Soopa Villainz | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Detroit, Michigan |
Genres | Hip hop |
Years active | 2002–2005; 2018–present |
Labels | Psychopathic Records |
Members | Mr. Diamond (2002–2005; 2018–present) Mr. Club (2002–2005; 2018–present) Mr. Spade (2002–2005; 2018–present) |
Past members | Mr. Heart (Lavel) (2002–2005) |
Soopa Villainz is an American hip hop supergroup based in Detroit, Michigan. Formed in 2002, the group consists of Joseph Bruce (Mr. Diamond), Joseph Utsler (Mr. Club) and Esham (Mr. Spade). Lavel (Mr. Heart) was later added to the lineup, but left during the group's hiatus. Since 2018, the group has reverted to its original lineup. The songs of Soopa Villainz center thematically on nefarious actions conducted by comic book supervillains. The group went on hiatus in 2005. ICP announced at its 2016 GOTJ seminar that the group would be reuniting for 2017. During ICP's performance on July 21, 2018 a banner showing the groups logo was unfurled, teasing the return of the group.
Soopa Villainz made their on stage return at the 20th annual "Soopa" Gathering of the Juggalos in Springville, Indiana on August 2, 2019.
The group made their debut appearances in 2002 on Esham's Acid Rain and Insane Clown Posse's The Wraith: Shangri-La . [1] [2] Later that year, the group released the Halloween single "Silence of the Hams." [3] In 2005, they released their debut album Furious . [4] The album peaked at number 9 on the Billboard "Top Independent Albums" chart, number 42 on the "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums" chart, and number 92 on the Billboard 200. [5] [6]
Following a disagreement with the label, Esham and Lavel left Psychopathic Records in October, effectively disbanding the Soopa Villainz. [7]
During the ICP 2016 GOTJ on July 22, 2016 it was announced that at the GOTJ 2017 there may be a Soopa Villainz reunion. [8] The next day on July 24, 2016 Esham announced via social media that he will not be performing at another GOTJ again, stating "I will not follow in someone else's shadow". [9]
During Insane Clown Posse's 2018 GOTJ seminar, Violent J said that the 2019 GOTJ would be themed The Soopa Gathering in honor of it being the 20th Annual, but few understood what he was alluding to. During ICP's Saturday night performance, they brought out Esham for a song, and then revealed that indeed Soopa Villainz have reunited and will indeed release a new album and will be at the 2019 GOTJ.
On September 18, 2019, it was announced that The Villainz would be performing on Devil's Night in Detroit, MI, at the El Club, just 24 hours before ICP's annual Hallowicked Show.
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Singles
A juggalo is a fan of the hip hop group Insane Clown Posse or any other hip hop group signed to Psychopathic Records. Juggalos have developed their own idioms, slang, and characteristics. The Gathering of the Juggalos, alternatively known as just "The Gathering", is a notable annual festival held by juggalos and the artists that they support, which have included rap stars such as Busta Rhymes, Ice Cube, and MC Hammer; over its first eleven events (2000–2010), the festival drew a total attendance of about 107,500 fans, averaging nearly 9,800 per year, with a peak of 20,000 in 2010.
Carnival of Carnage is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, released on October 18, 1992, by Psychopathic Records.
The Wraith: Hell's Pit is the ninth studio album by the American hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. It was released on August 31, 2004 via Psychopathic Records as a follow-up to 2002 The Wraith: Shangri-La and the second half of the sixth and final Joker Card in the first Deck of the Dark Carnival mythology. Recording sessions took place at the Lotus Pod in Detroit. Production was handled by ICP themselves.
Dark Lotus was an American hip hop group based in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Formed in 1998 as a side project of Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid, Dark Lotus was a representative of the horrorcore subgenre. From 1998 to 2017, Dark Lotus' lineup changed multiple times, with the most consistent members of the group being Violent J, Shaggy 2 Dope, Jamie Madrox, Monoxide and Blaze Ya Dead Homie.
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.
Esham Attica Smith, known mononymously as Esham, is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. Emerging as one of the first ever hip hop artists from Detroit, Esham released his debut studio album, Boomin' Words from Hell, in 1989 at the age of 16. Since then, he has gone on to release 21 studio albums in total and is best known as a representative of the hip hop subgenre horrorcore. In 1992, he co-founded the horrorcore group Natas. He and his brother James Smith founded and ran the Detroit hip hop label Reel Life Productions.
Joseph Frank Bruce, known by his stage name Violent J, is an American rapper, record producer, professional wrestler, actor, and part of the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse (ICP). He is a co-founder of the record label Psychopathic Records, with fellow ICP rapper Shaggy 2 Dope and their former manager, Alex Abbiss. Also along with Utsler, Bruce is the co-founder of the professional wrestling promotion Juggalo Championship Wrestling.
Joseph William Utsler, known by his stage name Shaggy 2 Dope, is an American rapper, record producer 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.
Furious is the only studio album by American hip hop supergroup Soopa Villainz. It was released on August 16, 2005 via Psychopathic Records. Production was handled by Soopa Villainz themselves except for the song "Pussy", which was produced by Polar Bear. The album debuted at number 92 on the Billboard 200, number 42 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 8 on the Top Internet Albums in the United States. The entire full-length is a concept album based upon a story of the 4 members coming from another planet to take over the world.
The Calm is the eleventh extended play by American hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. It was released on May 17, 2005 via Psychopathic Records. Recording sessions took place at the Lotus Pod in Detroit. Production was handled entirely by ICP themselves. It features the lone guest appearance from Esham. The EP peaked at number 32 on the Billboard 200, number five on the Top Rap Albums and topped the Independent Albums in the United States.
The discography of Insane Clown Posse, an American hip hop duo from Delray, Detroit, composed of Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler, who perform under the respective personas of the wicked clowns Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, consists of sixteen studio albums, eighty-four singles, nineteen extended plays and nineteen compilations. Music videos and collaborations are also included, as are film and television appearances and home video releases.
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".
Psychopathic Records is an American independent record label based in Farmington Hills, Michigan that specializes in hip hop music. Owned by Insane Clown Posse members Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler, the label was founded by the group and their manager Alex Abbiss in 1991. Then known as Inner City Posse, the group released the label's first album, Dog Beats, that year. Since its foundation, the label has featured 23 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).
The Mud, Water, Air & Blood is the fourth and final studio album by Dark Lotus. The album was released on July 29, 2014.
Reindeer Games is the debut album by the Killjoy Club, a hip hop supergroup consisting of Insane Clown Posse and Da Mafia 6ix. The album was released by Psychopathic Records on September 2, 2014.
Slaughter is the debut solo studio album by American rapper and record producer Young Wicked of Axe Murder Boyz. It was released on September 4, 2015 via Psychopathic Records. It features guest appearances from Anybody Killa, Bonez Dubb and JellyRoll. The album peaked at #37 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at #23 on the Heatseekers Albums in the United States.
Fearless Fred Fury is the fifteenth studio album by American hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse, and their fourth Joker Card in the second Deck of the Dark Carnival Saga. Originally planned for release simultaneously with their twelve-track extended play titled Flip the Rat on October 26, 2018 via Psychopathic Records, it was delayed until February 15, 2019.