Twiztid
Twiztid | |
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File:Madrox and Monoxide.jpg | |
Background information | |
Origin | Detroit, Michigan |
Genres | Hip hop, horrorcore, rap rock |
Years active | 1997–present |
Labels | Psychopathic, Independent |
Members | Jamie Madrox Monoxide Child |
Website | www |
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 Child. Spaniolo and Methric are former members of the group House of Krazees, which disbanded in 1997.
Twiztid performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore, and have released nine studio albums, nine EPs, seven compilations, and one mixxtape. Twiztid signed to Psychopathic Records in 1997, and left the label December 12, 2012.
Biography
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. 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 fit the duo—"Twiztid".[2] 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] After a show in Indianapolis, Twiztid's tour bus stopped at a Waffle House in Greenfield, Indiana. Spaniolo and Joseph Bruce became involved in an altercation with a customer causing a fight to break out between the lone customer and all of the bands' members.[5] Months later on June 4, 1998, Twiztid were charged with battery.[6]
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."[7] Mostasteless peaked at #8 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart, and #149 on the Billboard 200.[8]
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."[9] The album peaked at #51 on the Billboard 200.[8] In 2002, Twiztid released the 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".[10] Mirror Mirror peaked at #5 on the Top Independent Albums chart, and #103 on the Billboard 200.[8] In 2003, Twiztid released its third studio album, The Green Book. Spaniolo has referred to the album as a "Juggalo favorite".[11] 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."[12] The Green Book peaked at #2 on the Top Independent Charts and #52 on the Billboard 200.[8]
On June 28, 2005, Twiztid released its fourth studio album, Man's Myth (Vol. 1), the first half of a double album concluding with Mutant (Vol. 2), released the following month.[13] Man's Myth focuses on the angst of growing up in a lying world, while Mutant deals with the outcome of this upbringing.[13] 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."[13] Man's Myth peaked at #4 on the Top Independent Albums chart, #62 on the Top Internet Albums chart and the Billboard 200.[8] Mutant peaked at #11 on the Top Independent Albums chart, #80 on the Billboard 200, and #215 on the Top Internet Albums chart.[8]
On July 4, 2007, Twiztid released its 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.[14] The album peaked at #4 on the Top Independent Albums chart, #9 on the Top Rap Albums chart and #57 on the Billboard 200.[8] 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.[15]
On March 17, 2009, Twiztid released its seventh studio album, W.I.C.K.E.D. (Wish I Could Kill Every Day).[16] 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.[8]
Twiztid's ninth studio album, "Heartbroken & Homicidal," was released on September 21, 2010.[17]
On October 22, 2012 Twiztid released their tenth studio album Abominationz. It featured The 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 October 25, 2012 Juggalo News interviewed Jamie and Monoxide. In the interview, a question was asked about the possibility of either of them releasing more solo albums. Monoxide stated that his solo album is in the works.
On December 12, 2012 the group announced via Twitter and Facebook that they have parted ways with Psychopathic Records.
They then did 3 legs of the Abominationz tour and Their first independent EP titled A New Nightmare was released on July 30, 2013. Music videos for the tracks The Deep End and Down with us was released on their official YouTube channel.
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 has been given yet, they also said the label has already signed some artists, with the only one being announced, Blaze Ya Dead Homie.
Twiztid is set to release their second album since leaving Psychopathic Records, a free mixtape titled "For Tha Fam vol.2" on March 27, 2014. Their third release since leaving Psychopathic Records is an EP titled "Get Twiztid" which is set to be released on Twiztid Shop and The Bootleg Banner Tour on April 15, 2014. In April 2014 Twiztid announced on their Twitter account that they have signed a distribution deal with InGrooves. According to Monoxide Child "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 said that Twiztid was experiencing vocal issues, but Twiztid has not said anything, as reported by faygoluvers.net.
Style and influences
Twiztid's performance style is often described as horrorcore.[18] 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."[19] Spaniolo has cited Kiss as an influence.[11] While Man's Myth featured a hip hop-oriented sound, Mutant featured a rock oriented sound.[11] 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."[11]
Discography
Studio Albums
- Mostasteless (1997)
- Freek Show (2000)
- The Green Book (2003)
- Man's Myth (2005)
- Mutant (2005)
- Independents Day (2007)
- W.I.C.K.E.D. (2009)
- Heartbroken & Homicidal (2010)
- Abominationz (2012)
EP's
- Mirror Mirror EP (2002)
- Fright Fest '03 EP (2003)
- 4 Tha Fam EP (2005)
- Fright Fest '05 EP (2005)
- Toxic Terror EP (2008)
- End of Days EP (2009)
- A Cutthroat Christmas EP (2011)
- A New Nightmare EP (2013)
- Get Twiztid EP (2014)
Compilations
- Cryptic Collection Vol. 1 (2000)
- Cryptic Collection Vol. 2 (2001)
- Cryptic Collection Vol. 3 (2004)
- Cryptic Collection: Halloween Edition (2006)
- Cryptic Collection: Holiday Edition (2009)
- Cryptic Collection Vol. 4 (2011)
- Kronik Collection (2012)
Mixxtapes
- For Tha Fam Vol.2 (2014)
Filmography
- Big Money Hustlas (1999)
- Born Twiztid (2000)
- The Purple Show (2003)
- Psychopathic: The Videos (2007)
- Hatchet Attacks: Live From Red Rocks (2008)
- A Family Underground (2009)
- Big Money Rustlas (2010)
- American Psychos Tour Documentary (2012)
- Over/Under [TV Movie, "Pilot" episode] (2013)
- The Official Twiztid Tour Documentary: The Long and Crooked Road (2013)
References
- ^ Bruce, Joseph; Hobey Echlin (August 2003). "Banned by a Filthy Rat". In Nathan Fostey (ed.). ICP: Behind the Paint (2nd Edition ed.). Royal Oak, Michigan: Psychopathic Records. pp. 307–308. ISBN 0-9741846-0-8.
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has extra text (help) - ^ a b c Bruce 2003. p. 358–360.
- ^ Bruce 2003. p. 375.
- ^ a b c Bruce 2003. p. 562–563 (Complete Discography).
- ^ Bruce 2003. p. 353–365 (chapter "Life on the Road").
- ^ Bendersky, Ari (June 11, 1998). "Insane Clown Posse Plead Guilty". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 12, 2008. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
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suggested) (help) - ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Review of Mostasteless". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Charts and awards for Twiztid". Billboard. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
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: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=
(help) - ^ Mills, Brad. "Review of Freek Show". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
- ^ Torreano, Bradley. "Review of Mirror Mirror". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
- ^ a b c d Brain Hammer (March 19, 2009). "Interview with Jamie Madrox of TWIZTID!!!". Horroryearbook. Retrieved 2009-03-30.
- ^ Theakston, Rob. "Review of The Green Book". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-03-30.
- ^ a b c Jeffries, David. "Review of Man's Myth, Vol. 1". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
- ^ Jeffries, David. "Review of Independents Day". Allmusic. Retrieved 2008-08-22.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Huey, Steve. "Biography of Twiztid". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-04-01.
- ^ "Twiztid Talk Heartbroken & Homicidal". Hatchet Herald. 13 (10). Psychopathic Records. July 2, 2010. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
- ^ "Rappers Twiztid bring 'horrorcore' to Cotillion, in concert". The Wichita Eagle. September 30, 2005. Retrieved 28 February 2009.
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(help) - ^ Zahn, James (March 20, 2009). "Talking horror & music with Jamie Madrox of TWIZTID". Fangoria. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
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