Devil's Night is a name associated with October 30, the night before Halloween. It is related to the "Mischief Night" practiced in parts of the United States such as Philadelphia, but is chiefly associated with the serious vandalism and arson seen in Detroit, Michigan, from the 1970s to the 1990s, finally prompting the "Angels' Night" community response.
D12, an initialism for The Dirty Dozen, was an American hip hop group from Detroit, Michigan. D12 has had chart-topping albums in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. D12 was formed in 1996, and achieved mainstream success after Eminem rose to international fame. The original lineup consisted of the members and their alter egos; this is where Eminem's Slim Shady persona originated. D12 released the album Devil's Night in 2001 and D12 World in 2004, spawning numerous hits such as "Fight Music", "Purple Pills", "My Band", "How Come" and "Shit on You" throughout that period. Since 2006, Eminem's hiatus and the death of Proof resulted in them being less active in subsequent years. On August 31, 2018, Eminem released a song titled "Stepping Stone" on his tenth studio album Kamikaze announcing that D12 has officially disbanded.
Carnival of Carnage is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, released on October 18, 1992, by Psychopathic Records.
Horrorcore is a subgenre of hip hop music based on horror-themed and often darkly transgressive lyrical content and imagery. Its origins derived from certain hardcore hip hop and gangsta rap artists, such as the Geto Boys, which began to incorporate supernatural, occult, or psychological horror themes into their lyrics and, unlike most gangsta-rap artists, pushed the violent content and imagery in its lyrics beyond the realm of realistic urban violence to the point where the violent lyrics became gruesome, ghoulish, unsettling, or slasher film- or splatter film-esque. While exaggerated violence and the supernatural are common in horrorcore, the genre also frequently presents more realistic yet still disturbing portrayals of mental illness and drug abuse. The term "horrorcore" was popularized by openly horror-influenced hip hop groups such as Flatlinerz and Gravediggaz.
KKKill the Fetus is the third studio album by Esham. Released in 1993, the album's lyrics focus on subjects such as abortion and murder. The album, which has been cited as an iconic horrorcore album, has been praised for its genre-defining production and lyrics. It is considered to be Esham's critical breakthrough, compared to lackluster reviews of his previous albums. The single "Sunshine" received very heavy radio play nationally. The music video for "HeltersKKKelter" was featured on an episode of Yo! MTV Raps in 1994, and was given out at Rock of Ages in rare VHS form during the promotional launch.
Boomin' Words from Hell is the debut album of Esham. It was first released in 1989, and was reissued the following year.
Closed Casket is the fourth studio album by Esham, released on November 22, 1994, and distributed by Reel Life Productions/Warlock Records.
A-1 Yola is the tenth studio album by Esham. Released in 2005, it was the first hip hop album to be released with a DVD containing music video for each song. A-1 Yola is the final of three albums by the rapper on Psychopathic Records, following Repentance and the compilation Acid Rain.
Soopa Villainz is an American hip hop supergroup based in Detroit, Michigan. Formed in 2002, the group consisted of Psychopathic Records-associated rappers Joseph Bruce, Joseph Utsler, Esham, and Lavel. The songs of Soopa Villainz center thematically on nefarious actions conducted by comic book supervillains. The group disbanded in 2005 after Esham and Lavel left the label. After ICP announced at its 2016 GOTJ seminar that the group would be reuniting for 2017, the next day Esham announced that he wanted nothing to do with ICP or Psychopathic again. During ICP's performance on July 21, 2018 a banner showing the groups logo was unfurled, teasing the return of the group. There has been no information about the speculated return since that day.
Midwest hip hop is a regional genre of hip hop music performed by artists from the Midwestern United States. In contrast with its East Coast, West Coast and Southern counterparts, Midwest hip hop has very few constants in style or production.
Natas is an American hip hop group from Detroit, Michigan. Their last studio album "N of tha World" was released in 2006 through Warlock/Sony Red. In 2009, they released the mixtape "The Vatican". Currently original members Esham and Mastamind are recording a reunion album according to Mastamind's official Facebook account.
Godlike is the seventh studio album by American hip hop group Natas from Detroit, Michigan. It was released on May 21, 2002 via Number 6 Records, making it the group's first album to be released on a label other than Reel Life Productions, and their only release on Number 6 Records. Production was handled solely by Esham. The album peaked at #56 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, #35 on the Independent Albums chart, and #45 on the Heatseekers Albums chart.
WicketWorldWide.COM is the sixth album by Natas. Released in 1999, it is the group's last release on Reel Life Productions until 2006's N of tha World. WicketWorldWide.com is credited as one of the greatest hip hop albums of 1999 by XXL magazine.
The Butcher Shop is the first mixtape presented by rapper Esham. Released in 2008, the album contains tracks from Detroit rappers such as Big Herk, L.A.R.S., Insane Clown Posse, Royce da 5'9" and Trick Trick. The album also features the entirety of Esham's extended play Lamb Chopz, previously released as a digital download on October 30, 2007. The Butcher Shop peaked at #86 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Reel Life Productions, also known as Gothom Records, is an independent record label based in Detroit, Michigan that specializes in hip hop music. The label was founded in 1988 by James H. Smith and his younger brother, rapper Esham. Since its formation, RLP had released much of Esham's discography, and had been home to a number of other artists, including Natas, Dice, Mastamind, T-N-T, Kool Keith and The Dayton Family.
Judgement Day is Esham's second studio album, released April 9, 1992. On June 6, 2006, a Judgement Day box set was issued, containing both original volumes and previously unreleased material.
Harpos Concert Theatre is a music venue located at 14238 Harper Avenue, Detroit, Michigan. It is known as a venue for Heavy Metal and Industrial Rock.
Insane Clown Posse, often abbreviated as ICP, is an American hip hop duo composed of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. 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. The duo has earned two platinum and five gold albums. According to Nielsen SoundScan, the entire catalog of the group has 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".
Brian Harmon, better known by his stage name Champtown, is an American rapper, disc jockey, film director and teacher from Detroit, Michigan. Founder of the Straight Jacket independent record label, Champtown is known for helping establish the careers of a number of Detroit hip hop artists, including Kid Rock. He has also worked with Ice-T, Rev Run, Public Enemy and Uncle Kracker. He is currently producing a documentary film, The Untold Story of Detroit Hip Hop, which will be narrated by Chuck D and feature interviews with notable Detroit rappers.
