DJ Clay | |
---|---|
Birth name | Michael Velasquez |
Born | January 4, 1984 |
Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
Genres | Hip hop |
Occupation(s) | Producer, rapper, disc jockey |
Years active | 1997–present |
Labels | Armed Robbery Entertainment (2019-present) |
Michael Velasquez (born January 4, 1984), better known by his stage name DJ Clay, is an American record producer, rapper and disc jockey from Detroit, Michigan. [1] He was signed to Psychopathic Records, but is now on his own label, Armed Robbery Entertainment. As of 2010, Velasquez has sold over 200,000 units. [2]
While DJing in Southwest Detroit, starting at the age of 13, he started making a name by age 16, by 17 Michael Velasquez performed at several events hosted by Psychopathic Records, including Big Balla X-Mas Party events, Juggalo Championship Wrestling events, charity events, and the release party for Twiztid’s album Man's Myth . [2] In 2006, he was asked by Shaggy 2 Dope to DJ for him on his national "F.T.F.O." tour. [1] [2] [3] After the tour, Velasquez was approached by Insane Clown Posse to DJ all of their tours exclusively . Velasquez was signed by Psychopathic Records in 2007 and began producing songs for several of the label's releases. [1] [2] [3]
At the 2007 Gathering of the Juggalos music festival, it was announced that Velasquez had been signed to Psychopathic Records and their subsidiary label Hatchet House. [1] [3] [4] The following year, it was announced that Velasquez would be releasing a series of mixtapes titled Let 'Em Bleed that would feature artists on Psychopathic Records, Hatchet House and other labels. [2] [4] After releasing four volumes, Velasquez announced in 2010 that he would be releasing a new series of mixtapes titled Book of the Wicked. [2] [5] On June 4, 2013, DJ Clay released a new mixtape titled A World Upside Down. [6]
DJ Clay appeared at the Juggalo March On Washington. [7] In August 2018, it was announced that DJ Clay would be working on a collaboration EP with Danny Diablo. In September 2018, DJ Clay took to social media to announce a "black out" meaning he would be stepping away from social media to work on his new album with Psychopathic and would not return to social media until it was complete.
Velasquez cites Insane Clown Posse, DJ Q-bert, Mix Master Mike, DMX, Korn, Michael Jackson and The Beatles among his influences. [3]
He was featured on the Bloodstepp track "Underground MVP" which also featured Big Hoodoo, Axe Murder Boyz, Spice 1, KidCrusher, Syn and Mike Puwal of Zug Izland from the album Grand Theft UFO: Floppy Disk Edition released in 2014.
Psychopathic Rydas was an American hip hop group based in Detroit, Michigan. Formed in 1999 as a side project of Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid, the group consisted of Psychopathic Records-associated rappers performing under alternate stage names in the style of gangsta rap. Violent J, Shaggy 2 Dope, Jamie Madrox, Monoxide Child, and Blaze Ya Dead Homie were the only consistent members of the group throughout their entire existence.
Psychopathic Records is an American independent record label headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The label is most associated with the hip-hop music subgenres horrorcore and rap rock. The label was founded in 1991 by Alex Abbiss and hip hop group Insane Clown Posse. The iconography of a man with a meat cleaver has been used for years as a symbol of the group, its fanbase, and its associates.
James Clemmie Lowery, also known as Anybody Killa, or ABK, is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan, United States, whose stage persona is that of a Native American warrior. He was signed to Psychopathic Records, but is now under his own label Native World Inc. Prior to performing as ABK he performed as Native Funk.
Zug Izland is an American hard rock band from Detroit, Michigan, United States. The group sometimes refers to its fans as "zuggalos".
Juggalo Championship Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion founded in 1999 by Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, better known as the hip-hop duo Insane Clown Posse. JCW currently runs shows throughout the country. The video games Backyard Wrestling: Don't Try This at Home and Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood feature numerous independent wrestlers from the promotion.
Joseph William Utsler, known by his stage name Shaggy 2 Dope, is an American rapper, record producer, DJ, podcast host, and professional wrestler. He is part of the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. He is the co-founder of the record label Psychopathic Records, with fellow Insane Clown Posse rapper Violent J and their former manager, Alex Abbiss. Along with Bruce, Utsler is the co-founder of the professional wrestling promotion Juggalo Championship Wrestling, where he currently acts as color commentator.
The Gathering of the Juggalos is an annual music festival put on by Psychopathic Records, featuring performances by the entire label roster as well as numerous well-known musical groups and underground artists. It was founded by Jumpsteady, Insane Clown Posse, and their label in 2000. Described by Joseph Bruce as a "Juggalo Woodstock", the Gathering of the Juggalos spans five days and includes concerts, wrestling, games, contests, autograph sessions, karaoke, and seminars with artists. Over its first eleven events (2000–2010), the festival drew a total attendance upward of 100,000 fans.
Mostasteless is the debut album by American hip hop duo Twiztid, released on August 4, 1998, by Psychopathic Records. The album was reissued in 1999 with distribution by Island Records and a drastically altered track listing, with tracks added and removed.
Hatchet House is the sub-label of independent record label Psychopathic Records, based in Royal Oak, Michigan in the United States, which was formed in 2007 by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse.
Axe Murder Boyz are an American hip hop duo from Denver, Colorado, United States, best known as representatives of the horrorcore and gangsta rap subgenres. It consists of brothers Mike and James Garcia, who perform under the names Bonez Dubb and Young Wicked, respectively. Their rap personae is loosely based on characters in the 2000 Bill Paxton horror movie Frailty, a film about two young brothers forced to become "demon Slayers" and participate in the brutal killings of evil creatures from hell living here on earth who look like normal people.
Let 'Em Bleed: The Mixxtape, Vol. 1 is a mixtape by DJ Clay. Released in 2008, it is the first installment of a four cd series of mixtapes which contain brand new and remixed songs from artists from the Psychopathic Records and Hatchet House roster.
Let 'Em Bleed: The Mixxtape, Vol. 2 is a mixtape by DJ Clay. Released in 2008, it is the second installment of a four-part series of mixtapes which contain brand new and remixed songs from artists from the Psychopathic Records and Hatchet House roster. This volume also features a solo song by Bizarre of D12, an artist not signed to Psychopathic Records or Hatchet House. A third volume was released on November 11, 2008.
Insane Clown Posse, often abbreviated as ICP, is an American hip hop duo. Formed in Detroit in 1989, ICP's best-known lineup consists of rappers Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore and is known for its elaborate live performances. The duo has earned two platinum and five gold albums. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the entire catalog of the group had sold 6.5 million units in the United States and Canada as of April 2007. The group has established a dedicated following called Juggalos numbering in the "tens of thousands".
Book of the Wicked, Chapter One is a mixtape by DJ Clay. Released in 2010, it is the first installment of a series of mixtapes which contain brand new and remixed songs from artists from the Psychopathic Records and Hatchet House roster. The second chapter was released on December 7, 2010.
Hatchet House is an American independent subsidiary record label of Psychopathic Records based in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Created in 2007, the label specializes in hip hop music. Since its foundation, the label has featured 7 artists and bands from the United States, predominantly around Detroit, Michigan.
Robert Bruce is an American retired rapper and professional wrestler who would go on to become a Don for Psychopathic Records.
The discography of Joseph Bruce, an American rapper better known by his hip hop persona of the wicked clown Violent J, consists of one studio album, one single, and three extended plays. Music videos and collaborations are also included, as are film and television appearances, home video releases, and literary releases. In addition to his solo career, Bruce has also been involved with seven hip hop groups; JJ Boys (1988–1989), Inner City Posse (1989–1991), Insane Clown Posse (1991–present), Golden Goldies (1995), Dark Lotus (1998–2017), Psychopathic Rydas (1999–2017), Soopa Villainz (2002–2005) and The Killjoy Club (2013–2016).
Axe Murder Boyz, consisting of brothers Mike and James Garcia, who perform under the names Bonez Dubb and Otis, has released four studio albums. They have been signed to Axe Recordings (1999–2004), Canonize Productions (2004–present), Psychopathic Records, Hatchet House (2008–2011) and Majik Ninja Entertainment (2016–present).
Nene Encarnacion, also known as Myzery, is a Puerto Rican rapper based out of the Bronx in New York City. He was the first solo act signed with Psychopathic Records, and released his debut EP titled Para La Isla on the label in 1998. Following his departure from Psychopathic Records, Myzery continued to release albums independently. He later returned to Psychopathic Records to release 2018's The Demon Angel.
The Garcia Brothers is the fourth studio album by American hip hop duo Axe Murder Boyz. It was released on March 25, 2014 under their own label Canonize Productions in conjunction with Psychopathic Records. This would be their second and final release with Psychopathic, as they would depart the label for a second time in 2017 and sign with Majik Ninja Entertainment