Joseph Bruce

Joseph Frank Bruce (born April 28, 1972), known by his stage name Violent J, is an American rapper, record producer, professional wrestler, actor, and part of the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse (ICP). He is a co-founder of the record label Psychopathic Records, with fellow ICP rapper Shaggy 2 Dope (Joseph Utsler) and their former manager, Alex Abbiss. Also along with Utsler, Bruce is the co-founder of the professional wrestling promotion Juggalo Championship Wrestling.

Early life Bruce was born in Berkley, Michigan, Joe's mother, Linda, was forced to care for him and his siblings, older brother Robert and younger sister Theresa, off the income she made as a janitor. At age seven, the brothers caught a butterfly, and both were fascinated by the vibrant colors and overall peacefulness of the creature. After moving to Oak Park, Bruce met John Utsler, and his little brother Joey. He began his gang life by reluctantly getting involved in criminal activity in Royal Oak Township.

Bruce dropped out of school in ninth grade, and moved in with his friend, Rudy, in River Rouge. There he formed his own gang called Inner City Posse, which would terrorize people with Army-issued tear gas and steal car radios for money. In 1989, after a short career in professional wrestling, Bruce and his friend Dale Miettinen Jr. recorded Intelligence and Violence on a karaoke machine, which marked the debut of Bruce's stage name Violent J. During ICP's GOTJ 2013 seminar J and Shaggy stated that they were wanting to do solo albums. On December 10, 2015, with the release of Phantom: X-tra Spooky EP two flyers were released. One for Shaggy 2 Dope's new solo album titled F.T.F.O.M.F. said to be released in 2016. The other flyer was for Violent J's new solo album titled Karma Forest said to be released in 2016.

In 2023, Bruce collaborated on two tracks for the Saddle Up and Ride EP from alternative rock band The Lucid, composed of Sponge vocalist Vinnie Dombroski, guitarist Drew Fortier, former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, and Raven drummer Mike Heller. Bruce appears on the title track as well as a cover of Faith No More's "Epic" retitled as "Sweet Toof" featuring new lyrics written by Bruce and Dombroski.

Insane Clown Posse (1989–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. Upon returning home that night, Bruce had a dream in which spirits in a traveling carnival appeared to him—an image that would become the basis for the Dark Carnival mythology detailed in the group's Joker's Cards series.

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 Giammanco (Golden Frank), Keith Jex (Gold Teeth), Josh Silverstein (Rold Gold), Kelly Eubanks (Gold Spud), Dave Fink the East Side G (Golden Toby), and Matt Mackalantie (Gold Spakalantie). Each member was said to "act as a 'petal' of the lotus," The group's current lineup consists of Bruce (Bullet), 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 bootlegs and resulting in the releases becoming difficult to find in some markets. and Esham's Acid Rain and Repentance 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, 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 Dirty Rap."

Professional wrestling career Juggalo Championship 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 Clowns to become the first ever 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.

In 2003, Insane Clown Posse defended, and retained, their JCW Tag Team Championships against 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, Nosawa, and Vampiro lost to Mad Man Pondo and The Headhunters, but defeated Pondo and Powers of Pain the next day. In the main event of the night, which featured Jeff Jarrett going against El Leon, Jarrett and El Leon were fighting in the crowd when Insane Clown Posse sprayed Faygo in Jarrett's eyes.

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 "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 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. 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 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). At the first annual Bloodymania, JCW's premier wrestling event, Insane Clown Posse teamed with 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, Nosawa, Kevin Nash, 2 Tuff Tony, and 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 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). 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.

Bruce appears in the upcoming film Bunker Heights, written and directed by Drew Fortier; also appearing is Vinnie Dombroski, and David Ellefson, all of whom, including Fortier, Bruce collaborated with by way of their band The Lucid.

Personal life Family Bruce's brother Robert, under the stage name Jumpsteady, has released two albums on Psychopathic Records (The Chaos Theory and Master of the Flying Guillotine) and was known as the "Psychopathic Records Don" from 1992 until he left in 2005 to become a paramedic; he regained the position when he returned in 2012. Bruce has one niece through Jumpsteady, named Samantha.

Bruce has two children with Michelle "Sugar Slam" Rapp: a son named Joseph "JJ" Bruce II, born in 2005, and a daughter named Ruby Bruce, born in 2006. Bruce and Rapp married on Father's Day, June 16, 2013. On the same day he released a single titled "Fuck My Dad (Richard Bruce)". In February 2016 Bruce and Sugar Slam mutually separated on good terms. Bruce has recorded tracks specifically for his children entitled "Song 4 Son" for his son and "Ruby Song" for his daughter.

In 2016 Bruce began dating artist Blahzay Roze, but they broke up later that year. On June 17, 2017, he released the music video for the 2013 Father's Day Single titled "Fuck My Dad (Richard Bruce)" and featured appearances from Lyte, Shaggy 2 Dope, Jumpsteady, their younger sister Denise, and Violent J's kids Ruby and JJ.

In support of his daughter's interest in the furry fandom, he declared himself "a juggalo furry" and attended Midwest Furfest with her in December 2018. During the convention, he sometimes dressed in a fursuit with sewn-in juggalo makeup made by "DraconicKnight".

Health In 2021, Bruce announced that he was suffering from atrial fibrillation and subsequently announced ICP's farewell world tour taking place the following year. He assures that he will continue to play live when he is physically able.

Legal troubles Bruce, along with his bandmate Joseph Utsler, has had numerous run-ins with the law, having been arrested multiple times starting at the age of 17: this experience convinced him to reduce his involvement in gang life. 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. On June 15, 2001, Bruce was arrested in Columbia, Missouri for an outstanding warrant in 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 pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor assault in the second degree and was sentenced to 12 months' unsupervised probation.

Discography

Solo (1990–present) Wizard of the Hood EP (July 22, 2003) (Psychopathic Records) The Shining (April 28, 2009) (Psychopathic Records) Brother EP (E & J Tour - 01/03/2019-02/13/2019) (Psychopathic Records) Bloody Sunday (February 17, 2023) (Psychopathic Records) American Life/Lives (TBA) (Psychopathic Records) Walking Home (TBA) (Psychopathic Records) Karma Forest (TBA) (Psychopathic Records)

w/Insane Clown Posse (1991–present)

Dog Beats (February 4, 1991) (Psychopathic Records) Carnival of Carnage (October 18, 1992) (Psychopathic Records) Beverly Kills 50187 (July 16, 1993) (Psychopathic Records) Ringmaster (January 28, 1994) (Psychopathic Records) Riddle Box (October 10, 1995) (Psychopathic Records) The Great Milenko (June 25, 1997) (Psychopathic Records) The Amazing Jeckel Brothers (May 25, 1999) (Psychopathic Records) Bizaar (October 31, 2000) (Psychopathic Records) Bizzar (October 31, 2000) (Psychopathic Records) The Wraith: Shangri-La (November 5, 2002) (Psychopathic Records) The Wraith: Hell's Pit (August 31, 2004) (Psychopathic Records) The Tempest (March 20, 2007) (Psychopathic Records) Bang! Pow! Boom! (September 1, 2009) (Psychopathic Records) The Mighty Death Pop! (August 14, 2012) (Psychopathic Records) The Marvelous Missing Link: Lost (April 28, 2015) (Psychopathic Records) The Marvelous Missing Link: Found (July 31, 2015) (Psychopathic Records) Fearless Fred Fury (February 15, 2019) (Psychopathic Records) Yum Yum Bedlam (October 31, 2021) (Psychopathic Records) The Naught (August 12, 2025) (Psychopathic Records)

w/Dark Lotus (1998–2017) Tales from the Lotus Pod (July 17, 2001) (Psychopathic Records) Black Rain (April 6, 2004) (Psychopathic Records) The Opaque Brotherhood (April 15, 2008) (Psychopathic Records) The Mud, Water, Air & Blood (July 29, 2014) (Psychopathic Records)

w/Psychopathic Rydas (1999–2017) Dumpin' (1999) (Joe & Joey Records) Ryden Dirtay (GOTJ 2001) (Joe & Joey Records) Check Your Shit In Bitch! (GOTJ 2004) (Joe & Joey Records) Duk Da Fuk Down (GOTJ 2007) (Joe & Joey Records) EatShitNDie (GOTJ 2011) (Joe & Joey Records)

w/Soopa Villainz (2002–2005; 2018–present) Furious (August 16, 2005) (Psychopathic Records)

w/The Killjoy Club (2013–2016; 2018) Reindeer Games (September 2, 2014) (Psychopathic Records)

w/3 Headed Monster (2023–present) Obliteration (June 1, 2023) (Psychopathic Records) Rampage (September 13, 2023) (Psychopathic Records)

Group membership JJ Boys (1988–1989) Inner City Posse (1989–1991) Insane Clown Posse (1991–present) Golden Goldies (1995) Dark Lotus (1998–2017) Psychopathic Rydas (1999–2017) Soopa Villainz (2002–2005; 2018–present) The Bloody Brothers (2005; 2018–present) The Killjoy Club (2013–2016; 2018) The Loony Goons (2017–present) 3 Headed Monster (2023–present)

Filmography Backstage Sluts (1998), as Violent J Backstage Pass (1999), as Violent J Big Money Hu$tla$ (2000), as Big Baby Sweets/Ape Boy Bowling Balls (2004), as J Death Racers (2008), as Violent J Aqua Teen Hunger Force (2010), as Violent J Big Money Ru$tla$ (2010), as Big Baby Chips 1000 Ways to Die (2011), as Violent J Bunker Heights (2026), as Joe

Championships and accomplishments Juggalo Championship Wrestling JCW Tag Team Championship – (3 times) with Shaggy 2 Dope (2, first) and 2 Tuff Tony (1)