Twiztid

Twiztid is a hardcore hip hop/horrorcore rap group from Eastpointe, Michigan, formed in 1997. They are currently signed to Psychopathic Records. The group consists of Jamie Madrox and Monoxide. Since their 1998 debut, the group has gone on to become the most popular group on the record label just under Insane Clown Posse themselves, and has a loyal following of juggalos of their own.

Biography

Early history (1992 - 1997)

The members of what would become Twiztid, Jamie Madrox and Monoxide, were originally part of a rap group known as House of Krazees. The members consisted of Mr. Bones (Madrox), Hektic, and The R.O.C.. The group formed in 1992 and released their first album Home Sweet Home in 1993. The group became a well-known horrorcore group in the underground music scene, and a rival group of Insane Clown Posse.

The group released their next two albums, Home Bound and Season Of The Pumpkin in 1994. The latter of the two would go on to become the group's best known work. This was followed by Outbreed in 1995, and Head Trauma in 1996. During this time, Mr. Bones also released two solo albums - The Demon Inside and Sacrifice.

House of Krazees finally split in 1997 due to contract differences. Mr. Bones and Hektic went on to become Jamie Madrox and Monoxide of Twiztid, and joined Psychopathic Records that same year.

Mostasteless era (1997 - 1999)

Twiztid released their debut album, Mostasteless in the local Detroit area in 1998. Shortly after being released the album had to be pulled due to a contract dead with Island Records. Insane Clown Posse had signed on, and decided to take Twiztid with them.The album was re-released on Island Records nationally in 1999. This version contained several new songs, but lacked some of the songs featured on the original version. Mostasteless contains all of Twiztid's classic songs, such as "2nd Hand Smoke", "Diemuthafuckadie", "Renditions of Reality", and "Rock The Dead", which went on to become the groups first single.

Mostasteless has been certified gold.

Freek Show era (2000 - 2002)

In 2000, the group released Cryptic Collection, a collection of un-released and rare tracks not found anywhere else.

Twiztid released their second album, Freek Show, on October 31, 2000, the same day as Insane Clown Posse released their Bizaar/Bizzar albums. Freek Show became the group's breakthrough album, giving the group their first taste of chart success, and proving the group could do well on their own. The album has become Twiztid's best known work, containig several of Twiztid's best songs, including "Leave Me Alone", " Maniac Killa", "Diffrent", "I'm Alright", and their most popular song - "We Don't Die".

Freek Show has also gone on to be certified gold.

The group released an EP titled Mirror Mirror in 2002. The album recieved little promotion and is the group's only studio EP. Mirror Mirror has gone to become Twiztid's darkest album to date. The group also released another Cryptic Collection album featuring all the Mostasteless tracks not found on the 1999 re-release.

The Green Book era (2003 - 2004)

The Green Book hit shelves in 2003. The album was notably darker than previous albums and introduced a change in sound for the group, who described the album as a more personal work. The album contained the hit songs "Afraid of Me", "Hydro", and "Wondering Why". Twiztid's appearance changed for The Green Book. Jamie Madrox now had bright green contacts, and bright green hair. Monoxide had virtually no makeup on whatsoever. Netiher wore any white facepaint. From this point on, Twiztid's appearance would change to concide the release of every new album.

In 2004, Twiztid released their third Cryptic Collection album. It is notable for containing a remake of Steve Miller's "Joker".

Man's Myth / Mutant era (2005 - 2006)

In the summer of 2005, Twiztid dropped two albums - Man's Myth Vol. 1 and Mutant Vol. 2, both released around a month apart from each other. Man's Myth was more or less Twiztid's normal rap sound, and contained the hit songs "Karma", "Story Of Our Lives", and "So High". Mutant was the more experimental of the two, including a more rock and roll style. The album also contained some hits, such as "Familiar" and "Respirator". Both albums came packaged with a bonus DVD. The Man's Myth DVD contained footage from the group's live performance at The Gathering of the Juggalos 2004, and commentary by Jamie and Paul about their discography so far. The Mutant DVD contained the music video for "Story of Our Lives", the behind the scenes making of the video, and the sixth episode of The Purple Show.

In 2006, Jamie Madrox released his first solo album, since Mr. Bones, entitled "Phatso". An alternate version of the album, entitled "Phatso: Earth 2 Version" was released a week after the original for a limited time. The album contained remixes of some of the original songs, with several new ones as well.

Independence Day era (2007 - present)

January 5 2007, Twiztid has announced that their new album "Independent's Day" will be released July 3 2007. In regards to the album, each track will contain a guest, including Tech N9ne, the late Proof and Bizarre of D12, E-40, Too Short, Master P, Hed PE, ICP and the entire Hatchet Family. Interesting to see that Proof and Bizarre are on a Psychopathic Records album with Twiztid considering their ties to Eminem in D12. Jamie Madrox stated at the 2006 Juggalo Gathering that Proof approached the ICP camp to squash the beef. Proof attended the 2005 Hallowicked show (annual Halloween show held by ICP) in Detroit to officially end it. And just for kicks, the D12 camp (minus Eminem) and Psychopathic Records crew ended the beef for good in a bowling match, with each team winning one game.

Currently, twiztid has began a Myspace Profile, which is currently under construction, but features a new look in the face paint area of the duo's persona.

Discography

For House of Krazees, Twiztid, Dark Lotus, Psychopathic Rydas and Samhein Witch Killaz.

House of Krazees

• Menace West Side Windy Point 1993
• Homebound (1994)
• Mr.Bones: The Demon Inside (1994)
• Season Of The Pumpkin (1995)
• Outbreed (1995)
• Mr.Bones: Sacrifice (1995)
• Head Trauma (1996)
• Collector's Edition '97: Remix and Rewind (1997)
• The Night They Kame Home (1999)
• Season Of The Pumpkin: Local Version Re Issue(2004)

Twiztid

• Mostasteless (Local Version) (1998)
• Mostasteless (National Version) (1999)(Gold)
• Cryptic Collection (2000)
• Freek Show (2000)
• Cryptic Collection Vol. 2 (2001)
• Mirror Mirror EP (2002)
• The Green BookGold (2003)
• Cryptic Collection Vol. 3 (2004)
• Man's Myth Vol. 1(2005)
• Mutant Vol. 2 (2005)
• Independent's Day (2007)

Dark Lotus

• Tales From The Lotus Pod (2001)
• Tales From The Lotus Pod Revisited (2002)
• Black Rain (2004)

Psychopathic Rydas

• Dumpin' (1999)
• Ryden Dirtay (2001)
• Check Yo Shit In Bitch! (2004)

Samhein Witch Killaz

• SWK:Nosferatu (Single) (2002)
• Bloodletting (2007)

Singles

• Rock The Dead (1999)
• We Don't Die (2000)
• Afraid Of Me (2003)
• Darkness (2003)
• Story Of Our Lives (2005)

Internet and Concert Albums

• 4 Tha Fam EP (2003)
• Fright Fest 2003 EP (2003)
• Fright Fest 2005 EP (2005)
• Cryptic Collection Vol. 4 Halloween Edition (2006)

Internet and Concert Singles

• Wrong With Me (2001)
• A Very Twiztid Christmas (2001)
• Green Pumpkinz (2002)
• SWK:Nosferatu (2002)
• Christmas In The Hood (2003)
• Murder City Christmas (w/ICP) (2005)
• Necks (2006)

Filmography

• Big Money Hustlas (1999)
• Born Twiztid: Behind The Freekshow (2001)
• The Purple Show (2003)
• The Purple Show 2 (2007)
• Big Money Rustlas*Pre-Production*(2008) - Recently was cancelled by Psychopathic Records.

External links and references

• The Dark Carnival
• Twiztid official site
• Psychopathic Records official site (portal)
• Behind the Paint, Violent J with Hobey Echlin. ISBN 978-0345447623/ISBN 978-0974184609
• Twiztid at the All Music Guide
• Twiztid on MTV.com