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.
Southwest Strangla
Insane Clown Posse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to stop, I drive by the camp quick
I want necks 2 or 3 maybe more
To squeeze again, and again, and squeeze some more
I came up, walkin down Boulavard
Then this girl, she makes my nutsack hard
I don't know, what about my mental state
They might find a bitch dead, there's nothin else that I hate less
Oh shit, she's runnin on my wang
Then somethin goes, snap, bang
Eh bitch, ha ha, die
Her neck long, skinny like a french frie
So I twist, turn, tangle then I strangle
'cause I'm the Southwest Strangla
I want necks, long, tall, skinny
Any ol' necks at all, if any Jenny, Linny, Sidney, Sue
I want, necks, so I go to the zoo
I choke a Pelican, I did it right
I choke an Ostrich, long ass neck
But I'd rather be killen at the prom
I pick up my date, I get to meet her mom
Hello Miss I hurry home quick
All I want to do is choke her neck a bit
Worry not, I bring the corpse back
I just want to hear a neck bone snap
Why me? Hey I'm sweatin Comosion, dillusion, confusion, psycho
All I want to do is kiss you good-bye
Before I mangle ya
'cause I'm the Southwest Strangla
I got the southside scared, 'cause I'm weird
I was a freak in the 2nd grade I had a beard
I sit alone in the back of the art class
And draw necks with a big red dash
I never thought I'd be a lunatic
A descrase, a droped out mental case
I quit school, but I never left the hall
I grab kids and drag 'em in between a wall
Hear 'em scream, echo through the gym class
You hear me chokin bitches up in the wind shaft
They call me, The Ghost of the Bad Lands
But I'm really just a killa, with big hands
Allow me to squeeze your neck dear
Until your brains pop dead out your fuckin' ear
Burry them in my back yard With a twisted spine broken bones
...Cuz I'm the Strangla
The song "Southwest Strangla" by Insane Clown Posse is a dark and disturbing depiction of a violent individual. The lyrics describe the singer driving by a camp and wanting to strangle several necks, walking down a street and seeing a girl who makes his nutsack hard, going on to kill and twist the necks of multiple animals, wanting to choke his date's mother, dragging kids in between a wall to hear them scream, and ultimately burying the twisted spines and broken bones of his victims in his backyard. The chorus repeats that he is the "Southwest Strangla" and is feared and considered a freak.
The lyrics are truly disturbing and paint the picture of a psychopathic killer with no remorse or empathy for his victims. The song speaks to the darker side of humanity and highlights the impact of mental illness on individuals. It also shows how dangerous it is when violent fantasies are not addressed and treated. It is important for individuals to seek help and support if they experience such thoughts or emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
Ahhh, make way for the lunatic
I am crazy and people should be nervous around me.
I want to stop, I drive by the camp quick
I am looking for someone/something to strangle.
I want necks 2 or 3 maybe more, To squeeze again, and again, and squeeze some more
I want to strangle multiple people and continue to do so.
I came up, walkin down Boulavard, Then this girl, she makes my nutsack hard
I saw a girl while I was walking down the street and became sexually aroused.
I don't know, what about my mental state
I am aware that my mental state is not normal and possibly dangerous.
They might find a bitch dead, there's nothin else that I hate less
I enjoy killing and there is nothing I enjoy less than not being able to kill.
Hey man jump in, toots, hungary? Well I got some, nuts
I am offering a ride to a woman and making a crude sexual reference.
Oh shit, she's runnin on my wang, Then somethin goes, snap, bang
The woman tries to get away, but I strangle her so hard that something (possibly her spine) breaks
Eh bitch, ha ha, die, Her neck long, skinny like a french frie, So I twist, turn, tangle then I strangle
I am killing the woman and enjoying the fact that her neck looks like a french fry.
I want necks, long, tall, skinny, Any ol' necks at all, if any Jenny, Linny, Sidney, Sue, I want, necks, so I go to the zoo, I choke a Pelican, I did it right, I choke an Ostrich, long ass neck
I continue to seek out necks to strangle and even go to the zoo to strangle a pelican and ostrich.
But I'd rather be killen at the prom, I pick up my date, I get to meet her mom, Hello Miss I hurry home quick, All I want to do is choke her neck a bit
I want to strangle my prom date and her mother and enjoy the thought of doing so.
Worry not, I bring the corpse back, I just want to hear a neck bone snap
I bring the dead body of my victim back home and break her neck for my own pleasure.
Why me? Hey I'm sweatin Comosion, dillusion, confusion, psycho, All I want to do is kiss you good-bye, Before I mangle ya, 'cause I'm the Southwest Strangla
I am questioning why I am this way and even though I know I am crazy, I still want to kill.
I got the southside scared, 'cause I'm weird, I was a freak in the 2nd grade I had a beard
I have always been an outcast and people are scared of me because I am strange.
I sit alone in the back of art class, And draw necks with a big red dash
I enjoy drawing necks and possibly imagining them being strangled.
I never thought I'd be a lunatic, A descrase, a dropped out mental case
I know I am a mental case, but I never thought my life would end up like this.
I quit school, but I never left the hall, I grab kids and drag 'em in between a wall, Hear 'em scream, echo through the gym class, You hear me choking bitches up in the wind shaft
I dropped out of school but still go back to grab kids and strangle them anywhere I can.
They call me, The Ghost of the Bad Lands, But I'm really just a killa, with big hands, Allow me to squeeze your neck dear, Until your brains pop dead out your fuckin' ear, Burry them in my back yard With a twisted spine broken bones
I am known as The Ghost of the Bad Lands but in reality, I am just a killer with large hands that enjoys strangling people and burying them in my backyard.
...Cuz I'm the Strangla
I am the strangler and I will continue to strangle people as much as I want.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOSEPH BRUCE, MIKE E. CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
RumpleStiltskinYoutu
I love all of Shaggy's character songs. He really emulates the persona well.
Slippy Jones
"Shaggs the Clown" would've been AMAZING!! But, it didn't happen. Just the four songs off of "FUCK OFF!", and "Southwest Strangla"... is proof enough of that.
inkredibill
HAHA RIGHT a persona... me too bro, all of us :)
woops
Lol yea, the emulating
WeaponX403
Shaggs sounds fucking HAMMERED on this song LOL I fucking love it
Daniel Barron
WeaponX403 well he is a alcoholic and has been to rehab many times so makes sense lol
Tsyche
yea its fucking great :)
Troy Dylan Faygo
Hellz Yeah Homies all sorts Of Fuked up xD
Mad Villain
Shaggy Has such a unique flow
Motenandjons21
Shaggy is an alien