Violent J

Music Home >> Music Genres >> Hip Hop/Rap Music



< < < < < > > > > > More Info on Violent J Similar Hip Hop/Rap Music Search Artistopia

Biography

Joseph Frank "Joe" Bruce (born April 28, 1972) is an United States|American rapper , record producer, professional wrestler and actor. Bruce is well known as Violent J of the Insane Clown Posse (ICP). He is co-founder of the independent record label|record label Psychopathic Records , with fellow ICP rapper Joseph Utsler (a.k.a. Shaggy 2 Dope) and their former manager, Alex Abbiss . Also along with Utsler, Bruce is the co-founder of the professional wrestling promotion Juggalo Championship Wrestling , where he currently acts as commissioner.

Early life

Joseph Bruce was the last born of three children. His father, Richard Bruce, stole all of the family's money and left when Bruce was two years old. Joe's mother, Linda, was forced to care for him and his siblings, Robert Bruce (rapper)|Robert and Theresa, off the income she made as a janitor. At age seven, Joe and his brother caught a butterfly , and both were fascinated by the vibrant colors and overall peacefulness of the creature. They kept the butterfly in a jar overnight, and intended to free it the following morning. When they awoke, the brothers found the butterfly had died, and felt as if they had committed a murder. The brothers made a vow that "one day, will make it to heaven, so that can apologize to that Butterfly face-to-face." On every Insane Clown Posse album and EP it reads "Dedicated to the Butterfly."

Bruce received all of his clothes from rummage sale s, and his food from canned food drives held at his own school.Fostey, p. 20–33 After moving to Oak Park, Michigan|Oak Park , Bruce met John Utsler, and his little brother Joseph Utsler|Joey .Fostey, pgs. 51–61 He also began his gang life by reluctantly getting involved in criminal activity in Royal Oak Charter Township, Michigan|Royal Oak Township . Along with John and Joey, Bruce got heavily into rap music. In 1989, Bruce, as Jagged Joe , Joseph Utsler, as Kangol Joe, and John Utsler, as Master J, released the single titled Party at the Top of the Hill under the name of JJ Boys , but they did not pursue a serious career in music.Fostey, p. 539–540

Bruce Dropping out|dropped out of school in ninth grade,Fostey, p. 81 and moved in with his friend, Rudy, in River Rouge, Michigan|River Rouge .Fostey, p. 106–119 There he formed his own gang called Inner City Posse, which would terrorize people with Army-issued tear gas and steal Car audio|car radios for money. One night, Joe's mother, who had just moved to Ferndale, Michigan|Ferndale , had her house attacked by rival gang Hazel Park, Michigan|Hazel Parks . Fearing for his mother's life, Joe fled to Bonnie Doone, North Carolina , a trailer park town just outside of Fort Bragg (North Carolina)|Fort Bragg , where his brother was staying with the U.S. Army . It was there that Bruce witnessed the open racism which would later emerge as the hate for Bigotry|bigots referenced in Insane Clown Posse's lyrics.

At seventeen, Joe returned to Ferndale. He was soon jailed, and the experience convinced him to get away from gang life.Fostey, p.121–144 In 1990, after a short career in professional wrestling, Bruce and his friend Dale recorded Intelligence and Violence on a karaoke machine, which marked the debut of Bruce's stage name Violent J . Joe bought his own karaoke machine and, along with Joey and John Utsler, formed the music group Insane_Clown_Posse#Formation_of_the_group|Inner City Posse , named after their gang. After the release of the album Bass-Ment Cuts , the group hired record store owner Alex Abbiss as their manager, and established the Psychopathic Records record label with him in 1991.

Musical career

Solo career (1990-present)

In 1990, Bruce recorded his first solo release, Enter the Ghetto Zone , using two Cassette deck|cassette players . One played the beat, while the other recorded, and Bruce stuck his head between the two and rapped. In 2003, Bruce released his second solo release Wizard of the Hood , which was an extended reference to the Wizard of the Hood (song)|Wizard of the Hood songs which he recorded on Inner City Posse's Intelligence and Violence and Dog Beats , and Insane Clown Posse's Carnival of Carnage . In 2009, Bruce released the LP The Shining (Violent J album)|The Shining , which was initially given away for free at the 2008 Gathering of the Juggalos before being nationally released.

Insane Clown Posse (1991-present)

In late 1991, Inner City Posse changed their style, look, and name. Bruce recalled a dream of a clown running around in Delray, which became the inspiration for the group's new name: Insane Clown Posse.Fostey, p. 174–185 Upon returning home that night, Bruce had a dream in which spirits in a traveling carnival appeared to him& mdash;an image that would become the basis for the Dark Carnival (ICP)|Dark Carnival mythology detailed in the group's Joker's Cards series. These stories each offer a specific lesson designed to change the "evil ways" of listeners before "the end consumes us all." Insane Clown Posse has a dedicated following, often referred to by the group as Juggalo s and Juggalettes.

John Utsler left the group about a month before the release of Carnival of Carnage and Insane Clown Posse has since been composed of Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler, who perform under the respective personas of the murderous, Evil clown|wicked clowns Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. The duo perform a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore , and is known for its dark, violent lyrics and elaborate live performances. Insane Clown Posse has earned two Music recording sales certification|platinum and four gold albums. According to Nielsen SoundScan , the entire catalog of the group has sold 6.5 million units in the United States and Canada as of April 2007.

Golden Goldies (1995)

Golden Goldies was a comical group whose lyrics focused solely on gold . The group consisted of Psychopathic Record's employees and friends; Joseph Bruce ( Golden Jelly ), Joseph Utsler (Gold D), Robert Bruce (Golden Gram), Billy Bill (Gold Double B), Alex Abbiss (Gold Rocks), Mike E. Clark (Gold Digger), Rich Murrell (Golden Warrior), Frank G (Golden Frank), Keith (Gold Teeth), Josh (Rold Gold), Kelly Eubanks (Gold Spud), Fink the East Side G (Golden Toby), and Matt Mackalantie (Gold Spakalantie). Their only LP, ''Gimme Them Fuckin' Nuggets Bitch, Or I'll Punch Your Fuckin' Face'', was recorded in 1995 in a span of one week, and was not publicly released. Golden Goldies was a project put together by Insane Clown Posse for entertainment purposes only. To add more humor to the album, each artist was given only five minutes to write their verses, and had only one take to record them, which resulted in some artists messing up their lines, and lyrics containing "some very strange things." The group held only one live performance, which occurred at the record release party for Insane Clown Posse's Riddle Box .

Dark Lotus (1999-present)

Formed in 1999, Dark Lotus consists of Bruce and Utsler of Insane Clown Posse, Jamie Spaniolo and Monoxide Child|Paul Methric of Twiztid , and Blaze Ya Dead Homie|Chris Rouleau . Each member is said to "act as a 'petal' of the lotus," and it was announced that there would be six members. After switching between three different "sixth members," Marz (rapper)|Marz , Vampiro and Anybody Killa , Dark Lotus decided to keep the group to only five.

Psychopathic Rydas (1999-present)

Psychopathic Rydas formed in 1999, and consists of Psychopathic Records-associated rappers performing under alternate stage names in the style of mainstream gangsta rap . The group's current lineup consists of Bruce ( Bullet ), Utsler (Full Clip), Methric (Foe Foe), Spaniolo (Lil' Shank), Rouleau (Cell Block), Lowery (Sawed Off) and Hutto (Yung Dirt).

Psychopathic Rydas reuses the beats of popular rappers within the genre without paying to license the original songs or requesting permission from copyright owners to use the music, effectively making their albums Bootleg recording|bootleg sInsane Clown Posse (1999). The Amazing Jeckel Brothers . Liner notes. Island Records|Island / Psychopathic Records|Psychopathic . ISBN 731452465924 and resulting in the releases becoming difficult to find in some markets.

Soopa Villainz (2002-2005)

Formed in 2002, Soopa Villainz consisted of Detroit rappers L.A.V.E.L. (Mr. Heart), Bruce ( Mr. Diamond ), Esham (Mr. Spade) and Utsler (Mr. Club). The group made appearances on Insane Clown Posse's The Wraith: Shangri-La and Esham's Acid Rain (album)|Acid Rain Esham (2002). "P-P-P-Pow!" Acid Rain. Psychopathic Records. ISBN 756504303023 and Repentance (Esham album)|Repentance Esham (2003). "Soopa Doopa." Repentance. Psychopathic Records. ISBN 756504402122 before releasing their debut album, Furious , in 2005. Following Esham and Lavel's departure from Psychopathic Records in October 2005, the group disbanded.

Style and influences

Bruce has cited the artists Esham , N.W.A , Ice Cube , Awesome Dre, Geto Boys , Gong (band)|Gong , Pearl Jam , and Michael Jackson as influences on his music. Allmusic reviewer James Monger has referred to Bruce's style as an "onslaught of Midwest hip hop|Midwest Dirty Rap ."

Wrestling career

Beginning (1983-1986)

Bruce began wrestling alongside his friends Joseph and John Utsler. The three got involved in backyard wrestling , and created two backyard wrestling ring s for their made up promotion Tag Team Wrestling , later renamed National All-Star Wrestling . The trio staged National All-Star Wrestling's first show, NAW Wrestling Extravaganza , in front of friends and family. Among others, the show featured Bruce wrestling under the moniker Darryl "Dropkick" Daniels , and Joey Utsler wrestling as both Rhino, and the Lucha libre#Masks|masked NAW World Champion White Tiger. Bruce stopped wrestling after becoming involved in gang life and forming Inner City Posse.

Independent Circuit (1990, 1994-2004)

After being released from jail in 1990, Bruce decided to get away from gang life and start a career in professional wrestling. Bruce's friend, Rudy Hill, got him booked in a local wrestling promotion. Rudy had lied to the promoter by telling him that Bruce had been trained at the Chris Adams (wrestler)|Chris Adams List of professional wrestling terms#S|Wrestling School in Texas . At the event, Bruce met Rob Van Dam and Sabu (wrestler)|Sabu , two other first-timers with whom he became very good friends. Bruce wrestled as Corporal Darryl Daniels , wearing a U.S. Army uniform that his brother had sent him while in the Gulf War , and had his first match against "Irish" Mickey Doyle at Azteca Hall in Southwest Detroit. Training alongside Rob Van Dam, Bruce went on to wrestle for Al Snow , including the event which featured the debut of Van Dam. After a short run in the business, Joe realized his dislike for the backstage politics, and decided to take up a career in music, taking the name Violent J .

Bruce returned to wrestling in the independent circuit in 1994, under the name Hector Hatchet . He competed for Midwest Championship Wrestling throughout the next year, wrestling in between recording sessions and touring. From 1996 to 1998, Bruce was involved in a rivalry with Joseph Utsler|Sewer Dwella in Insane Championship Wrestling. He continued to compete in several independent promotions for the next three years, including Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South|IWA Mid-South and NWA Mid American Wrestling.

In 2001, Bruce appeared in Xtreme Pro Wrestling at XPW Rapture to aid Utsler. After Bruce suffered a Legit (professional wrestling)|real-life injury from a sloppy Professional wrestling attacks#Clothesline|clothesline , the duo left the company. On October 5, 2002, he and Utsler wrestled in Ring of Honor and defeated Oman Tortuga and Diablo Santiago. Bruce was later made a playable character in both Eidos Interactive 's video games Backyard Wrestling: Don't Try This at Home and Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood as Violent J. To help promote the games, he competed in a series of matches for Backyard Wrestling in 2003 and 2004.

Extreme Championship Wrestling (1997)

In August 1997, Bruce received a telephone call from friends Rob Van Dam and Sabu. They asked if he and Utsler could appear on Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)'s second pay-per-view (PPV) program, ECW Hardcore Heaven#1997|Hardcore Heaven . The duo went to Florida to discuss the ECW program's content with Van Dam, Sabu, and Paul Heyman . Heyman was pleased that Bruce and Utsler were former wrestlers, which meant that they could surprise the crowd by taking Bump (professional wrestling)|bumps . Heyman also favored the idea of using Insane Clown Posse, because it was unlikely that anyone knew of the relationship the group had with Van Dam and Sabu. Heyman presented his idea to Bruce and Utsler, who agreed to participate. Insane Clown Posse opened the ECW program by performing songs and exciting the crowd. Then Van Dam and Sabu, the main Heel (professional wrestling)|villains at the time, attacked Bruce and Utsler. The top Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorite , Jim Fullington|The Sandman , came in and saved them by chasing away Van Dam and Sabu with his signature Shinai|Singapore cane .

''ICP's Strangle-Mania Live (1997)

Being avid wrestling fans, Bruce and Utsler owned, and were fascinated by, the Hardcore wrestling|death match wrestling collection Outrageously Violent Wrestling from Japan. The duo decided to create a compilation of their favorite matches, recording their own sports announcing under the personas named "Handsome" Harley Guestella a.k.a. "Gweedo" (Utsler) and "Diamond Donovan Douglas" a.k.a. "3D" (Bruce). The compilation video was released nationwide under the title ''ICP's Strangle-Mania''. The video's success allowed Bruce and Utsler to host their own wrestling show, ''ICP's Strangle-Mania Live'', to a sold-out performance at St. Andrew's Hall. The main event featured Insane Clown Posse versus The Chicken Boys, who were played by two friends of Bruce and Utsler. With local wrestling List of professional wrestling terms#B|booker Dan Curtis, other wrestlers such as Mad Man Pondo , 2 Tuff Tony , Steve Robinson (wrestler)|Corporal Robinson , King Kong Bundy , and Abdullah the Butcher were also booked on the show to wrestle in the same death match style as shown in ICP Strangle-Mania .

World Wrestling Federation (1998)

In 1998, Insane Clown Posse were asked by the World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation (WWF) to perform the entrance theme for the wrestling group The Oddities (professional wrestling)|The Oddities . The WWF also wanted Bruce and Utsler to appear on their SummerSlam (1998)|SummerSlam pay-per-view (PPV) program in August 1998 and rap live while The Oddities entered the ring. Once the duo arrived at the arena, they realized their wrestling dreams had come true; they had been contacted by wrestling's top company and were now set to appear on their PPV program at the company's most historic venue, Madison Square Garden . Bruce and Utsler were assigned to the locker room with Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Undertaker , who were to wrestle during the main event that night. The duo immediately felt the animosity of the locker room that had previously driven them away from wrestling. Insane Clown Posse performed and was asked to return for the live broadcast of WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw the following night. At the broadcast, Bruce and Utsler requested for more than just a rapping role; they wanted to wrestle. Vince McMahon|Vincent McMahon favored the idea and allowed them to participate.

Insane Clown Posse was put in a feud with The Headbangers . In the first wrestling match, The Headbangers were List of professional wrestling terms#S|stiff , throwing real punches and kicks. In the rematch, a move was planned where The Headbangers would be flipped over by Bruce and Utsler. When the time came to flip over, however, The Headbangers refused to move, forcing Insane Clown Posse to genuinely flip them over and begin throwing punches. Realizing that the match was getting too heated, McMahon ended the feud after that match. Bruce and Utsler were put into other matches along with The Oddities. Vince Russo told Bruce and Utsler to "make it seem like you don't know anything about wrestling, and you guys keep choking and digging into their eyes". During this time, Bruce and Utsler had no contract with WWF. They, however, did have an agreement that the WWF would occasionally play Insane Clown Posse commercials, and in return, Bruce and Utsler would wrestle for free. Bruce and Utsler knew that airtime cost significantly more than any monetary compensation they would receive and were thus satisfied with the agreement. The duo were told they were to suddenly List of professional wrestling terms#T|turn on The Oddities in their match against The Headbangers, then join them in beating up the group. They were also informed that their commercial would air the very next week, which had still not aired after three months of being involved with the WWF. The next week Insane Clown Posse and The Headbangers had a match with Steve Austin. Backstage, Austin made it clear to Bruce and Glen Ruth|Thrasher that Thrasher would receive the first Stunner (professional wrestling)|Stone Cold Stunner , after which Bruce would turn around and receive the second. During the match, Austin gave Bruce the Stunner first, catching him off guard, thus having Bruce Sell (professional wrestling)|sell the move awkwardly. Although disappointed over the events during the match, Bruce and Utsler continued in hopes that McMahon would air the commercial as promised. Bruce and Utsler contacted Abbiss to inquire about the commercial and were informed that it was not aired. Given that McMahon failed to uphold his promise to air Insane Clown Posse's commercial, Abbiss recommended that Bruce and Utsler terminate their agreement with the WWF.

Hellfire Wrestling (1998)

While involved with the WWF, Insane Clown Posse brought Dan Curtis with them. After leaving the WWF, Curtis suggested that Insane Clown Posse start its own promotion while continuing with its music. He came to Bruce's house each night to discuss ideas about the promotion. Curtis convinced Bruce to coordinate another Strangle-Mania Live show, to be followed by an eighty-city "Hellfire Wrestling" tour. Curtis booked the talent and wrote the scripts. Strangle-Mania Live sold out the Majestic Theater (Detroit, Michigan)|Majestic Theater in Detroit. Two days after the show, Curtis was found dead in his apartment, due to a sudden diabetic problem. The "Hellfire Wrestling" tour was subsequently canceled.

World Championship Wrestling (1999-2000)

Bruce then went on to wrestle a long stint in World Championship Wrestling with Shaggy 2 Dope. The duo formed two List of professional wrestling terms#S|stables . The first stable, The Dead Pool , consisted of Insane Clown Posse, Vampiro , and Scott Levy|Raven ; the second consisted of Insane Clown Posse, Vampiro, Keiji Mutoh|Great Muta , and Dale Torborg|Kiss Demon , known as The Dark Carnival .

On August 9, 1999, Insane Clown Posse made their WCW debut on WCW Monday Nitro|Monday Nitro in a six-man tag team match. Insane Clown Posse and Vampiro defeated Lash LeRoux , Norman Smiley , and Michael Haynes III|Prince Iaukea . At Road Wild 1999#1999|Road Wild 1999 , Rey Mysterio, Jr. , Billy Kidman , and Eddie Guerrero defeated Vampiro and Insane Clown Posse. Insane Clown Posse continued to wrestle on Monday Nitro, defeating The Public Enemy (professional wrestling)|Public Enemy one week, and losing to Konnan and Rey Mysterio, Jr. another. At Fall Brawl 1999#1999|Fall Brawl 1999 , the tag team of Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero, and Billy Kidman again defeated Vampiro and Insane Clown Posse. On September 13, Insane Clown Posse defeated Lenny Lane and Brad Cain|Lodi . Shaggy 2 Dope then went on a solo run for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship|WCW Cruiserweight Championship .

On the August 23, 2000 episode of WCW Thunder , Great Muta, Vampiro, and Insane Clown Posse beat Tank Abbott and 3 Count . Five days later, on Monday Nitro, Insane Clown Posse and Vampiro defeated 3 Count, and the following week, Rey Mysterio, Jr. and Juventud Guerrera beat Insane Clown Posse. On September 25, Mike Awesome defeated Insane Clown Posse in a Professional wrestling match types#Handicap match|Handicap Hardcore wrestling#Rules|Hardcore match .

Juggalo Championshit Wrestling (1999-2006)

On December 19, 1999, Bruce and Utsler created their own wrestling promotion, Juggalo Championshit Wrestling (now known as Juggalo Championship Wrestling ). That night, the duo defeated the team of two Doink the Clown s to become the first ever JCW Tag Team Championship|JCW Tag Team Champions . The event was taped and released as JCW, Volume 1 . Commentary was provided by Bruce and Utsler under their '3D' and 'Gweedo' announcing personas. In 2000, Insane Clown Posse was involved in a rivalry with The Rainbow Coalition (Big Flam, Bob, and Neil). That April, the duo teamed with Vampiro to defeat The Rainbow Coalition. They defeated the Coalition again when they teamed with Robert Bruce (rapper)|Evil Dead later that year, and the match that was featured on JCW, Volume 2 .

In 2003, Insane Clown Posse defended, and retained, their JCW Tag Team Championships against Kid Kash|Kid Cock (a parody of Kid Rock ) and Feminem (a parody of Eminem ). The match was featured on JCW, Volume 3 . At the 2006 Gathering of the Juggalos , Bruce, Kazushige Nosawa|Nosawa , and Vampiro lost to Mad Man Pondo and The Headhunters (professional wrestling)|The Headhunters , but defeated Pondo and Powers of Pain the next day. Bruce continued to wrestle for JCW, which could only be seen at live events until the 2007 start of JCW#SlamTV.21|JCW SlamTV! .

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2004, 2006)

On January 21, 2004, Bruce appeared alongside Utsler on an episode of the weekly Total Nonstop Action Wrestling|NWA Total Nonstop Action PPV. The duo were shown partying in the crowd alongside the juggalos in attendance. In the main event of the night, which featured Jeff Jarrett going against Germán Figueroa|El Leon , Jarrett and El Leon were fighting in the crowd when Insane Clown Posse sprayed Faygo in Jarrett's eyes. The following week, Insane Clown Posse were interviewed in the ring by Mike Tenay . The duo explained that they were fans of TNA, and that they wanted to be a part of the promotion themselves. As they started making kayfabe negative remarks toward Jarrett, Glenn Gilberti and David Young (wrestler)|David Young interrupted. When Gilberti tried to convince the duo to apologize to Jarrett, Insane Clown Posse chased Gilbertti and Young out of the ring before challenging the team to a match for the next week.

On February 4, Insane Clown Posse defeated Glen Gilbertti and David Young. Later that night, Scott Hudson interviewed Insane Clown Posse, and the duo announced that they would face whoever Jeff Jarrett threw at them next in a " Hardcore wrestling#Rules|Juggalo Street Fight ". Insane Clown Posse won against the team of Glen Gilbertti and Kid Kash on February 18. Two weeks later, Insane Clown Posse announced that they would take part in a " Dark Carnival (Insane Clown Posse)|Dark Carnival match" the next week against Glen Gilbertti and any partner he chooses. The following week, Insane Clown Posse and 2 Tuff Tony took on Glen Gilbertti, Kid Kash, and David Young. "The Alpha Male" Monty Brown made his TNA return, and cost Insane Clown Posse and 2 Tuff Tony the match. During their stint in TNA, Insane Clown Posse brought the company its largest paying crowds in history. After the duo left, they remained close with the company.

On March 17, 2006, Insane Clown Posse hosted and booked TNA's first ever house show , which took place in Detroit, Michigan . The duo defeated Team Canada (TNA)|Team Canada members Eric Young (wrestler)|Eric Young and Petey Williams .

Independent Circuit (2004-present)

On December 12, 2004, Bruce and Utsler competed in the event A Night of Appreciation for Sabu , teaming with the Rude Boy to defeat the team of Steve Robinson (wrestler)|Corporal Robinson , Zach Gowen , and Breyer Wellington. Utsler received surgery on his neck the following year, forcing Bruce to compete as a singles competitor and as a member of the Hatchet Boys, alongside Corporal Robinson and 2 Tuff Tony.

In late 2006, Bruce was involved in a rivalry with Pro Wrestling Unplugged. On November 18, he turned on Corporal Robinson, the then JCW Heavyweight Championship|JCW Heavyweight Champion and PWU Hardcore Champion, provoking a series of matches between JCW and PWU. At Pro Wrestling Unplugged's "PWU vs JCW", Team PWU ( The Backseat Boyz and Corporal Robinson) defeated Team JCW (2 Tuff Tony, Violent J, and Dyson Pryce). The following month, Team PWU ( Trent Acid , Corporal Robinson, Johnny Kashmere , Pete Hunter, and Gary Wolfe (wrestler)|Gary Wolfe ) took on Team JCW (Nosawa, 2 Tuff Tony, Violent J, Mad Man Pondo, and Raven (wrestler)|Raven ) in a WarGames match|War Games match . Raven, however, attacked both teams, provoking all members of Team PWU and Team JCW to join forces and attack Raven.

Bruce continues to appear as Violent J at various promotions in the independent circuit.

Juggalo Championship Wrestling (2007-present)

In 2007, JCW launched SlamTV! . With it came the first broadcast of JCW since the three initial DVDs. Bruce returned to commentary as Diamond Donovan Douglas, and Utsler returned as "Handsome" Harley Guestella. 3D and Gweedo announced in an episode of SlamTV& #33; that Insane Clown Posse had been stripped of the JCW Tag Team Championships due to them not defending the title. At the first annual Bloodymania (2007)|Bloodymania , JCW's premier wrestling event, Insane Clown Posse teamed with Sabu (wrestler)|Sabu to defeat Trent Acid and The Young Alter Boys w/ Annie Social the Nun.

Later that night, Corporal Robinson, Scott Hall , and Violent J formed the Juggalo World Order (JWO). Shaggy 2 Dope, Kazushige Nosawa|Nosawa , Kevin Nash , 2 Tuff Tony, and Sid Eudy|Sid Vicious later joined the group. On January 26, 2008, Bruce and Tony won the JCW Tag Team Championship . However, their victory was declared void, stricken from the record, and the title was vacated.
On November 9, 2008, the Juggalo World Order (Scott Hall, Shaggy 2 Dope, Violent J, 2 Tuff Tony, and Corporal Robinson) "invaded" Total Nonstop Action Wrestling 's Turning Point (2008)|Turning Point PPV by purchasing front row tickets to the event. They proceeded to promote their faction by flashing their JWO jerseys, which each member had on, before being removed from the building.

At Bloodymania III , Juggalo World Order (Corporal Robinson, Scott Hall, Shaggy 2 Dope, Violent J, and Sid Vicious) defeated Trent Acid and the Alter Boys (Tim, Tom, Terry, and Todd). On February 10, 2011, Bruce took the on-screen role of commissioner of the company.

Acting career

Bruce starred in the Psychopathic Records crime comedy Big Money Hustlas , as Big Baby Sweets, in 2000. A sequel, Big Money Rustlas followed in 2010, in which Bruce portrayed Big Baby Sweets' ancestor, Big Baby Chips. In 2001, Bruce was offered a role in the musical Prison Song , in which he was asked to play a bigoted prison guard. The producers offered Bruce the role on the basis of his appearances on The Howard Stern Show , and told him that they wanted "a big white dude with urban slang to his voice", and on the basis of his radio appearances, thought that Bruce was perfect for the role. While Bruce had interest in acting outside of Psychopathic Records projects, as well as being willing to act without face paint, he did not want to play a racist, and turned the role down. In preparation for Big Money Rustlas , Bruce starred in the film Death Racers in 2008. According to Bruce, "We just did it for fun. We knew it was gonna be basically garbage."

Personal life

Family

Bruce has two children with his former girlfriend Michelle Rapp; a son named Joseph "JJ" Bruce II, born January 7, 2005, and a daughter named Ruby Bruce, born December 1, 2006., accessed Dec. 20, 2010 Bruce has recorded tracks specifically for his children entitled "Song 4 Son" for his son and "Ruby Song" for his daughter.

Legal troubles

Bruce, along with his band mate Joseph Utsler, has had numerous run-ins with the law, having been arrested multiple times starting at the age of seventeen:

Bruce was jailed for ninety days in 1989–1990 for death threats, robbery, and violating probation ; this experience convinced him to reduce his involvement in gang life.

On November 16, 1997, Bruce was arrested on an aggravated battery charge after allegedly striking an audience member thirty times with his microphone at a concert in Albuquerque, New Mexico . Bruce was held for four hours before being released on US$5,000 bail.

After a show in Indianapolis , Insane Clown Posse's tour bus stopped at a Waffle House in Greenfield, Indiana . When a customer began to harass Spaniolo and Bruce, a fight broke out between the customer and all of the bands' members. Months later on June 4, 1998, Bruce and Utsler pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disorderly conduct charges (reduced from battery (crime)|battery ) in an Indiana court and were fined US$200 each. Members of Twiztid, Myzery, and Psycho Realm were charged with battery.

On June 15, 2001, Bruce was arrested in Columbia, Missouri for an outstanding warrant in St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis stemming from an incident in February 2001. That incident involved Insane Clown Posse allegedly attacking employees of a St. Louis radio station over disparaging remarks that a disc jockey made on the air. The police used several squad cars to detain Bruce, Utsler, and two associates a few miles from a venue where the group had completed a concert. Bruce was transferred to St. Louis the following day and released on bail without charge on June 18. On February 6, 2002, Bruce plead guilty to two counts of misdemeanor assault in the second degree and was sentenced to 12 months unsupervised probation.

In December 2008, John Antonelli filed a lawsuit against the group after being struck by an unopened two-liter of Faygo during a performance at the Fargo, North Dakota|Fargo nightclub The Hub, formerly known as Playmakers. Antonelli is seeking at least $50,000 in damages. The lawsuit also names the venue, Playmakers, as a defendant. An attorney for Playmakers states that only Bruce should be held liable.

Discography

Enter the Ghetto Zone (1990)

Wizard of the Hood (2003)

The Shining (Violent J album)|The Shining (2009)

Filmography

Big Money Hustlas (2000), as Big Baby Sweets/Ape Boy

Bowling Balls (2004), as J

Death Racers (2008), as Violent J

Big Money Rustlas (2009), as Big Baby Chips

In wrestling

Finishing moves

* Moonsault

* Professional wrestling throws#Michinoku driver II|Sitout scoop slam piledriver

* Professional wrestling throws#Gorilla press|Spinning gorilla press into a Professional wrestling throws#Samoan drop|fireman's carry drop (WCW) – 1999–2000

Signature moves

* Brainbuster

* Professional wrestling attacks#Clothesline|Clothesline

* Professional wrestling throws#Death Valley driver|Death Valley driver

* Professional wrestling throws#Samoan drop|Fireman's carry drop

* Professional wrestling attacks#Headbutt|Headbutt

* Professional wrestling throws#Hip toss|Hip toss

* Professional wrestling attacks#Lariat takedown|Lariat takedown

Music in professional wrestling|Theme Music

*" WWF The Music, Vol. 3#Track listing|Oddities " by Insane Clown Posse (WWF; 1998)

*" WCW Mayhem: The Music#Track listing|Take It " by Insane Clown Posse (WCW; 1999)

*" The Amazing Jeckel Brothers#Track listing|Assassins (Instrumental) " by Insane Clown Posse (WCW; 2000)

*" Chicken Huntin'|Chicken Huntin' (Slaughterhouse Remix) " by Insane Clown Posse (JCW / TNA / Independent circuit; 1999–present)

*" Bizzar#Track_listing|My Axe " by Insane Clown Posse (as Commissioner of JCW; 2011–present)

Manager (professional wrestling)|Managers

* Joseph Utsler

* Scott Levy|Raven

Championships and accomplishments

Juggalo Championship Wrestling

* JCW Tag Team Championship - (3 times) with Joseph Utsler|Shaggy 2 Dope (2, first) and 2 Tuff Tony (1)

Bibliography

Behind the Paint by Violent J with Hobey Echlin (2003) - Autobiography ISBN 0-9741846-0-8

Copyright Citations

This article is licensed under the GNU License
Click here for original article: Violent J

Violent J Photo by: content2.myyearbook.com


1. Eminem 2. Insane Clown Posse 3. Vanilla Ice 4. Geto Boys 5. Esham 6. Icp 7. Shaggy 2 Dope

Hip Hop/Rap Music Artists