Legendary hip hop group Insane Clown Posse were formed in Detroit in 1989, and its best-known members are Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope (originally 2 Dope; Joseph Utsler). The ICP is well-known for its high-energy live shows and darkly humorous songs that draw inspiration from theatre and horror films. Their two platinum and five gold albums have been certified by the Recording Industry Association of America. It has been estimated that the group’s complete catalog in the United States and Canada had sold 6.5 million units as of April 2007. Juggalos, the name given to the band’s devoted fans, are said to number in the tens of thousands.

The group, formerly known as JJ Boyz and Inner City Posse, began using spooky and horror-themed songs to differentiate themselves aesthetically. The two formed Psychopathic Records with manager Alex Abbiss and went on to create and appear in the feature films Big Money Hustlas and Big Money Rustlas. Juggalo Championship Wrestling is its own professional wrestling company, and they’ve cooperated with a number of hip hop and rock performers.

Music by Insane Clown Posse is based on the Dark Carnival mythology, which depicts an afterlife in which the lives of those who have passed away are judged by a triad of supernatural beings. It is via a collection of short stories called Joker’s Cards that the Dark Carnival comes to life, each of which serves as a warning to the audience to alter their bad ways before “the end consumes us all.”