If I was a Serial Killer I'd be known as the smoker Cause I'd cut off and smoke all they hair
I'd be notorious for cutting off and smoking my victims' hair if I were a serial killer

And if I was a Serial Killer I would sleep on broken glass and thumbtacks And I would smoke mad crack
As a serial killer, I'd have some bizarre habits such as sleeping on glass and tacks and using crack

I'd crack a 40 with the devil tell him dig me a hole Cause I'm coming when I die until then I'm in control
I'd make a deal with the devil to dig my grave, but until my death, I'd remain in control

This is if I was a Serial Killer and though I ain't But if I was I'd do my walls all blood red with blood paint
Although I'm not a killer, if I were, I'd paint my walls red with blood

I'd park outside these bitches homes and then drive away Then come back with my lights off this time I'm here to stay
As a serial killer, I'd stalk my prey's homes, leave, and then return later in the dark, ready to strike

This is if I was a Serial Killer and though I'm not But if I was I'd snap a photo once they died on the spot
Although I'm not a serial killer, if I were, I'd take pictures of my victims after I had killed them

And I don't know myself anymore (and I don't know who I am anymore) And I don't know who to be anymore (and I don't know who I am anymore) And I don't know what to think anymore (and I don't know who I am anymore) Except that I am strange and deranged (and I don't know who I am anymore) And I will never change
I'm lost and have no sense of self, except for being unstable, and I'll never change

I wanna hold up this hatchet Psychopathic Records shit we'll burn the whole planet down I wanna run with this hatchet We gotta always kick the wicked shit we'll always be the same I wanna hold up this hatchet Fuck the world take me under bitch we trying to rule the tunnels, The Tempest raining lightning balls of fire rain ICP with Mike E Clark again I wanna run with this hatchet (Wicked Clowns, Blaze, Twiztid, Boondox and Lotus Holding down the underground and you know this I wanna run with this hatchet You know this
I want to represent Psychopathic Records and stick with our wicked, underground mentality. We'll never change and want to dominate the underground scene

If I was a Serial Killer I would bury all my special projects Underneath the garden in my grandmother's backyard
As a serial killer, I'd hide my special belongings under my grandma's garden

And if I was a Serial Killer I would be strange and deranged And I would rock my hatchet chain
Again, if I were a serial killer, I'd be unstable, and I'd show off my hatchet chain

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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