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.
Intro
Insane Clown Posse Lyrics
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When the Dark Carnival begins to swell with the countless souls awaiting judgement
And the thriving mob begins to tear at each other to find a place in lines that stretch out of view
And as attractions open wide to accommodate crowds frantically clawing their way inside
He will come to perform the cleansing
As the seething masses turn to witness him growing near
Their eyes attempt to make out his face forming within the looming smoke
Suddenly, bang! Like a continuous explosion, he moves down upon them full of thunderous fury,
Then, pow! A deep, resonating explosion of unparalleled intensity
Those still alive begin to feel a warm rain upon their charred skin,
Which they soon realize is the blood of the shredded victims
They can only lay screaming in pure, stark terror, when boom!
An earthshaking implosion of catastrophic proportions erupts,
Causing all to collapse inward into a finite point of brilliant, horrific energy
You may call him "Bang! Pow! Boom!"
Bang, pow, boom
The opening lines of Insane Clown Posse's Bang! Pow! Boom! describe a moment when the Dark Carnival, the mystical entity that guides the band's mythology, swells with countless souls waiting for judgment. As the carnival attractions open to accommodate the crowds, the band's signature villain, "Bang! Pow! Boom!" comes to perform the cleansing. The lyrics describe the villain's approach, with masses of people turning to witness his arrival as they claw their way into the attractions. The song's mood is apocalyptic, with a sense of dread as "Bang! Pow! Boom!" approaches.
The lyrics then describe the villain's arrival, with a "continuous explosion" that envelopes the masses in darkness. A deep, resonating sound follows, and the victims realize that they are covered in the blood of the shredded victims. The scene is described in graphic detail, with people screaming in fear and a catastrophic implosion causing all to collapse inward into a "finite point of brilliant, horrific energy." Throughout the song, Insane Clown Posse's unique blend of horror, humor and social commentary is on display, as they explore themes of spirituality, morality, and the human condition.
Line by Line Meaning
There comes a time, every so often,
Occasionally, there is a time when the Dark Carnival becomes more active and prepares to judge souls.
When the Dark Carnival begins to swell with the countless souls awaiting judgement
During this time, many souls are waiting for judgment, and the Dark Carnival becomes more influential.
And the thriving mob begins to tear at each other to find a place in lines that stretch out of view
The sheer number of people causes chaos and unrest as everyone tries to find their place in long lines.
And as attractions open wide to accommodate crowds frantically clawing their way inside
The attractions try to accommodate the masses of people who are desperate to get in.
He will come to perform the cleansing
The performer will arrive to execute a ritual or cleansing.
As the seething masses turn to witness him growing near
People begin to notice the performer approaching and turn towards him.
Their eyes attempt to make out his face forming within the looming smoke
The people try to see his face forming through the smoke.
Suddenly, bang! Like a continuous explosion, he moves down upon them full of thunderous fury,
Suddenly, the performer descends upon them with great force and anger.
Enveloping the masses in darkness
The people are swallowed by darkness.
Then, pow! A deep, resonating explosion of unparalleled intensity
An explosion occurs with an incredibly intense resonation.
Those still alive begin to feel a warm rain upon their charred skin,
The survivors feel what they initially believe to be rain, but it is actually blood from shredded victims.
Which they soon realize is the blood of the shredded victims
The survivors come to the realization that the rain is actually the blood of the shredded victims.
They can only lay screaming in pure, stark terror, when boom!
The survivors scream in terror as another explosive boom occurs.
An earthshaking implosion of catastrophic proportions erupts,
A massive implosion causes catastrophic destruction.
Causing all to collapse inward into a finite point of brilliant, horrific energy
The implosion causes everything to collapse in towards a single point producing an intense, vibrant, and terrifying energy.
You may call him "Bang! Pow! Boom!"
The performer is known as 'Bang! Pow! Boom!'
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JOSEPH BRUCE, JOSEPH UTSLER, MIKE E. CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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