The Insane Clown Posse discusses their two-decade-old feud with Eminem.
Eminem and the Insane Clown Posse (ICP) have been at odds since 1995. Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope are the two members of ICP (Joseph Ulster). Everything began in 1995 when Eminem was passing out fliers for a party at which he was performing. “Appearance from ICP…maybe,” according to the flyer. Violent J was not pleased with this, telling Eminem to Violent J was not pleased with this, telling Eminem to “f**k off”.
Rappers Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope are among the most well-known members of CP’s lineup (originally 2 Dope; Joseph Utsler). Insane Clown Posse is recognised for its grandiose live performances and darkly humorous theatrical horror-inspired songs.
Eminem has beef with other rappers also. Click here to know more.
When Eminem originally released his Slim Shady EP in 1995, he was having a record party and handing out flyers to random individuals when he noticed Violent J of ICP and handed him a flier. According to Violent J, it said, “Special appearances: ICP (maybe), Esham (perhaps).”
Eminem also made fun of ICP throughout D12’s first album Devil’s Night, and later that year, he pulled a pistol on ICP’s road manager Douglas Dail. Furthermore, during a concert on the Up in Smoke Tour, Eminem mocked ICP by bringing out two blowup dolls with ICP face paint. ICP replied to this occurrence several times in the late 2000s, with songs such as “Please Don’t Hate Me.”
Insane Clown Posse, often abbreviated as ICP, recently sat down with Spin for a new interview where the Detroit duo of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope talks about the COVID Era, wokeness, staying hungry three decades deep, and much more. Insane Clown Posse also talked about their infamous beef with Eminem, which happened two decades ago. They called the beef ‘Hip-Hop History‘, which was squashed when the late Proof invited the Psychopathic Records team for a friendly bowling match of ICP vs D12 (Won by D12).
“I don’t regret it because it was hip-hop history in [Detroit],” says Violent J. “But it meant so much to us when Proof squashed the beef. He came to the office, laid down a verse for [Twiztid], and gave us a shout-out. It was dope. We didn’t ask him, ‘Does Eminem know you’re here?’ because it didn’t matter. Proof coming down was enough.”
Bruce accompanied Myzery to St. Andrew’s Hall in late 1997. Eminem, who was then an obscure local rapper, approached Bruce and, according to Bruce, handed him a flier promoting the Slim Shady EP release party. According to the flier, “Esham, Kid Rock, and ICP (maybe) will make appearances.” Bruce questioned Eminem’s decision to publicise a probable Insane Clown Posse attendance without first contacting the group.
They also revealed that they skipped Proof’s funeral even though they wanted to go because they didn’t want to take a chance on upsetting Eminem.
They were asked if would they ever invite Eminem to play the Gathering. “Oh, man. I’d invite Eminem to come to have dinner at my house.” Violent J says. “But he’s selling out stadiums all over the world, he doesn’t really need the Gathering. But we’d love to do a song with him. That’d be dope.” So what do you think, Who won? Eminem or ICP?.
So the Clowns are in good shape. Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope are still Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope, only a little older and a lot wiser than when they were furious young guys just starting out with this awful shi*e.
“The trick is after 30 years in the game, the people who watch us in this industry are saying ‘Man, they’re still doing it with this sh*t,’” says Violent J. “’They’re still doing things nobody else is doing.’”
“We were going to perform in my living room, dog!” roars J, still angry about the f**king pandemic. “Now that don’t sound like s**t right now, but imagine before the pandemic ICP doing a real concert with staging, lights, sound, everything from my living room. Streaming!”
ICP had some of their most audacious plans prior to the epidemic since their 1990s heyday. They organised a string of one-night-only performances throughout the globe, with a coin collection at each performance. Those who gathered every penny received a photo ID card designating them as a “ultra-live monster Juggalo,” giving them entry to ICP performances early and a lifetime discount on items.
In an interview in the mid-90s, Violent J revealed Eminem told the Detroit Free Press: “ICP isn’t real. They’re a mockery. They’re not even rap.” “We were like, ‘F–k this kid,'” Violent J responded. Then Eminem dissed ICP on “Drastic Measures” in 1997: “ICP is overrated / And hated for the false identity created.”
Check out the full interview here on Spin.
