Twiztid

Twiztid
Origin Detroit, Michigan
Genres Hip hop, Rap Rock, Horrorcore
Years active 1997–present
Labels Psychopathic Records (1997–2012),
Independent 2012–2014,
Majik Ninja Entertainment 2014–present
Associated acts Insane Clown Posse, House of Krazees, Psychopathic Rydas, Dark Lotus, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Tech N9ne, Boondox, Anybody Killa, Prozak, R.O.C., Krizz Kaliko, Zodiac MPrint, Samhein Witch Killaz
Website www.twiztid.com
Members Jamie Madrox
Monoxide

Twiztid is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan. Formed in 1997, Twiztid is composed of Jamie Spaniolo and Paul Methric, who perform under the respective personas of Jamie Madrox and Monoxide. Spaniolo and Methric are former members of the group House of Krazees, which disbanded in 1997 a year after Jamie and Paul left.

Twiztid performs a style of hardcore hip hop and have released eleven studio albums, nine EPs, seven compilations, and one mixtape.

Biography

Origins (1993–1997)

Prior to Twiztid, Jamie Spaniolo and Paul Methric were members of the hip hop trio House of Krazees, under the names Mr. Bones and Hektic, along with the third member, the R.O.C.[1] The group released five albums before disbanding in 1997.[2] After the split, Methric and Spaniolo sent a demo tape to Insane Clown Posse member Joseph Bruce (Violent J) featuring their friend Blaze Ya Dead Homie, under the name ISI (International Superstars Incorporated). The demo contained the tracks "2nd Hand Smoke," "Diemuthafuckadie," and "How Does It Feel?"[2] Bruce was extremely impressed, invited Methric and Spaniolo to perform on 'The House of Horrors Tour', and signed them to Psychopathic Records. Before the tour kicked off, Bruce, Methric and Spaniolo decided on a name that they felt would better fit the duo—"Twiztid".[2]

Mostasteless (1997–1999)

Twiztid's 1997 debut album, Mostasteless, was originally released independently by Psychopathic.[3] When Insane Clown Posse signed with Island Records, they helped get a deal for Twiztid as well.[4] In 1999, Mostasteless was pulled, and re-released on Island with somewhat different track listing.[4] That track listing included brand new songs, but left out tracks such as "Murder Murder Murder" and "She Ain't Afraid" because of uncleared samples.[4] In his review of the reissued album, Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that "[Although] the thought of a group of Insane Clown Posse protégés isn't exactly inspiring", the album "may take you by surprise...Mostasteless actually works better than most ICP records," that "Twiztid often is more convincing than [its] Dark Carnival colleagues," and concluded that "if you don't buy into the whole comic book-horror schtick, Mostasteless...will be irritating, but if you've bought into it, you'll enjoy this record as much, if not more, than most ICP albums."[5] Mostasteless peaked at #8 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart, and #149 on the Billboard 200.[6]

Freek Show, Mirror Mirror EP, and The Green Book (2000–2004)

On October 31, 2000, Twiztid released their second studio album, Freek Show. In his review of the album, Allmusic's Brad Mills wrote that "this kind of music appeals to a small sector of hip-hop listeners and will probably do well within [its] niche market, but the average hip-hop listener will just have to understand that this is a different kind of album."[7] The album peaked at #51 on the Billboard 200.[6] Twiztid released compilation albums, Cryptic Collectionand Cryptic Collection Vol. 2 on November 13, 2000 and October 22, 2001, respectively, featuring rare songs, outtakes, and b-sides much akin to ICP's Forgotten Freshness compilations. On April 8, 2002, Twiztid released their first extended play, Mirror Mirror. Allmusic reviewer Bradley Torreano praised the EP, writing that "Despite the fact that few outside of the juggalo family will give this a chance, this might be one of the most accurate portrayals of the mood of most unhappy young people in 2002".[8] Mirror Mirror peaked at number 5 on the Top Independent Albums chart, and number 103 on the Billboard 200.[6] On May 19, 2003, Twiztid and their second EP titled 4 Tha Fam. On July 1, 2003, Twiztid released their third studio album, The Green Book. Spaniolo has referred to the album as a "Juggalo favorite".[9] Allmusic reviewer Rob Theakston panned the album, writing that it "is much, much better than the last ICP card record, but looking at the forest from the trees, that really isn't saying much anymore."[10] The Green Book peaked at number 2 on the Top Independent Charts and number 52 on the Billboard 200.[6] Twiztid released their third compilation album, Cryptic Collection Vol. 3, on May 18, 2004.

Man's Myth and Mutant (2005–2006)

On June 28, 2005, Twiztid released their fourth and fifth studio albums, Man's Myth (Vol. 1), the first half of a double album concluding with Mutant (Vol. 2), released the following month.[11] Man's Myth focuses on the angst of growing up in a lying world, while Mutant deals with the outcome of this upbringing.[11] Allmusic reviewer David Jeffries praised Man's Myth, writing that "it reaches farther outside the suburban trash world of Psychopathic Records than anything the label has released previously. Twiztid keep growing lyrically too and the album is edited tightly with little filler."[11] Man's Myth peaked at #4 on the Top Independent Albums chart, #62 on the Top Internet Albums chart and the Billboard 200.[6] Mutant peaked at #11 on the Top Independent Albums chart, #80 on the Billboard 200, and #215 on the Top Internet Albums chart.[6]

Independent's Day, W.I.C.K.E.D., and Heartbroken And Homicidal (2007–2011)

On July 4, 2007, Twiztid released their sixth studio album, Independents Day. The album featured guest appearances from rappers signed to independent record labels, such as The Dayton Family, Tha Dogg Pound, Hed PE frontman Jared Gomes, Tech N9ne and Krizz Kaliko. It also notably features appearances by D12 members Proof and Bizarre. One of the groups members, Eminem, had feuded with Insane Clown Posse.[12] The album peaked at #4 on the Top Independent Albums chart, #9 on the Top Rap Albums chart and #57 on the Billboard 200.[6] In September 2007, the group's Toxic Terror Tour was cancelled after Methric suffered a torn Anterior cruciate ligament following a car accident, but the tour was booked again in early 2008.[13] Twiztid released, Toxic Terror, a companion EP to Independent's Day.

On March 17, 2009, Twiztid released their seventh studio album, W.I.C.K.E.D. (Wish I Could Kill Every Day).[14] W.I.C.K.E.D was Twiztid's highest charting album, peaking at #11 on the Billboard 200, #4 on the Top Rap Albums chart, and #1 on the Top Independent Albums chart.[6] During their "End Of Days Tour" to promote W.I.C.K.E.D. they released End Of Days the companion EP to W.I.C.K.E.D..

Twiztid released their eighth studio album, Heartbroken & Homicidal on September 21, 2010.[15] Twiztid released Cryptic Collection Vol. 4 on September 13, 2011 and A Cutthroat Christmas EP in December 2011.

Abominationz, departure from Psychopathic Records, and Independent Releases (2012-2014)

On October 22, 2012 Twiztid released their ninth studio album Abominationz to critical acclaim. It featured Insane Clown Posse, and Royce Da 5'9. There are two versions of Abominationz, the Madrox version and the Monoxide version, each containing a different bonus track. On the Monoxide version, the bonus track featured Krizz Kaliko and Glasses Malone. On December 12, 2012 the group announced via Twitter and Facebook that they have parted ways with Psychopathic Records.

Twiztid released their first independent EP titled A New Nightmare on July 30, 2013. The album features Blaze Ya Dead Homie, The R.O.C., Anybody Killa and many others. Twiztid released a mixtape titled For Tha Fam Vol. 2 and their second independent EP titled Get Twiztid on March 27, 2014 and April 15, 2014, respectively.

Formation of Majik Ninja Entertainment and The Darkness (2014-2015)

On February 7, 2014, at the Days of Dead convention Twiztid held a seminar and announced that they have started their own label. No name was given, but they said the label had already signed some artists with only one being announced; Blaze Ya Dead Homie. They said that they are wanting to give artists a chance, like they were given, that may not have had that opportunity. In April 2014, Twiztid announced on their Twitter account that they had signed a distribution deal with InGrooves. According to Monoxide, "There will be no more EP's after 'Get Twiztid'". After only a few shows into Twiztid's "The Bootleg Banner Tour", the remaining shows were cancelled. Reasons for the cancellations are unknown, but it has been widely speculated that Twiztid cancelled the remaining dates to record the Dark Lotus album The Mud, Water, Air, And Blood. On September 12, 2014 InGrooves released its upcoming releases for the month of October, and it was announced that Twiztid's new record label is called Majik Ninja Entertainment and the first release will be Blaze Ya Dead Homie's release Gang Rags: Reborn on October 21, 2014. The R.O.C. is also on the label, as well as helping run the label.

On January 27, Twiztid released their tenth studion album, The Darkness, the group's first release on their own record label. Twiztid toured extensively for the new album, offering VIP packages which gave fans a chance to meet Twiztid. The VIP package often included a "Tour Exclusive" single. Twiztid's official periscope page announced that they would not tour in the United States, but only in Canada in 2016, aside from their regular annual shows (GOTJ, Fright Fest etc.) to focus on albums, movies, and other things with the label. In an interview with Huffington Post, Monoxide teased that both Tech N9ne and Krizz Kaliko would appear on their next album on a track titled "Set The World On Fire". Monoxide also expressed interest in working with metal acts Five Finger Death Punch and Avenged Sevenfold.

The Continuous Evilution Of Life's ?'s (2016)

During Twiztid's "Canadian Juggalo Invasion Tour" the group's VIP package featured a tour exclusive single title "Psychomania" taken from Twiztid's eleventh studio album revealed to be titled The Continuous Evilution Of Life's ?'s

Style and influences

Twiztid's performance style is often described as horrorcore.[16] According to Spaniolo, "Think of it as if there was a Halloween or Friday the 13th on wax and Jason and Michael Myers could actually rap, this is what their vibe would sound like."[17] Spaniolo has cited Kiss as an influence.[9] While Man's Myth featured a hip hop-oriented sound, Mutant featured a rock oriented sound.[9] According to Spaniolo, "I've always wanted to do a Rock album and to date that was the closest thing to it we have ever done, so it holds a special place in my heart."[9]

Discography

Main article: Twiztid discography

Monoxide

Jamie Madrox

Filmography

References

  1. ↑ Bruce, Joseph; Hobey Echlin (August 2003). "Banned by a Filthy Rat". In Nathan Fostey. ICP: Behind the Paint (2nd ed.). Royal Oak, Michigan: Psychopathic Records. pp. 307–308. ISBN 0-9741846-0-8.
  2. 1 2 3 Bruce 2003. p. 358–360.
  3. ↑ Bruce 2003. p. 375.
  4. 1 2 3 Bruce 2003. p. 562–563 (Complete Discography).
  5. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Review of Mostasteless". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Charts and awards for Twiztid". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
  7. ↑ Mills, Brad. "Review of Freek Show". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  8. ↑ Torreano, Bradley. "Review of Mirror Mirror". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Brain Hammer (March 19, 2009). "Interview with Jamie Madrox of TWIZTID!!!". Horroryearbook. Retrieved 2009-03-30.
  10. ↑ Theakston, Rob. "Review of The Green Book". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-03-30.
  11. 1 2 3 Jeffries, David. "Review of Man's Myth, Vol. 1". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
  12. ↑ Jeffries, David. "Review of Independents Day". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
  13. ↑ Staff (September 27, 2007). "Mary J. Blige Deals With Growing Pains; Plus Kanye West, Amy Winehouse, Travis Barker, Paul Wall & More, In For The Record". MTV News. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
  14. ↑ Huey, Steve. "Biography of Twiztid". AllMusic. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
  15. ↑ "Twiztid Talk Heartbroken & Homicidal". Hatchet Herald (Psychopathic Records) 13 (10). July 2, 2010. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  16. ↑ "Rappers Twiztid bring 'horrorcore' to Cotillion, in concert". The Wichita Eagle. September 30, 2005. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
  17. ↑ Zahn, James (March 20, 2009). "Talking horror & music with Jamie Madrox of TWIZTID". Fangoria. Retrieved 2009-03-23.

External links

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