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.
Riddle Box
Insane Clown Posse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Welcome to your death
Now let's see where you're headed
Turn the crank
And experience was in store for you
Deep with the mighty Riddlebox (riddlebox echo 3x)
The joke's on you, hehe, riddlebox
Wicked, wicked, wicked, wicked clowns
Hey, I'm Violent J
And I'm here
Well, I'm here to kick your ass
We the wicked juggalos
We juggle those who live like hoes who chose
The express route, one way
Straight down the spiral twist
To the Riddlebox
The joke's on you, hehe, riddlebox
Hahahahahahahahahaha
Hey, what's up, motherfucker
This is Shaggs 2 Dope
Congratulating you on opening the box
The Riddlebox
It looks like you received your prize
The cost, what it cost
Was your ass, bitchboy!
Hahahahah!
The joke's on you, hehe, riddlebox
Hahahahahahahahahaha
Tell me, sir, what can you do?
It looks like the joke's on you
Come on down and turn the crank
Let's see where your soul
Will spend the rest of eternity
What's it gonna be, mister?
Heaven or hell, the bonus or the bone
Turn the crank and let's find out
Come on down, mister
You don't have anything to be scared of
Do you, sir?
So what's gonna pop up out
Of the mighty Riddlebox
Spin the crank and let's find out
What'd you say!? Step right up, who's first?
Who's brave enough to step into
Their new eternal destiny
Surely someone must be confident
That there life wasn't totally evil
Step right up and seal your fate...
The song Riddle Box by Insane Clown Posse is a dark and twisted tale that welcomes its listeners to their death through a deadly game of chance. The song opens with the welcoming of the listeners to their death and their subsequent journey through the Riddlebox, a metaphor for the afterlife. The audience is then given a choice between heaven or hell, and the only way to determine their fate is to turn the crank of the Riddlebox.
The lyrics are rapped by both members of the Insane Clown Posse, Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, who go on to taunt and take pleasure in the listener's fate. The group, called the wicked juggalos, claims to violently juggle those who live like hoes, indicating that the song is targeted at people who live sinful or immoral lives. The chorus repeats the line, "The joke's on you, hehe, riddlebox" accompanied by maniacal laughter, highlighting the gruesome and terrifying nature of the theme.
Line by Line Meaning
Ladies and gentlemen
Attention please, everyone.
Welcome to your death
You have reached the end of your life.
Now let's see where you're headed
Let's determine where your soul will spend eternity.
Turn the crank
Use the Riddlebox to determine where you're going.
And experience was in store for you
You will find out your fate when you open the Riddlebox.
Deep with the mighty Riddlebox (riddlebox echo 3x)
The answer to your eternal fate is hidden in the Riddlebox.
The joke's on you, hehe, riddlebox
Hahahahahahahahahaha
We are laughing at you for opening the Riddlebox and not knowing what lies ahead.
Wicked, wicked, wicked, wicked clowns
We are the Insane Clown Posse, and we are wicked.
Hey, I'm Violent J
And I'm here
Well, I'm here to kick your ass
I am Violent J, and I am here to scare you into the afterlife.
We the wicked juggalos
We juggle those who live like hoes who chose
The express route, one way
Straight down the spiral twist
To the Riddlebox
We, the Insane Clown Posse, are the wicked juggalos who punish those who choose the wrong path in life and send them straight to the Riddlebox.
Hey, what's up, motherfucker
This is Shaggs 2 Dope
Congratulating you on opening the box
The Riddlebox
I am Shaggs 2 Dope, and I am mocking you for opening the Riddlebox.
It looks like you received your prize
The cost, what it cost
Was your ass, bitchboy!
Hahahahah!
You opened the Riddlebox and got exactly what you deserved - eternal punishment. We find this funny.
Tell me, sir, what can you do?
It looks like the joke's on you
You thought you could outsmart the Riddlebox, but now it has tricked you. What can you do now?
Come on down and turn the crank
Let's see where your soul
Will spend the rest of eternity
Accept your fate and open the Riddlebox to discover where you will spend the rest of eternity.
What's it gonna be, mister?
Heaven or hell, the bonus or the bone
Turn the crank and let's find out
Come on down, mister
Your fate rests in the Riddlebox. Will you go to Heaven or Hell? Let's open it and find out.
You don't have anything to be scared of
Do you, sir?
Don't be afraid of the Riddlebox. Do you believe you've lived a good life?
So what's gonna pop up out
Of the mighty Riddlebox
Spin the crank and let's find out
What'd you say!? Step right up, who's first?
Let's open the Riddlebox and see what it holds. Who's brave enough to go first?
Who's brave enough to step into
Their new eternal destiny
Surely someone must be confident
That there life wasn't totally evil
Someone must be brave enough to accept their fate and hope that their life was not entirely evil.
Step right up and seal your fate...
Come forward and accept your fate by opening the Riddlebox.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH BRUCE, MIKE E. CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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