Thursday, December 13, 2012

Twiztid leaves Psychopathic Records

So we found out today that Twiztid has officially left Psychopathic Records.  The reason why is unknown at this time.  When I heard the news I was not totally surprised yet completely shocked.  I don't know how it is for you guys but for me I had always assumed that ICP would retire and turn the reigns of the company over to Jaime and Paul.  Now I really don't know what to think.

A few years ago I saw a shift at Psychopathic Records.  Alex retired and Billy was tasked to take over.  Since this time I have noticed several things change with the label and the way "business" is being done.  While Alex was in charge the focus was on Family.  Meaning that the ticket prices for shows, merch, the Gathering, etc were all kept at a relatively reasonable cost so more Juggalos could afford to take part in these live events.  Examples of taking care of the Family are:

-$100 to go to the Gathering.  Reasonable cost includes campsite and free swag.

-All albums had 1 version.  Any added tracks would be a free giveaway with your order or made into another complete album and sold for cheap.

-Outside venues artists would occasionally hang our with the fans.  No $100 VIP which didn't include a ticket for the show necessary.

-Merch at Hatchetgear was expensive but not as expensive as now.

Since Billy has taken over we have seen a shift away from Family and the focus move toward profit.  Examples of this include:

-The Gathering now costs $150+ depending on if you want a good campsite or not.  Swag bag is tiny and includes ads for albums coming out and a charm, that's it!

-When ICP releases an album they make at least 3 versions with the only difference being 1 or 2 tracks added to the end.  They know the fans will buy all 3 and are just taking advantage of that fact.

-No more hanging out for free.  Now you pay $100 for an hour of time and that price does not include a ticket for the show.  You might get to hang out for an hour but be lucky to even meet any artist based on how many people show up.

-Hatchetgear is now a luxury item.  No longer can a scrub save up for a few months and get a dope jersey, now it's like saving a months rent to get anything.  And on top of that the quality has greatly declined.

You might be asking why I am bringing this up, well I firmly believe these changes have led to Twiztid leaving Psychopathic Records.  They have always been more concerned with the fans than any artist on the label.  They have always taken time out to sign autographs, tell jokes, and general be a face for the company.  It was said to me not long ago "To even talk to Violent J is like talking to a mob boss.  No one gets close to him unless he calls em."  That really made me start to listen to what was being said by former artists, friends of artists, and other who have dealt with Psychopathic Records.  The theme of the opinions were all similar:

Joe Bruce micro-manages everything and nothing get done, recorded, etc without his approval.

Joe Bruce is an asshole and tough to deal with.

Now I have no direct knowledge of this but if a majority of people who deal with the label have the same opinion something must be true in it.  I have always liked ICP and their music but felt they were making Twiztid play second fiddle.  Take Abominationz vs Mighty Death Pop.  TMDP had a single, music video, and tons and tons of promo material months before the release.  Abominationz had a few small promos, word of mouth and Twiztid self promoting.  I firmly believe that Abominationz was the superior album by far and deserved more promotion and a much bigger tour set up.  The same thing happened with W.I.C.K.E.D. Twiztid years ago became the better of the two groups and showed that the student has surpassed the master.  Why then would ICP not take a back seat and let Twiztid shine?  I can only guess Ego.  They have to be the biggest and most promoted group, in their eyes.  Twiztid has earned this opportunity to shine.

So when the news came out today I sat for an hour thinking about how I feel.  Here is what I decided:

-Twiztid deserves a chance to shine and be more heavily promoted.

-If ICP and Psychopathic do nothing to change the course, they will be closing their doors within 5 years.  They just lost one of the biggest money making groups.  The other side is that Twiztid makes up a huge part of Dark Lotus and Psychopathic Rydas and those two groups can no longer exist either.

-Blaze will surely follow Twiztid's lead.  They are long time homies and I fully expect Blaze will leave the hatchet as well.

-I will support both Twiztid and Psychopathic records.  They both hold a special place in my life and I will not choose sides.

-The shape of the underground has shifted and I am excited to see what is to come.

Family I don't know what side you fall on, but I would hope you show support for both groups.  They have both done a lot to earn and keep our respects.  Lets not let this event shatter our Family.  We all need to stand tall in the face of whatever is coming and bond together.  I will wear the hatchet til the day I die with pride.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

32 comments:

  1. I think the same as you: Blaze maybe gonna leave too, the inequal promotion between MDP and Abominationz. I think this IS one of the reasons why Twiztid leaves Psy. ICP did big ass promotion for MDP and i still don't know why. In my opinion the Dark Carnival spirit is absent in this record.
    Twiztid still reppin the Fam today, much more than ICP. I remember recently that they wanted to do much more better for the VIP stuff, they tweeted about it last month http://www.twitlonger.com/show/k5s9b9
    They said the same kind of speech for the Kaos & Kronik tour...
    Maybe Psy will loose some values without Twiztid and this "fiasco" about the recent signed artists. No more V-Ice or Dayton Fam news for a while, and how about Hatchet House? There are lots of blurred stuff happening

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  2. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I am glad I am not alone in these thoughts. I know Twiztid will be successful no matter what and I am looking forward to seeing what they are planning. Thanks again for taking the time!

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    1. ya welcome homie! I always read but don't comment much :s

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    2. FO SHO!!! I love both!!!! But i can only assume Jay is a jerk considering all that i have heard from my friends. But twizted kills it... LOVE THEM! I hate to say i like one or the other more cuz i have MAD LOVE for them both... but in my opinion Twizted has definately one upped them quite a few times... annnnnnnd maybe Violent Jay realizes this and has an issue with it...Being one of the great creaters of juggalos. But i am still wondering... are Twizted going to have to put down the Hatchet? I sure as fuck hope not. I feel bad for Blaze...He is like the child in a divorcing family. Lol seriously he is.

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  3. Ever since I can remember it's been juggalo all day. Up until yeah Billy taking over. I no longer go to gathering after six straight years. The real juggalo lifestyle doesn't mean or stand for the thing it does to is old school ninjahs. Call me crazy but listen to "unstoppable " I told all my homies it was I diss the icp or at least j. Really listen. Also song 15 ldlhamibcsywa (how ever it's spelled). They are talking directlly me and how I feel. Its not about a girl. Much love!

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    1. LDLHA-IBCSYWA (Love Don't Live Here Anymore, Its Been Cold Since You Went Away) Ands i believe this song could've been about Alex retiring and billy taking over.

      Now for my rant,
      I came in as a young lo relating to some songs by icp, but it was always Twiztid that kept me in, and i was always let down with the lack of promotion for twiztid always. Like look at the music video count. I understand icp is the start, but how is the start going to claim equality for all juggalos.....and never share that light??? Sadly i stopped claiming the title of a lo these past few years, and its looking like twiztid and blaze have aswell, and possibly abk? (wtf) Icp has fallen off of the map, i haven't bought a single album since the calm (which blew dick) yet i own every twiztid album and could never pick a favorite. Wherever Twiztid ends up, i will follow and i hope they completely overtake the underground and trump over psycopathic, not out of spite, but to prove a valid point, which is they are way further ahead than icp could ever reach for at this point, and that they should've passed the torch on proudly. well i'm out. if anyone would like to have a discussion drop me a line wicknazty@gmail.com

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  4. yo homie, this is the first time i've ever came across your blog but let me tell you, you get hella deep and factual, and i can appreciate that. i totally agree with you about how Twiztid leaving Psy is a major blow to the record label. I'm still searching for the reason why they actually left and if you were to ask me my opinion, well in my opinion, Twiztid has been better than I.C.P. for a while now, not dissing the clowns but it seems like after the 6th Joker Card, they lost there magical touch as songwriters and producers, and with Twiztid leaving, im willing to bet my left nut that Blaze is gone too, but that's speaking metaphorically, not literally, and you also brought up a good point about Dark Lotus and Psychopathic Rydas, with the dynamic duo known as Twiztid out of the label, that leaves those 2 super groups lost without a leader so to speak, but i will support Twiztid and Psychopathic equally until one of them gives me a reason that goes against the family values that they've been preaching together for the longest time, and at that time, i will choose 1 group to follow and forget about the other one, but much love fam, keep up the good journalism homie.
    M.M.F.W.C.L. to ya homie,
    Matt "StR33t" B.
    Las Vicious Klick//702
    www.reverbnation.com/lasviciousklick

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    1. Thanks for checking out my blog. Like I said I am excited to see where this goes. Thanks homie!

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  5. Yeah there's a lot to all this guys, trust me... I've been behind the velvet for years don't worry it'll all come out soon....

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  6. Gonna stay down with both forever..but everyone knows Twiztid has more talent than icp and J couldn't stand it so I'm sure he was treating then like shit...but whatever Twiztid gonna do big things and maybe psychopathic will change back to the family love label instead of the trying to go mainstream label....whoop whoop

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    1. RIGHT!!! Thats what i was sayin... Greed and Jealousy are a BIIIIIIIITCH. He cant handle or take them stepping it up and getting more love... but if he turns into a hater then hes gonna lose his fan base... yeah the classics will be classics and always banged/loved but from all i've read he is Hatin hard core... which as we all know gets you nowhere. At the same time i will not choose whos better completely buuuuuuut i'm sure the skeletons are bout to fall out of the closet and we will find out wtf happened... cuz Twizted has been talking about it for a few years now... Subtly but for sure. If they wanna grow then they cant do it with jay being all jealous and holding them back...which i'm sure is what is happening. Why else would they leave? Shiiiiit icp should be happy... No... WE DONT DIE! But they are past their prime and they got families they dont/wont do this shit forever... Jay needs to quit being jealous of their growth and expansion...theres ALWAYS gonna be somebody better... Just cuz you make it dont mean it cant be broken. I think that may just have happened. I'm kinda nervous for whats to come... but again i still have MAD LOVE for both! Lol and another again... Poor blaze... he's like the child in the middle of a parents divorce! I dont see him leaving twizted... and I HOPE sooooooo much that Twizted doesnt have to put down the hatchet. Ughhhhh please NOOOOOO!!!! Kristina Bean

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  7. This is all speculation regarding anything aside from unequal promotions that makes sense. its ok to say I don't know too though

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  8. Ya know ninjas and ninjettes, these r surely sad times boondox leavin was hard enough now the thought of psychopathic completely dissolving is just like watching my parents split again and watching as my lovely juggalette took. my mini ninja and ninjette and walked out the door it's completely fucked up and hard to deal with but i won't choose sides nor will i hate on anyone still much family love and clown luv fo' sho'

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  9. Man feel same all the way i will run with twiztid and the hatchet as long as twiztid never flips on the fam. I beleve they can both can be side by side and all us ninjas and ninjettes still rain supream to all these punk motha fucka fuckin up the world. but who knows maybe the family will one day be reunited and itll be like the good old days were family was all that mattered. Maybe psychopathic will wise up and offer the artist we love the deals they deserve. But the litle amount of promtion for there new album was such BULLSHIT i didnt even know about it i bought MDP on a little ass peice of paper. Now inbetween ICP and twiztid i could never pick they both played such a role in my life and helped me through alot of shit. but no matter what you always godda rember, WE WILL NEVER DIE ALONE! JUGGALOS WILL CARRY ON! SWING ARE HATCHETS IF WE MUST! EACH AND EVERYONE OF US!WHOOP!!WHOOP!! JUGGALO 4 LIFE , NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON THE HATCHET

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  10. I'm still in shock about Twiztid going their own way but I believe your right. MDP was insanely promoted and Abominationz was almost off the radar. Been a big fan of ICP since before Twiztid came on board but I think this was a huge screw up on J's part. Both albums shoulda been pushed like mad and to be honest I think Abominationz was the better of the two albums. I honestly think that this was a deciding factor in them leaving. However we shall see when Twiztid finally comes out and says exactly why they left. It surprises me they've waited this long to say something. Dont take what I say as me taking sides here either. I am stayin' neutral in this. I like both and will continue to listen to Psy and Twistid for as long as they put out wickid music. Now as for Blaze leavin'; well I honestly think it's gonna be a good posibility. He's been a good friend of Twiztid for a long ass time and I think you may see him follow them to where ever Twiztid will call home. To be honest about the whole $$ thing. I'm a broke ass ninja who's gettin married soon and have never been able to afford to go to a gathering or see any of em live. Kinda hard for me livin in The Great White North. However I do see your point; I've bought mech from Hatchetgear a while back (and I do mean a while) this would be when they first sold the Hatchetman pendants. Had that muthafacko for years and never took it off till it broke off and was about 3 years ago. Now I see the prices have really jumped in the store and concert ticket sales as well as the gathering too. Shit gotta change or they're really gonna be hurtin. Things gotta go back the way they used to be.

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    1. Thanks for checking out my blog from the Great White North! I also wanted to thank you for your comments. It is always nice to know people care and take enough time to give me some feedback. If the fans start to fade man I can promise things will change. Keep it wicked fam!

      Juggalotus!

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  11. Man fuk all this bla bla bla juggalo fa life i love ICP An TWIZTED an o will never say a bad word about none of them twizted will always be fam there all like brothers ther will never be nothin to break that bond as far as j bein an asshole hes earned his right to do watever he wants just like twizted to hear all this hater shit about icp an j is bs u already took sides by trin to bash j whoop whoop to my real rydas juggalos will never DIE

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    1. Thanks for checking out the blog homie! As for me bashing J, well I love ICP for their music but hate the way the business is being done. No sides chosen here man. I will support ICP and PSychopathic but would be remise not to speak my mind on how things are getting done. Nothing but Family love Homie!!

      MMFWFL,

      Juggalotus

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  12. Your shit's all fucked up homie. Yes Billy Bill was fuckin up when it came to promotion but that is NOT ICP's fault at all. BILLY BILL is in charge, not Violent J. And ICP are going to do whatever betters their Families, their CHILDREN. Alex Abyss left Psychopathic BECAUSE he wanted to make music for other people then Juggalos. And as far as albums go, you can't compare The Mighty Death Pop! to Abominationz. ICP & Twiztid have always had their own different styles of rapping. And NOBODY is telling people to go out and buy all 3 versions of the album. ICP sya it strait up, "if you have to go oout and STEAL our shit. We don't give a fuck." Plus Twiztid came out with 3 different versions of Wicked and 2 different versions of Abominationz. And if it's hard to get to J I understand, people fucking HATE ICP someone could disguise themself as a Juggalo and then do some serious damage when they're close to'em. After a show ICP are worn the fuck out. I meen shit they just did the whole Riddlebox album live, they LOSE money on The Gathering every year, and they're growing as artists and Juggalos hate them for it. THERE ARE JUGGALOS THAT HATE ICP. WHAT THE FUCK TIME ARE WE LIVING IN? And if anything Twiztid is splitting the Fam apart by starting all this "Twiztid Family" shit. And all these "Old School Juggalos" on the internet need to get the fuck over themselves and need to relise that ICP has been doin the same stuff for over 20 years, they want to evolve as Musicians. And NO ONE is willing to let them do that. Everyones blaming J for Twiztid leaving, it's not his fucking fault. Twiztid even said it themselves, "we have to keep on telling the big heads of the label that we're not ICP. But we should still be able to release our album on a date of our choice." Their beef is with Billy Bill, not ICP.

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  13. I do agree most if not all of the bad decisions have been since Billy took over. But if you think ICP gave up the lionshare of the control you would be mistaken. J and Shaggs have say and influence on decisions being made, I know from reliable sources.That being said I do not agree old school Los and Lettes need to get over themselves, everyone is entitled to their own opinion weather or not you or I agree with it. I appreciate you reading and sharing your opinion though.

    MMFWFL,

    Juggalotus

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  14. And ICP always say "WE NEED JUGGALOS TO BE IN OUR NEW VIDEO! COME TO THIS BUILDING TO BE IN THE VIDEO" then they give out some address in Detroit. So idk how people say ICP are dick heads and compare talkin to them like "mob bosses" Juggalo speculations are the fuckin worst. Becuae they ruin the image of the people who started all of this shit. ICP. But i've always been more of a Fan of Twiztid. I just connected with their music ALITTLE bit more.

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  15. I feel you on this. I was in the homies video back in the day. But other artists have told me directly that trying to talk with J is like trying to get to the Godfather. ICP is not dickheads to the fans because they are not idiots, they know who pays the bills. As for this blog, well I love ICP's music but not the business practices of late. Sure back in thr day we had multiple versions of albums, but in limited quantities, which made them collectors items. Now the multiple versions are simply made to make more money knowing most fans will buy all of them regardless. That is my issue not that multiple versions exist. Thanks for giving your thought!

    MMFWFL,

    Juggalotus

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  16. Also, what happened to keepin' it scrubby? What happen to doing for the family, not the money, the fame or the popularity, they started this because. They are like us, "we be rejected". If not in life but in the industry, but at the end of the day stay still were. And your right abot billy taking over. Year back at my first gathering I too only paid $100 to go but year later when I save up to go again, its OUTRAGOUS!!!!!! Also, if they are "so called" keppin' it underground, why my mind being blowed to read through a Source Magazine and what do I see, ICP promoting theirTMDP album. THE FUCKING SOURCE. For those reading and don't know, the Source Magazine is a "MIANSTREAM" YEAH,I. Said a "MAINSTEAM" Nationally known magazine that talks about the mainstreem hip-hop artist and what's going on in the hip-hop industry. But to see them promote their shit their, I think they crossed the line. And this goes to me saying I'm not mad if this was the legitament reason for why Twiztid left psycho. I remeber icp promoting their MDP album way before it came out to a point I was getting sick and tired of hearing about it. I heard rumor long before twiztid starting promoting their album that they were about to come out with another album, but its funny, I didn't see, nor hear any legit info about til weeks before it came out and from their facebook. 2 of the original Jugaalos in the industry, the reason for dark lotus, and psychopathic ryders. If we are "FAMILY" And we are suspose to be down with each other till we dead in the ground, why is everything FALLING APART?????No disrespect tO ICP I got MMWCL for them, would be where I was today because of them, but at the same time, I think they are really forgetting where they came from and their root. Twiztid on the other hand DIDN'T!!!!!!!!!!!! Listen the the Abominationz album, the to main track that are the key note to their decision for leaving I believe, "Unstoppable" and "LDLHA-IBCSWA". They themselve don't know who they are anymore, what they and where they are. They tire of being held back and they're fed up with it.
    All in all, I am never going to put the hatchet down FOR NOTHING!!!!! LOVE THEM ALL TO DEATH!!!! They're my family, and I don't turn my back on fam, especialyl to all my homies. Twiztid is at their prime, and ICP lost it after the sixth joker card, I feel ICP should be more saticfide, for what they accomplish and time to pass the axe. The one thing some one said on here that I agree with the most which I hope doesn't, but if it does I can't wait to see where it goes, but I'm hoping BLAZE doesn't leave as well. Ride with sense I could ever remeber and in situations like these, people tend to play, "Follow The Leader". Wish the best for both of them and off of MMWCL and hope the bond between icp Twiztid and the rest of the "Stay tight like skinny jeans" till all are dead in the ground!!!!!!!!!

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    1. Much love family. I appreciate your checking out the blog and leaving me such in depth comments!

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  17. the last ICP CD i bought was jeckel bros. cause that last joker album (idk the name) i felt was lame and couldn't get a feel for it. TWIZTID is a different matter altogether - been a fan ever since i heard a bit of H.o.K. and became a diehard the moment MOSTASTELESS came out. met TWIZTID , BLAZE , A.B.K. at the FREAKSHOW tour in Columbus OHIO 2001 and they were as dope as i expected ( still got the ticket stub that they autographed :D )

    i met ICP first time @ a store signing for the first lotus album and i didn't feel the luv from J at all...SHAGGY was aight but J gave me the impression i shoulda f'd off...heh

    all that useless BS aside , the album quality and freshness has IMO always been in TWIZTID's court ya known...FREAKSHOW was the true start of their ascension into PSYCOPATHIC's #1 $$$ makers...TWIZTID can make it on their own , ICP cannot IMO.


    PSYCOPATHIC is now PSYCOPATHETIC - word

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  18. Okay I just listened to the twiztid ablum. I lovve it. They have a different flow. Its more free. I listen to mdp and I feel the spirit and engery is straight up gone. Theres nothing in it, to create a song about a wrestler killing his wife kids abd himself to me is straight up disrespectful I hated mdp. On the flip side I loooved abominationz it was the one of there best ablums ive heard from them. Ive lost all respect for icp since alex left. I predict that major issues will form and they'll be forced to get alex back orrr close. I dont want it to happen but if they need a wake up call then so be it, maybe icp is reading this and saying damn we betrayed the fam for money but I doubt it. On conclusion I say this. Joe Bruce, joey ustler, you remember dark lotus song DOTCOM you thanked all the fam ninjas and juggalos that created websites to spread the dark carnival. That song was heartfelt it was pure and loving to the fam. Think back to that how happy everybody was to hear you take the time to thank them. You two need to lock urselves in the lotus pod and listen to that for as long as it takes to remember why u started this remember its about family in this motherfucker not money. And in a sense your commiting one of the deadly sins GREED. And on that im done saying what I need to say I hope you read this but I doubt you will im just an empty voice to you two

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  19. Hey Adam thanks for checking out my blog and leaving your thoughts. I agree with what you said about Joe and Joey. Greed will kill Psychopathic. They may check out my blog, they may not. Either way the fam is always welcome to come on here and share thoughts. MMFWFL!

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  20. Your quite welcome j, im glad that the fam sees my thoughts like I do it is a heavy heart of sadness that I carry for it i will check back frequently to see others posts. I thought last night that they would read this and mention ur blog and the fam that posted there thoughts feelings and soul to them. We should all sign a petition saying we want them to change and it hurts us. To see them fail one can only hope

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  21. Dude ... this is crazy! I mean I agree with you straight up, but I didnt even know about this shit till like a lill while back. Ive been out of scene for longer then I wanted, not that I stopped listening to psychopathic, I STILL got all my shit up to Bang,Pow,Boom. Just I work for the state and they see Juggalos as gangs and I could be fired and etc etc have a family to take care of etc etc, Any way, Glad I came across your blog man and I agree totally, dont know what happened on the inside but still gonna support them both.

    MMFCL

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  22. It all comes down to $ in the end. Billy is a douche, he threatens employees, and talks to them like garbage making it hard to ever even try to talk to him. It was time for Twiztid to leave, you can't go around telling everyone rep the hatchet, and that buying a hatchet man shirt supports everyone on the label, when it all really goes to ICP. ICP nickel and dime there fans to death, and just keep coming up with more ways to do it. All i can say is that there is a lot of BS happening at Psy constantly. Employess having sex with minors at venues and on tour buses, hiring convicted sex offenders, dancers purposely hitting fans in the face with full 2 liters, racism, Threats of violence, most of the crew on tours think of ICP and the music as a joke. They are not loyal to the fans, unless it rakes in a few dollars!!

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  23. Alright I may not be the expert on this subject, but ICP is fam and Twiztid is just as much fam and if I know the Clown Love that they be feeling Twiztid wouldnt have left Psychopathic Records for a stupid reason yes they split but bottom line is family and no I cant see ICP and Twiztid having "Beef" they came too far and they have way too much respect as fam then to let press pressure hate upon eachother the bottom line is their family and family is love! Thank you for your blog Ninja this subject had been bothering me for a while and this really helped me out Whoop Whoop! Family is forever Clown Love!

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    1. I agree with you here that there is no beef between the two groups. I do think Twiztid will end up better off in the end. Thanks so much for checking out my blog and leaving your thoughts!

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