Known for movies
Short Info
Spouse | Michelle Rapp |
Mark | Sprays the audience with Faygo soda at their shows |
Fact | In all of his CDs he gives credit to "the Butterfly" |
Joseph Bruce, better known by his stage name Violent J, is an American rapper, record producer, and professional wrestler. He is a member of the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse, and is the co-founder of the independent record label Psychopathic Records.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Bruce began his music career in the hip hop group Inner City Posse before founding Insane Clown Posse along with fellow rapper Joseph Utsler in 1989. Insane Clown Posse gained a following in the early 1990s with their unique brand of hardcore rap, which often incorporated elements of horror and the supernatural.
The group’s first album, Carnival of Carnage, was released in 1992 and was followed by a series of successful albums that established the duo as one of the most popular rap groups in the world. In addition to his work with Insane Clown Posse, Bruce has also released several solo albums and has collaborated with other artists such as Twiztid and Blaze Ya Dead Homie.
As a wrestler, Bruce is best known for his appearances with the independent promotion Juggalo Championship Wrestling, where he is a former two-time JCW Heavyweight Champion.
Bruce was born Joseph Bruce on April 28, 1972, in Detroit, Michigan. He is of African-American and German descent. Bruce’s mother, Beverly, was a singer; his father, Joseph Bruce Sr., was a bass player. Bruce has two older brothers, John and Kenneth.
Bruce’s parents divorced when he was three years old; he and his brothers were then raised by their mother and stepfather, Robert “Bobby” Stewart. Stewart was a high-ranking member of the Black Mafia, which also influenced Bruce’s later interest in hip hop.
Bruce began his music career in the late 1980s as a member of the hip hop group Inner City Posse. The group was composed of Bruce, Utsler, Esham Smith, and other local rappers. Inner City Posse released its first album, Carnival of Carnage, in 1992. The album was a success, selling over 50,000 copies.
In 1993, Bruce and Utsler founded the record label Psychopathic Records. The label’s first release was the album Carnival of Carnage. Psychopathic Records went on to release several more albums by Insane Clown Posse and other artists associated with the label.
In 1997, Bruce and Utsler began appearing as professional wrestlers on the independent circuit. They made their debut for Juggalo Championship Wrestling at the company’s first event, Bloodymania. Bruce and Utsler have since appeared regularly for JCW, wrestling other wrestlers such as Sabu and New Jack.
Bruce is a two-time JCW Heavyweight Champion, having won the title in 2000 and 2003. He has also held the JCW Tag Team Championship on two occasions, first with Utsler as part of The Oddities (a tag team also featuring New Jack and Sabu) and then with partner Corporal Robinson.
Bruce has released several solo albums outside of his work with Insane Clown Posse. His debut album, The Shining Path, was released in 2008. The album peaked at number seven on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart.
Bruce’s net worth is estimated to be $10 million. He has earned most of his wealth from his music career, particularly from his work with Insane Clown Posse. In addition to his music earnings, Bruce has also made money from his wrestling career and from his work as a record producer.
General Info
Height | 1.88 m |
Profession | Actor, Author, Rapper, Professional Wrestler, Record producer, Screenwriter, Film Score Composer, Shiny Diamonds, If We Were A Gang, Yellow Brick Alleyway |
Nationality | American |
Family
Spouse | Michelle Rapp |
Children | Joseph Bruce, II, Ruby Bruce, Shiny Diamonds, If We Were A Gang, Yellow Brick Alleyway |
Parents | Linda Bruce, Richard Bruce, Shiny Diamonds, If We Were A Gang, Yellow Brick Alleyway |
Siblings | Robert Bruce, Theresa Bruce, Shiny Diamonds, If We Were A Gang, Yellow Brick Alleyway |
Accomplishments
Movies | Big Money Hustlas, Big Money Rustlas, Death Racers, Insane Clown Posse: Bootlegged in L.A., Insane Clown Posse: Six Jokerz Unauthorized, Insane Clown Posse: Hatchet Attacks: Live From Red Rocks, Insane Clown Posse: Juggalo Championsh*t Wrestling: Vol. 3 |
TV Shows | Impact Wrestling |
Social profile links
Marks
# | Marks / Signs |
---|---|
1 | Sprays the audience with Faygo soda at their shows |
Quotes
# | Quote |
---|---|
1 | People call us anti-gay for our lyrics all the time. That's lies, all lies. I've had many intimate relationships with juggalos as well as juggalettes, so you know I'm not judging. True clowns don't judge. |
2 | I'll be quicker to kick an ass before I'll ever kiss one. |
Facts
# | Fact |
---|---|
1 | Son, Joseph Bruce II, born January 2005. |
2 | In 1998, Eminem approached him with a flier to promote his "Slim Shady LP" release party, which read that ICP might make an appearance there. ICP had never met, or heard of Eminem at the time. He declined the "invitation", and Eminem took this as a personal insult and thus the battle between Eminem and ICP began. |
3 | Released an autobiography entitled "Behind the Paint" in 2003. |
4 | Favorite bands/artists include Prince, Michael Jackson, and Pearl Jam. |
5 | In all of his CDs he gives credit to "the Butterfly" |
6 | Had to pay a total of $100,000 out of his own pocket to complete the budget of the film Big Money Hustlas (2000), which he wrote. |
7 | Turned down a role in Prison Song (2001) as a bigoted prison guard because he did not want to play a racist. |
Movies
Soundtrack
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
West Coast | 2016 | writer: "Bi----s" - as Joseph Bruce | |
The Comix Scrutinizer | 2013 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
Todd's Pop Song Reviews | 2012 | TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode | |
Mimesis | 2011 | writer: "Where's God?" | |
A Family Underground | 2009 | Documentary performer: "So High", "Shiny Diamonds" / producer: "Shiny Diamonds" / writer: "Duk Da Fuk Down" - as Bullet / writer: "Headache", "Welcome To Thy Show", "Juggalo Family", "If I Was a Serial Killer", "Walk into the Darkness", "Hum Drum Boogie", "Ride the Tempest", "So High", "Shiny Diamonds", "Come Out To Play" | |
Death Racers | 2008 | Video writer: "Real Underground Baby", "Walk Into The Darkness", "Truly Alone", "Manic Depressive", "The People" | |
Psychopathic: The Videos | 2007 | Video writer: "Juggalo Homies", "Tilt A Whirl", "Halls Of Illusion", "Chicken Huntin'", "Another Love Song", "Chicken Huntin' Slaughterhouse Remix", "How Many Times?", "Bowling Balls", "Piggy Pie", "Hokus Pokus", "Real Underground Baby" | |
Evil Bong | 2006 | writer: "Like It Like That", "So High" | |
Demons at the Door | 2004 | Video writer: "Blaaam!!!" | |
Bowling Balls | 2004 | Video short writer: "Bowling Balls" | |
Juggalo Championshxt Wrestling Volume 3 | 2003 | Video writer: "Down With The Clown", "Riddle Box", "Chicken Huntin' Slaughterhouse Remix" | |
Backyard Wrestling: Don't Try This at Home | 2003 | Video Game writer: "Chicken Huntin' Slaughterhouse Remix", "Down With The Clown" - as J. Bruce | |
Solaris | 2002 | writer: "Riddle Box" - as Joseph Bruce | |
Frontline | 2001 | TV Series documentary writer - 1 episode | |
Juggalo Championshxt Wrestling Volume 1 | 2000 | Video writer: "Riddle Box", "Down With The Clown", "The Dead One", "Chicken Huntin' Slaughterhouse Remix", "What is a Juggalo?" | |
Big Money Hustlas | 2000 | Video writer: "Fuck the World", "Cotton Candy", "Bring It On", "Ninjas", "Bitches", "Spin the Bottle" | |
Heavy Metal 2000 | 2000 | writer: "Dirt Ball" - as Bruce | |
Juggalo Championshxt Wrestling Vol. 2 | 2000 | Video writer: "Riddle Box", "Down With The Clown", "What Is A Juggalo?" | |
The Fear | 1995 | writer: "Dead Body Man" |
Actor
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Big Money Rustlas | 2010 | Big Baby Chips | |
Death Racers | 2008 | Video | Violent J |
Bowling Balls | 2004 | Video short | J |
WCW Monday Nitro | 1999-2000 | TV Series | Violent J. |
Fall Brawl | 2000 | TV Movie | Violent J. |
WCW Thunder | 2000 | TV Series | Violent J. |
Big Money Hustlas | 2000 | Video | Big Baby Sweets Ape Boy |
WCW World Championship Wrestling | 1999 | TV Series | Violent J. |
Writer
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Big Money Rustlas | 2010 | original story - as Joe Bruce / screenplay - as Joe Bruce | |
Bowling Balls | 2004 | Video short | |
Big Money Hustlas | 2000 | Video as Joseph Bruce |
Music Department
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Death Racers | 2008 | Video composer: additional music - as Insane Clown Posse |
Thanks
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Juggalohio | 2011 | Video short special thanks |
Self
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Unplanned America | 2014 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Insane Clown Posse Theater | 2013-2014 | TV Series | Himself |
Down with Clowns | 2013 | Documentary | Himself |
American Psycho Tour | 2012 | Himself | |
Tosh.0 | 2012 | TV Series | Himself |
1000 Ways to Die | 2011 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Attack of the Show! | 2011 | TV Series | Himself - Guest |
Aqua Teen Hunger Force | 2010 | TV Series | Himself |
A Family Underground | 2009 | Documentary | Himself |
The Hitchcock of HipHop | 2008 | Video | Himself |
JCW SLAM TV, Volume 2 | 2007 | Video | Himself |
Psychopathic: The Videos | 2007 | Video | Himself (segments "Homies" - "Tilt A Whirl" - "We don't die" - "Halls of Illusions" - "Chicken Huntin" - "Another love song" - "How many times?'" - "Bowling balls" - "The people" - "Piggy pie" - "Hokus pokus" - "Let's go all the way'" - "'Real underground baby") / Bullet (segments "Duk da fuk down" - "Real underground baby") / Fats Pepper (segment "Raw deal") / ... |
PWU Power Surge TV | 2007 | TV Series | Himself |
JCW SLAM TV, Volume 1 | 2007 | Video | Himself |
The (White) Rapper Show | 2007 | TV Series | Himself |
The Chronicles of the Dark Carnival | 2006 | TV Movie | Himself |
Howard Stern on Demand | 2006 | TV Series | Himself |
Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood | 2004 | Video Game | Himself (voice) |
NWA: Total Nonstop Action | 2004 | TV Series | Himself |
Juggalo Championshxt Wrestling Volume 3 | 2003 | Video | Himself - The Insane Clown Posse / Diamond Donovan Douglas (voice) |
Howard Stern | 1998-2003 | TV Series | Himself |
Insane Clown Posse: Bootlegged in L.A. | 2003 | Video documentary | Himself |
The Purple Show | 2003 | Video documentary | Himself |
Born Twiztid: Beyond the Freekshow | 2002 | Video short | Himself |
Music Jamboree | 2002 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
MADtv | 2002 | TV Series | Himself |
The O'Reilly Factor | 2002 | TV Series | Himself |
Frontline | 2001 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
Juggalo Championshxt Wrestling Volume 1 | 2000 | Video | Himself - Insane Clown Posse / Diamond Donovan '3D' Douglas (voice) |
The Howard Stern Radio Show | 1999-2000 | TV Series | Himself / Himself - Guest |
Juggalo Championshxt Wrestling Vol. 2 | 2000 | Video | Himself - Insane Clown Posse / Diamond Donovan Douglas (voice) |
Behind the Music | 1999 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
WCW Road Wild | 1999 | TV Movie | Himself |
WWE Raw | 1998 | TV Series | Himself / Himself - Insane Clown Posse |
Summerslam | 1998 | TV Special | Himself - The Insane Clown Posse / The Oddities |
WWE Sunday Night Heat | 1998 | TV Series | Himself (1998-1999) |
Shockumentary | 1997 | Documentary | Himself |
ECW Hardcore Heaven '97 | 1997 | TV Special | Himself - The Insane Clown Posse |
WCW Worldwide Wrestling | 1975 | TV Series | Himself (1998-1999) |
Archive Footage
Title | Year | Status | Character |
---|---|---|---|
Vanilla Ice Archive | 2012 | Documentary | Himself |
Death of an Indie label | 2011 | Documentary | Himself |
WWE Summerslam: The Complete Anthology, Vol. 3 | 2009 | Himself | |
WWE: Greatest Stars of the '90s | 2009 | Video | Himself |
Hatchet Attacks: Live from Red Rocks | 2008 | Video documentary | Himself |
Howard Stern on Demand | 2006 | TV Series | Himself |
Road Warriors: The Life and Death of Wrestling's Most Dominant Tag Team | 2005 | Video documentary | Himself |
The Rise & Fall of ECW | 2004 | Video documentary | Himself |
Source: IMDb, Wikipedia