Psychopathic Records

Psychopathic Records, also known as "the Hatchet," is a Michigan, USA, based independent record label. Formed in 1990 by Alex Abbiss and southwest Detroit rap group, Insane Clown Posse, the label has explored many avenues throughout its temultuous history. Psychopathic Records, though often shunned upon and underestimated by mainstream media and fanbases, has built itself from the ground up, acquiring many accolades, including, but certainly not limited to:

History

The record label began after the ICP, then known as Inner City Posse, handed a copy of their Dog Beats EP into a record store where Alex Abbiss was employed in 1990 and sold 19 copies. Alex agreed to manage the ICP, and a lifelong relationship was born. The Hatchet Man symbol was created by ICP member Shaggy 2 Dope, drawn on a napkin just minutes before a meeting with Alex.

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The Inner City Posse became the Insane Clown Posse in 1991. Promotion in the early 1990s was done completely by ICP and their friends in the streets, handing out flyers and demos. ICP (the only group on Psychopathic at the time) was selling tens of thousands of records each time out by 1995 using this method, which they perfected, but did not get signed to a major record label until 1995.

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In 1995, Psychopathic signed rap group Project Born out of Flint, Michigan, but unfortunately, a falling out occurred after the group released their EP, and they left the label. However, by this time, Psychopathic had finally made enough noise on its own to get the attention of New York City-based record label Jive Records. Much to the dismay of the Hatchet, rather than broadening distribution for ICP, Jive only promoted and distributed in the midwest, where ICP was already popular. Psychopathic resorted to their time-tested street team promotion tactics, this time taking it to Dallas, Texas.

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Their Jive contract was purchased by Hollywood Records, a Walt Disney owned label. In 1997, Disney pulled ICP's The Great Milenko from shelves six hours after it was released, causing a media controversy (not so much out of concern for ICP as much as it was that Disney was already under fire from the media). This media controversy gave ICP much more exposure than they had ever had previously, and Milenko ultimately attained platinum status.

Related Topics:
Hollywood Records - Walt Disney

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Throughout 1998 and 1999, Psychopathic now had the means for expansion. ICP had several labels bidding to buy out their Disney contract, with Island Records finally winning. They acquired new talent, including Myzery and Twiztid. The former had a similar falling out that Project Born previously had, and the latter was comprised of two-thirds of the Detroit rap group House of Krazees. Psychopathic began moving into the wrestling world, as ICP made appearances at Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling events. They were getting mainstream exposure, with albums featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard and Snoop Dogg and even a set at Woodstock in 1999. In 1999, Psychopathic produced a movie starring ICP, Twiztid, several Psychopathic employees, and actors Harland Williams, Rudy Ray Moore, prank call specialists the Jerky Boys and WWF wrestler Mick Foley. The Misfits also made a cameo appearance.

Related Topics:
Island Records - House of Krazees - Extreme Championship Wrestling - World Championship Wrestling - Ol' Dirty Bastard - Snoop Dogg - Harland Williams - Rudy Ray Moore - Jerky Boys - Mick Foley - Misfits

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By 2000, the mainstram popularity resulting from the Disney hype began to wane. Many people who had "bandwagonned" ICP and Psychopathic began to lose interest. However, many "true Juggalos" did result from Psychopathic's years in the mainstream. ICP was released from their Island Records obligations in 2000, and Psychopathic has since been independent. In July, Psychopathic put on the first annual Gathering of the Juggalos in Novi, Michigan. The GotJ would go on to be an annual event, and would be an event that many Juggalos would look forward to every year.

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In the early part of the 2000s decade, many new artists were being signed to the label. The Psychopathic Rydas, and gangsta rap group, had been formed in the late 1990s, and was comprised originally of ICP, Twiztid, and Myzery rapping under different names, though membership has since changed. Blaze Ya Dead Homie was introduced to the label by Twiztid and released his debut in 2001. Anybody Killa started off as Blaze's hypeman and would go on to release his debut in 2003. Dark Lotus, a Psychopathic supergroup, finally formulated, originally comprised of ICP, Twiztid, Blaze, and non-Psychopathic member Marz, though membership had changed several times before and since their debut in 2001. And Psychopathic made an adventure into the world of rock by forming the group Zug Izland, which eventually released an album in 2003. At the 2002 Gathering, the world of the underground and horrorcore music was stunned when it was announced that "The Godfather of Acid Rap," Esham the Unholy had signed to Psychopathic as Esham the Boogieman.

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In late 2003 and early 2004, beef arose in the ranks of Psychopathic, when Twiztid and their crew planned to eventually separate from Psychopathic and form Majik Records. The label essentially split into two sides: the ICP side and the Twiztid side. It was eventually discovered that the beef was being aggravated by Psychopathic Warrior Tom Dub spreading rumors to both sides. Dub wanted to separate and join Twiztid on Majik for what appeared to be selfish reasons. After the discoveries were uncovered, Dub was fired. To date, a legal battle continues between Twiztid and Dub over the rights to Majik. In 2004, Psychopathic became more united than ever.

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By 2005, it appeared that Twiztid had begun to outshine their proteges, ICP. By this time, almost all "bandwagoners" from the Milenko era hype had gone. There is a very obvious and apparent change in direction for the Hatchet compared to just a few years earlier; whereas they used to try to promote to all audiences, they now concentrate on the Juggalos, with little to no regard for what goes on in the outside world. The Soopa Villainz group was formed, made up of ICP, Esham, and non-Hatchet artist Lavel rapping under different names, after almost three years of hype and speculation. At the 2005 Gathering of the Juggalos, it was unveiled that the Soopa Heroz would also be formed, with the mission of "destroying the Soopa Villainz." To date, Soopa Heroz consists of Twiztid and Anybody Killa.

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