Insane Clown Posse

1992–1993: Carnival of Carnage era

The group began recording their debut album, Carnival of Carnage, with producer Chuck Miller. After recording only three songs for $6,000 with Miller, Alex Abbiss made his first major managerial move by finding another producer, Mike E. Clark.^[10] The group finished recording the album with Clark, who continued to work with them throughout their career. The album featured appearances from local rappers, including Esham and Kid Rock.^[7] Just weeks prior to the release of their album, John left the group because he felt that it was "taking up too much of [his] life".^[10] When Bruce and Utsler attempted to call a meeting to talk about the issues, John did not attend.^[10]

"Ghetto Freak Show" (sample)

"Ghetto Freak Show", from the group's 1992 album Carnival of Carnage.

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Problems playing this file? See media help.

Carnival of Carnage was released on October 18, 1992, with distribution within a 120-mile (190-kilometer) radius of Detroit.^[10] Allmusic reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine compared the group's performance on the album to "a third-rate Beastie Boys supported by a cut-rate Faith No More, all tempered with the sensibility that made Gwar cult heroes—only with...more sexism and jokes that...wind up sounding racist".^[7] The follow-up EP, Beverly Kills 50187, sold well and gained a larger audience. Beverly Kills 50187 featured Greez-E, a fan that the ICP met earlier that year, as a replacement for John Kickjazz.^[11] During a live performance of the song "The Juggla", Bruce addressed the audience as Juggalos, and the positive response resulted in the group using the word thereafter.^[12] Greez-E left the band after the EP was released.^[11] The word has been the subject of criticism from both Ben Sisario of Rolling Stone and Allmusic's Erlewine, who suggested the term is similar to the racial slur jigaboo.^[7][13]

1994: Ringmaster era

The group's second studio album, Ringmaster, was released on March 8, 1994, and its popularity enabled the group to sell out larger nightclubs across Detroit.^[14] Because Bruce and Utsler made reference to the Detroit-produced soft drink Faygo in their songs, they "figured it would be cool to have some on stage with [them]".^[15] During a concert in 1993, Bruce threw an open bottle of Faygo at a row of concertgoers who were giving them the finger. After receiving a positive response, Bruce and Utsler have since continued to spray Faygo onto audiences.^[15] A subsequent national tour increased sales of the album,^[12] earning Ringmaster a gold certification.^[16] The group's second EP, The Terror Wheel, was released on August 5, 1994. One of the songs from the EP, "Dead Body Man", received considerable local radio play.^[12] The same year marked their first "Hallowicked" concert, which has since continued annually on Halloween night in Detroit.^[12]

1995–1996: Riddle Box era

In 1995, Bruce and Utsler attempted to obtain a contract with a major record label. The duo eventually signed a contract with the short-lived Jive Records sub-label Battery Records,^[12] which released the group's third studio album, Riddle Box, on October 10, 1995.^[17] After Battery/Jive Records showed little interest in promoting the album, Insane Clown Posse funded the promotion of Riddle Box independently. This effort led the group to Dallas, Texas, where it persuaded several music retail stores to stock the album. Sales averaged 1,500 copies per week as a result.^[18]

1997–1998: The Great Milenko era

Manager Alex Abbiss negotiated a contract with the Disney-owned label Hollywood Records, which reportedly paid $1 million to purchase the Insane Clown Posse contract from Battery/Jive/BMG Records.^[19] The group started recording its fourth studio album, The Great Milenko, in 1996, during which Disney requested that the tracks "The Neden Game", "Under the Moon", and "Boogie Woogie Wu" be removed. Disney also asked that the lyrics of other tracks be changed, threatening to not release the album otherwise.^[20][21] Bruce and Utsler complied with Disney's request, and planned to go on a national tour with House of Krazees and Myzery as their opening acts.^[20]

During a music store autograph signing, Insane Clown Posse was notified that Hollywood Records had recalled the album within hours of its release,^[20] despite having sold 18,000 copies and reaching No.63 on the Billboard 200.^[22][23] The group was also informed that its in-store signings and nationwide tour had been canceled, and commercials for the album and the music video for "Halls of Illusions" (which had reached No. 1 on The Box video request channel) were pulled from television, and the group was dropped from the label.^[20] It was later revealed that Disney was being criticized by the Southern Baptist Convention at the time because of Disney's promotion of "Gay Days" at Disneyland, in addition to presiding over the gay-themed television sitcom Ellen.^[24] The Convention accused Disney of turning its back on "family values".^[25] Although Abbiss told the press that Disney had stopped production of The Great Milenko to avoid further controversy, Disney claimed instead that the release of the album was an oversight by their review board, and that the album "did not fit the Disney image" because of its "inappropriate" lyrics,^[26] which they claimed were offensive to women.^[27]

After the termination of the Hollywood Records contract, Insane Clown Posse signed a new contract with Island/PolyGram Records, which agreed to release the album as intended.^[21][28] Entertainment Weekly music critic David Browne gave the record a C-minus rating: "[With] its puerile humor and intentionally ugly metal-rap tunes, the album feels oddly dated".^[22] The Great Milenko was certified platinum with over 1.7 million copies sold.^[1] One of the group's first projects with Island Records was an hour-long documentary titled Shockumentary, which aired on MTV. The station initially refused to play the documentary, but Island Records persuaded them to air it as a personal favor.^[28] Shockumentary helped increase album sales from 17,000 to 50,000 copies per week.^[28] Island also rereleased the group's first two albums, as well as a 2-CD compilation album composed of rare songs and demos titled "Forgotten Freshness Vol. 1".

1999: The Amazing Jeckel Brothers era

On April 19, 1998, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bruce suffered a panic attack during a performance and was carried off stage.^[38] Bruce, who later recalled being completely "out of it",^[38] found scissors and cut off his dreadlocks.^[38] After suffering another panic attack once he returned home, Bruce opted to spend three days in a Michigan mental health program.^[38] Insane Clown Posse later cancelled the last two weeks' worth of dates on its United States tour,^[38] but subsequently launched their first European tour.^[39][40]

By late 1998 over one million copies of The Great Milenko had been sold,^[41] and Insane Clown Posse was ready for its fifth album, The Amazing Jeckel Brothers. Working with Mike E. Clark and Rich "Legz Diamond" Murrell, Bruce and Utsler developed their album with the highest of hopes. The group was known nationally, but were not taken very seriously. Hoping to receive the respect Bruce and Utsler felt they deserved, they planned to feature well-known, respected rappers on their album.^[41] Bruce stated outright that he wanted to involve Snoop Dogg and Ol' Dirty Bastard. They paid Snoop Dogg $40,000 to appear on the song "The Shaggy Show". Snoop Dogg also helped them contact Ol' Dirty Bastard, who was paid $30,000 for his appearance. Ol' Dirty Bastard recorded his track in a matter of two days; however, his recording consisted of nothing more than him rambling about "bitches".^[41] It took Bruce and Utsler a week to assemble just four rhymes out of his rambling, and had to re-record the track and title it "Bitches".^[41] Finally, Insane Clown Posse contacted Ice-T, who charged them only $10,000.^[41] The group felt that Ice-T's song did not belong on the album, and was instead released on a later album, Psychopathics from Outer Space.^[41]

To help increase their positive publicity, the group hired the Nasty Little Man publicity team.^[41] The team set up a photo shoot for Insane Clown Posse that was to appear on the cover of Alternative Press magazine in Cleveland. On the set of the photo shoot, a member of the publicity team approached Bruce and explained that in the song "Fuck the World", the lyric that stated "Fuck the Beastie Boys and the Dalai Lama" needed to be changed.^[41] Insulted, Bruce exclaimed that his music would not be censored again—referring to Disney's previous requirement for censorship.^[41] Nasty Little Man told Bruce that the Beastie Boys were not only clients of the company but also personal friends, and the Beastie Boys told the company to make Bruce change the lyric.^[41] In response, Bruce fired Nasty Little Man and asked its team to leave the photo shoot.^[41]

The Amazing Jeckel Brothers was released on May 25, 1999, and reached No. 4 on the Billboard album charts,^[42] and has since been certified platinum by the RIAA.^[16] Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the album a "four out of five stars" rating, stating that "[Insane Clown Posse] actually delivered an album that comes close to fulfilling whatever promise their ridiculous, carnivalesque blend of hardcore hip-hop and shock-metal had in the first place".^[43] Rolling Stone writer Barry Walters gave the album a "two out of five stars" rating, writing that "no musical sleight of hand can disguise the fact that Shaggy and J remain the ultimate wack MCs".^[44] At the same time as The Amazing Jeckel Brothers' release, Island Records merged with Def Jam Records. It quickly became apparent to Bruce and Utsler that Def Jam Records had no interest in them.^[41] Eminem, who had begun to gain mainstream success, insulted Insane Clown Posse in interviews, tours, and the song "Till Hell Freezes Over".^[41]

2000–2001: Bizaar and Bizzar era

On January 10, 2000, Utsler collapsed on stage during a performance at the House of Blues in Chicago and was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He was diagnosed with flu-related symptoms and abnormally low blood sugar. As a result of the incident, the following week's concert dates were rescheduled.^[49] In June 2000, Eminem physically attacked Douglas Dail, an Insane Clown Posse affiliate, threatening him with a gun in the parking lot of a car audio store in Royal Oak, Michigan.^[50] Eminem pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for two years probation and a $10,000 fine.^[51] In July 2000, Bruce and Utsler staged the first annual Gathering of the Juggalos at the Novi Expo Center in Novi, Michigan.^[52] Described by Bruce as a "Juggalo Woodstock", the Gathering of the Juggalos was a three-day music festival that featured wrestling, games, seminars, contests, sideshows, and performances by all Psychopathic Records' artists.^[52] Also featured at the event were Vampiro – who both wrestled and performed – Project Born, and Kottonmouth Kings.^[52] On July 18, 2000, Big Money Hustlas was released direct-to-video.^[41]

After the Gathering of the Juggalos, Insane Clown Posse set out to release its sixth and seventh studio albums – Bizaar and Bizzar – as a double album. While recording the albums, the duo had a fallout with long-time producer Mike E. Clark.^[52] Bizaar and Bizzar were the last complete albums Clark would produce with Insane Clown Posse until his return in 2007. Bruce and Utsler flew to Denver, Colorado, to add the finishing touches to the albums.^[52] Bizaar and Bizzar were released on October 31, 2000, peaking at No. 20 and No. 21, respectively, on the Billboard 200.^[53][54] In The New Rolling Stone Album Guide, Ben Sisario wrote that the albums "qualify as ICP's masterworks of both merchandising and music". Both albums were given a "three out of five stars" rating.^[13] The combined sales were around 400,000 copies, exceeding the bet placed previously with Sharon Osbourne; Osbourne did not come through with payment for having lost the bet.^[52]

Two music videos were released from the albums: "Tilt-a-Whirl", from Bizaar, and "Let's Go All the Way", a cover of a Sly Fox song from Bizzar. MTV agreed to play "Let's Go All the Way" on their network, airing it once in the late evening.^[52] Bruce and Utsler decided to bombard Total Request Live (TRL) with requests for the video.^[52] While on their "Bizaar Bizzar Tour", Insane Clown Posse posted on its website that December 8 was the day for their fans request the video. Bruce and Utsler named that day "The Mighty Day of Lienda", meaning "The Mighty Day of All or Nothing".^[52] On December 8, Rudy Hill, Robert Bruce, Tom Dub, and six other Psychopathic Records employees and friends drove down to New York City.

They were met by nearly 400 Insane Clown Posse fans standing outside in front of the TRL studio window, all with signs supporting the duo.^[52] Thirty minutes before the show began, Viacom security guards and New York City police officers were dispatched to remove all the fans from the sidewalk.^[52] When some fans, including Robert Bruce, refused to move because it was a public street and no other individuals were asked to move, they were assaulted.^[52] All telephone requests for the video to be played were ignored, and Insane Clown Posse was never mentioned during the show.^[52] MTV later informed Island Records that the heads of the network must choose the band first before it can become eligible to be featured on TRL.^[52]

Bruce and Utsler left Island Records, signing a contract with D3 Entertainment to distribute every release on Psychopathic Records, which would remain independently funded, produced, and recorded.^[55] Insane Clown Posse had their own studio built, called "The Lotus Pod".^[52] In the spring of 2001, Insane Clown Posse's road manager William Dail was arrested in Omaha, Nebraska, for allegedly choking a man who waved an Eminem T-shirt in front of the band. Dail was charged for misdemeanor assault and battery. The charges were reduced to a $100 fine after he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.^[56][57]

The second Gathering of the Juggalos was held from July 13–15 at the SeaGate Convention Centre in Toledo, Ohio.^[52] The event featured the same activities as the first Gathering of the Juggalos, as well as guests such as Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Vanilla Ice, and Three 6 Mafia.^[52] On June 15, 2001, Bruce was arrested in Columbia, Missouri, for an outstanding warrant in St. Louis stemming from an incident in February 2001. That incident involved Insane Clown Posse allegedly attacking employees of a St. Louis radio station over disparaging remarks that a disc jockey made on the air. The police used several squad cars to detain Bruce, Utsler, and two associates a few miles from a venue where the group had completed a concert. Bruce was transferred to St. Louis the following day and released on bail without charge on June 18.^[58]

2002–2003: The Wraith: Shangri-La era

The face of the sixth Joker's Card is "The Wraith", a personification of Death. The card features two "exhibits", Shangri-La and Hell's Pit, each of which would be given its own album.^[59] On November 5, 2002, Insane Clown Posse released their eighth studio album, The Wraith: Shangri-La, which debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Top Independent Albums chart.^[60] The album was notable for its explicit acknowledgment of ICP's belief in God.

Ben Sisario criticized the album in the Rolling Stone Album Guide, writing that "the whole thing was some bland divine plan" and asking, "Is this man's final dis of God, or His of us?"^[13] Some critics perceived the spiritual element of the storyline to be a joke or stunt. Allmusic writer Bradley Torreano wrote that "Even if it is a joke, it isn't a funny one, or even a clever one."^[61] In September 2003, Insane Clown Posse was voted the worst band of any musical genre in Blender, with The Wraith: Shangri-La named as the group's worst album.^[62] However, the magazine also gave the album a positive review for its "charming, good-natured idiocy".^[63]

According to Bruce,^[64]

Some people might've been upset [by spiritual themes in The Wraith: Shangri-La], but through our eyes all we did was touch a lot of people. We definitely wanted it to be something everlasting. Maybe a 19-year-old might not understand or like that ending now. But later, when he has four kids, he might think, "That was the shit."

Following the release of The Wraith: Shangri-La, Bruce and Utsler signed a new contract with Sony BMG's RED Distribution and launched the Psychopathic Europe record label.^[55]

The duo went on the 75-date "Shangri-La World Tour", where they performed across the United States, Australia, and Europe.^[59] While in Australia, customs confiscated all the group's Faygo, assuming that they were bringing it for commercial purposes. Insane Clown Posse tried to explain that they are performers and that the soda was part of their act, but were still unable to use the Faygo and forced to use a different form of soda for their Australian tour.

2004: The Wraith: Hell's Pit era

Following the release of The Wraith: Shangri-La, Bruce admitted that he was considering not completing the production of Hell's Pit. He is quoted as describing Shangri-La as "the end of the road. It's the end of the Joker's Cards. After this I could do anything I want, for the rest of my life. The positivity was so unbelievable".^[65] On August 31, 2004, Insane Clown Posse released their ninth studio album, Hell's Pit, the second exhibit of The Wraith, intended to warn listeners of the horrors of Hell. Bruce described the album as the darkest, most painful work he had ever done.^[55] Two versions of the album were released, each containing a different DVD. One release featured a live concert and a twelve-minute music video for the song "Real Underground Baby", and another featured a short film for the song "Bowling Balls", which was the first 3-D film shot in high-definition video.^[55] Also in 2004, music by Insane Clown Posse was featured in the film Demons at the Door, directed by Roy Knyrim.^[66]

2005–2006: Post-First Deck era

In 2005, D12 and Insane Clown Posse ended their feud, with the help of member Proof.^[67] Attempts to officially end the feud between Eminem and Insane Clown Posse have been unsuccessful,^[68][69] but Bruce states that the rivalry has ended.^[70]

On February 1, 2006, Insane Clown Posse fan Jacob D. Robida attacked individuals in a gay bar in New Bedford, Massachusetts, with a handgun and a hatchet—a weapon featured in the logo of the group's record label, Psychopathic Records.^[71][72] Robida had a swastika tattoo and flaunted Nazi insignias and paraphernalia on his website.^[73] On February 5, Robida shot and killed a traffic officer during a routine stop. When police pulled Robida over during a later stop, he killed his girlfriend, Jennifer Bailey of Charleston, West Virginia, then opened fire on the police. Robida was shot twice in the head during the shootout with the police, and later died in the hospital.^[72] On February 7, Insane Clown Posse released a statement on the Robida attacks. The group's manager Alex Abbiss extended Bruce and Utsler's condolences and prayers to the families of the victims, stating that "It's quite obvious that this guy had no clue what being a Juggalo is all about. If anyone knows anything at all about ICP, then you know that they have never, ever been down or will be down with any racist or bigotry bullshit".^[74]

On October 21, 2006, Insane Clown Posse performed at one of twenty benefit shows organized by Myspace as part of the "Rock for Darfur" campaign to raise awareness of the War in Darfur and funds for the region's aid.^[75]

2007–2008: The Tempest era

On March 20, 2007, Insane Clown Posse released their tenth studio album, The Tempest, which debuted at No. 20 on the Billboard 200 and sold nearly 33,000 copies in its first week.^[16][76] In 2008, Bruce and Utsler starred in the Knyrim-directed film Death Racers.^[77] It was released direct-to-video on September 16, 2008, by The Asylum.^[78] In December 2008, John Antonelli filed a lawsuit against the group after being struck by an unopened two-liter of Faygo during a performance at the Fargo nightclub The Hub, formerly known as Playmakers. Antonelli is seeking at least $50,000 in damages. The lawsuit also names the venue, Playmakers, as a defendant. An attorney for Playmakers states that only Bruce should be held liable.^[79]

Big Money Rustlas

Filming of Big Money Rustlas, a Western spoof, began in January 2009,^[64] and concluded on February 24, 2009.^[80] The tenth Gathering of the Juggalos took place at Hogrock in Cave-In-Rock, Illinois, from August 6 to 9. The event had the largest attendance in Gathering history with over 20,000 people.^[68] Over 120 musical artists performed at the event, including the likes of Tech N9ne, Kottonmouth Kings, Ice Cube, Gwar, Coolio, Vanilla Ice, Onyx, Scarface, The Dayton Family, Bizarre, Esham, and NATAS.^[81] At the event, the Big Money Rustlas trailer was screened twice.^[82] An infomercial for the event was released online by Psychopathic Records.^[83] After the event, a friend of Esham's handed Bruce a copy of his album I Ain't Cha Homey, which depicted a clown committing suicide with a gun on the front cover. Bruce listened to the album and saw it as a diss towards Insane Clown Posse.^[84] While Esham claimed that the album was not a diss in his podcast,^[85] the album strained the relationship between Bruce and Esham.^[84]

2009–2011: Bang! Pow! Boom! era

Insane Clown Posse in 2009

Insane Clown Posse's eleventh studio album, Bang! Pow! Boom!, was released on September 1, 2009. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart and No. 4 on the Billboard 200.^[86][87] The album was later revealed to be the first of a "second deck" of Joker's Cards.^[88] The Detroit News music critic Adam Graham gave the album a B rating, describing it as "the best material the Clowns have touched since 1999's The Amazing Jeckel Brothers".^[89]

On July 21, 2009, Tom Scharpling and Paul F. Tompkins discussed the 2009 Gathering of the Juggalos infomercial at length on The Best Show on WFMU.^[90][91][92] On December 5, 2009, Saturday Night Live aired a sketch titled "Kickspit Underground Rock Festival", which parodied the Gathering of the Juggalos infomercial.^[83] Bruce stated that he was not offended by the parody, and that he thought that the sketch was "hilarious" and "a humongous compliment".^[83] On February 17, 2010, Psychopathic Records signed a contract with Universal Music Group's Fontana Distribution.^[93] On March 9, 2010, Insane Clown Posse were interviewed by Nightline journalist Martin Bashir. Bruce hated the segment, stating that Bashir took statements made by the duo out of context, pairing one of Bruce's responses with a different question than he had been asked.^[94]

The trailer for Big Money Rustlas spawned a parody video called "Juggalo News", which achieved popularity on CollegeHumor and Funny or Die, and was praised by Bruce on his Twitter account.^[95] On April 6, 2010, Bang! Pow! Boom! was reissued in a "Nuclear Edition", which featured previously unreleased material and music videos for the songs "In Yo Face" and "Miracles".^[96] During this period, the duo won the Detroit Music Award for Outstanding Hip-Hop Artist/Group.^[97] On April 17, Saturday Night Live aired a sketch which parodied the "Miracles" music video, featuring host Ryan Phillippe and cast member Bobby Moynihan.^[98] Insane Clown Posse responded favorably to the parody, and asked to appear on the show.^[95]

Before the 12th annual Gathering of the Juggalos, Insane Clown Posse were contacted by Jack White, who invited Bruce and Utsler to his mansion because he wanted to collaborate with them.^[99][100] White played the track he was working on, an arrangement of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Leck mich im Arsch" with live instrumentation by JEFF the Brotherhood, for Bruce and Utsler and explained that the title of the track translated to "Lick My Ass".^[99][100] Bruce perceived that the scatological nature of the composition was the reason why White asked Bruce and Utsler to appear on the song, but once White explained Mozart's sense of humor, they became excited to work with White, went back to their hotel room to write their lyrics, and returned to record with White and JEFF the Brotherhood in White's home recording studio.^[99][100] Bruce and Utsler's vocals were recorded in one take.^[100] The song was released as a single on September 13 by White's label Third Man Records, paired with another song, "Mountain Girl", which Bruce describes as his favorite of the two songs recorded with White, and "more ICP's feel".^{[99][100][101]}

Big Money Rustlas was released on August 17, 2010.^[64][82] Insane Clown Posse returned to Europe for a tour.^[102] The group released a three-disc compilation of their guest appearances with other artists called Featuring Freshness in November 2011.^{[102][103][104][105]} The compilation also included new songs with artists Paris, Cold 187um, and Tone Tone.^[103][104]

At the 2011 Detroit Music Awards, Insane Clown Posse received the Distinguished Achievement Award.^[106] In June, Insane Clown Posse issued a cease and desist notice to the Upright Citizens Brigade, threatening legal action over a planned performance, "The Gathering of the Juggalos For A Mother Fucking Baby Funeral".^[107]

2012–2014: The Mighty Death Pop! era and appearance on 1000 Ways To Die

At their 2010 Hallowicked concert, Insane Clown Posse announced that the second new Joker's Card would be The Mighty Death Pop!^[108] The album has two faces, the first of which was revealed at the Hallowicked concert.^[105] The Mighty Death Pop! features appearances from Tech N9ne and Hopsin.^[109][110]

Additionally, the album was released in three variant editions, containing three individual full-length bonus albums.^[109][110] The first variant edition, dubbed the Red Pop edition, contains an album of cover songs entitled Smothered, Covered & Chunked, which features appearances by Psychopathic artists Twiztid, Anybody Killa, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Cold 187um and Boondox, as well as Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst and rapper Lil Wyte.^[109][110] The second variant, the Black Pop edition, contains the album Freaky Tales, consisting of a single, album-length rap, inspired by Too Short's song of the same name.^[109] In October 2012, the group made an appearance on the Spike television series, 1000 Ways To Die, as the horror rock band, Infernal Clown Posse (Episode: Deadliest Kitch). The third variant, the White Pop edition, contains the remix album Mike E. Clark's Extra Pop Emporium, which features remixes, outtakes and leftover songs recorded during the Mighty Death Pop sessions; these tracks include appearances by Kottonmouth Kings,^[109] Three 6 Mafia,^[109] Color Me Badd,^[109] Ice Cube,^[111] Scarface,^[111][112] Geto Boys,^[109] Twiztid,^[109] Kreayshawn,^[109] Swollen Members^[109] and Willie D.^[112] ICP said in their December 21, 2012 Hatchet Herald edition that they would be releasing a sideshow EP for The Mighty Death Pop! in 2013. The EP, titled House Of Wax, was released on November 25, 2014, packaged inside The First Six.

2013–2014: Continued legal troubles

Insane Clown Posse sued the FBI, whose National Gang Intelligence Center listed Juggalos as "a loosely organized hybrid gang" in a 2011 report. The report states that Juggalos are "recognized as a gang in only four states... law enforcement officials in at least 21 states have identified criminal Juggalo sub-sets". The report also noted that New Mexico was seeing a lot of Juggalo gang expansion due to their attraction to "the tribal and cultural traditions of the Native Americans".^[113] The lawsuit asks for the documents that the FBI used to reach this conclusion; in August 2013, federal authorities had "filed a motion to dismiss the case, saying they had already released several news media reports about Juggalos involved in criminal activity". The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan is working with ICP's lawyers in order "to ensure the right of Juggalos everywhere to gather together and express their support of the I.C.P. without having to worry about being unfairly targeted and harassed by law enforcement".^[2] On January 8, 2014, Insane Clown Posse, along with the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, filed suit again against the FBI. The suit aims to have Juggalos no longer considered to be a gang and to have any "criminal intelligence information" about Juggalos destroyed.^[114] ICP announced in the edition of December 21, 2012, of the Hatchet Herald that they will be releasing a sideshow EP to The Mighty Death Pop! in 2013. After no word was heard on the album, it was speculated that it had been scrapped. In mid 2013 it was announced that ICP would be releasing their first ever box set titled The First Six. After the release date came and passed, The First Six was not released. In a February 2014 interview with Faygoluvers, the question was asked if we would be able to get the box set. ICP thought it had already been released. Dog Beats (the first ever release on Psychopathic Records) was set to be the bonus album in the box set, ICP went back and decided to put House of Wax in the box set instead. The First Six was set to be released on October 28, 2014. After a minor setback, was ultimately released on November 25, 2014.

Additionally, Psychopathic Records is pushing back against a former publicist who is suing the label for sexual harassment.^[2] In late 2013 ICP teamed up with Da Mafia 6ix to create The Killjoy Club, and released their debut album Reindeer Games on September 2, 2014. ICP went on "The ShockFest Tour" with Da Mafia 6ix, Mushroomhead, Madchild and Jelly Roll, additionally Big Hoodoo joined the tour to perform before the ticketed acts. To close out the shows on the tour Insane Clown Posse and Da Mafia 6ix performed on stage together as The Killjoy Club, doing only two songs.

2015–2017: The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost/Found era

During their 2014 Hallowicked concert, ICP revealed the 3rd Joker Card in the 2nd Deck of the Dark Carnival saga. The first part of the third card is titled The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost, which was released on Violent J's 43rd birthday, April 28, 2015. The second part of the third card is titled The Marvelous Missing Link: Found, and was originally set to be released during the 2015 Gathering of the Juggalos, July 28, 2015. It was released three days later.

On December 5, 2015, Violent J announced that original member John Kickjazz (Shaggy 2 Dope's older brother) had died on November 20, 2015, at a group home in Michigan.

Young Wicked of the Axe Murder Boyz posted on his personal Instagram account that The Marvelous Missing Link was one of the Insane Clown Posse's best albums ever. He stated specifically that it was going back to the Insane Clown Posse's roots in the era of the first deck of Jokers Cards. Young wicked also made a statement that referenced the idea that he may have some featured spots on one of the albums.

On April 7, 2015, The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost was made available for digital download preorder. Those who preordered on that day received the first single off the album, titled "Vomit". The rest of the album automatically downloaded on the release date, April 28, 2015.

Michigan-based author Steve Miller wrote a book, Juggalo: Insane Clown Posse, Their Fans, and the World They Made; released in 2016 via Da Capo Press, the book details the fandom associated with juggalos and their struggle with the FBI.

In late 2015 2 flyers were released with the Phantom: X-tra Spooky Edition, promoting 2016 solo album releases from Violent J titled, Karma Forest, and Shaggy 2 Dope titled, F.T.F.O.M.F.. On December 10, 2015, it was announced that the sideshow EP for The Marvelous Missing Link albums was released titled Phantom: X-tra Spooky Edition.

In an April 8, 2016 faygoluvers.net interview with Violent J, he stated that Shaggy 2 Dope has been working with Young Wicked, who also produced the album, without asking Violent J for any help this far. After an internal conflict between Young Wicked, Violent J and Jumpsteady, it was rumoured that Young Wicked had left Psychopathic Records but was not made official until December 31, 2016, when it was announced that he had signed to Majik Ninja Entertainment.

In a January 19, 2017 ICP interview with Faygoluvers.net, Violent J stated that Shaggy 2 Dope and DJ Clay were working on the album. The album features Violent J on the song "Foggin' Up the Window" and DJ Clay on the bonus track (only available digitally) "Awww Shit". The album was released on May 26, 2017, and charted on the Billboard 200 at No. 72, Independent at No. 1, R&B/Hip-Hop at No. 39, Top Album Sales at No. 18 and Artist 100 at No. 96.

2017–2019: Fearless Fred Fury era

On April 13, 2017, Violent J announced the development of the 4th Joker Card in the 2nd Deck was ongoing.^[115]

On September 16, 2017, an estimated 1,500 Juggalos gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial to organize a concert and all-day rally in protest of their gang classification, and "class-based discrimination by law enforcement".^[116][117]

On June 22, 2018, ICP began posting live updates during the recording sessions for their album, which was to be named Fearless Fred Fury.^[118] It was originally announced for release on October 26, 2018, slated to release alongside a companion EP titled Flip The Rat.^[119] However, the release date was pushed back to February 15, 2019, which was eventually honored as the release of both Fearless Fred Fury and Flip The Rat.^[120][121]

2020–2023: Yum Yum Bedlam era

On October 5, 2020, during ICP's House Party Peep Show live stream, the 5th Joker Card, entitled Yum Yum Bedlam was revealed, with a Christmas 2020 release date.^[122] During the live steam, the existence of three companion EPs was also confirmed for the album release cycle.^[122] After missing their original release date, an additional EP, Yum Yum's Lure, was released preceding the album on February 17, 2021.^[123][124] The album released on Halloween, 2021.^[125] The album's three companion EPs, entitled Wicked Vic the Weed, Pug Ugly the Stink Bud, and Woh the Weepin Weirdo, were all released in 2022.^[126][127]

2024–present: Second 6th Joker Card era

On April 24, 2024, Violent J revealed that previous long-time collaborator Mike E. Clark would be returning to produce the 6th Joker's Card of the 2nd Deck.^[128]