Twiztid


Twiztid is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan, known for both their horror-themed lyrics and rock-influenced sound. Formed in 1997, Twiztid is composed of rappers Jamie "Madrox" Spaniolo and Paul "Monoxide" Methric. Spaniolo and Methric are also members of the group House of Krazees with Bryan "The R.O.C." Jones, which formed in 1992.
Twiztid was signed with Psychopathic Records from 1997 to 2012. They released their debut album, Mostasteless, in 1998. In addition to the duo's involvement in side projects such as Psychopathic Rydas and Dark Lotus, the releases of Freek Show, Mirror Mirror, and The Green Book established Twiztid within the horrorcore subgenre and juggalo fanbase. After two solo albums and three Twiztid albums from 2004 to 2007, the duo released their most commercially successful album in 2009, W.I.C.K.E.D., which peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard 200 chart. After the release of Heartbroken & Homicidal in 2010 and Abominationz in 2012, Twiztid departed from Psychopathic in late 2012.
Although 2013's A New Nightmare was essentially released without backing from a label, Twiztid eventually formed their own label in 2014, Majik Ninja Entertainment. Around the same time, Spaniolo and Methric reformed House of Krazees with Jones as a side project. 2015's The Darkness then became Twiztid's first album on the MNE label. Their subsequent album in 2017, The Continuous Evilution of Life's ?s, notably appeared on the most Billboard charts in Twiztid's career with seven total. Around the same time, Twiztid established the yearly Astronomicon event which focused on video games, horror films, comic books, and musical acts. Twiztid then released six additional albums between 2019 and 2022. Both Methric and Spaniolo individually released their second solo albums in 2024, followed by another solo album from Spaniolo in early 2025. Twiztid's most recent album, Welcome to Your Funeral, was released in 2025.

History

House of Krazees and signing to Psychopathic Records (1992–1997)

Prior to Twiztid, Jamie Spaniolo and Paul Methric were members of the hip hop trio House of Krazees alongside Bryan Jones. They performed under the personas of Mr. Bones, Hektic, and The R.O.C. respectively. The group released five albums in the 1990s before Methric and Spaniolo departed in 1997. Jones continued using the House of Krazees name for a few years before turning to a solo career instead.
After the split, Methric and Spaniolo sent a demo tape to Insane Clown Posse member Joseph Bruce, which also featured their friend Chris Rouleau, under the name ISI. The demo contained the tracks "2nd Hand Smoke", "Diemuthafuckadie", and "How Does It Feel?". 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 better fit the duo—"Twiztid". They also took the stage names of Monoxide Child and Jamie Madrox.

''Mostasteless'', side projects, and ''Freek Show'' (1998–2001)

Twiztid's debut album, Mostasteless, was originally released independently by Psychopathic Records in August 1998. A few of the tracks were conceived while the duo performed under their old personas of Mr. Bones and Hektic, while the other tracks were finished by Mike E. Clark of Psychopathic Records. When Insane Clown Posse signed with Island Records, they helped get a deal for Twiztid as well. In 1999, Mostasteless was pulled, and re-released on Island with a slightly altered tracklist and new artwork. In his review of the reissued album, AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that " 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 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". The reissue of Mostasteless peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart and at No. 149 on the Billboard 200 chart.
After the release of the Mostasteless albums, Twiztid continued to build their fanbase within the juggalo community by performing at numerous shows and being involved with associated projects. Dark Lotus was the first project that emerged, as it consisted of the then-current roster of Psychopathic Records. Although the debut album had been set for 1999 after the release of the single "Echo Side", the album was delayed and the song instead appeared on Insane Clown Posse's album The Amazing Jeckel Brothers. Another project formed was Psychopathic Rydas, which was a supergroup that consisted of Twiztid, Insane Clown Posse, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, and Myzery. The group took a satirical tone in the lyrics and used well-known gangsta rap beats as the backing music. The group's debut album was released in 1999, titled Dumpin'.
Twiztid was a headlining act at the first Gathering of the Juggalos in July 2000. The event was a success and Twiztid's presence continued for over a decade later. The duo also had made their acting debut in the comedy film Big Money Hustlas. The plot was conceived by Insane Clown Posse and Twiztid. The film was a success as the home video peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Music Videos chart. 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 niche market, but the average hip-hop listener will just have to understand that this is a different kind of album". The album peaked at No. 51 on the Billboard 200 chart. Freek Show also featured producer Fritz the Cat for the first time, who the duo would work with on-and-off throughout their career. Twiztid released their first compilation album titled Cryptic Collection on November 13, 2000. It consisted of studio outtakes, cut songs from the original Mostasteless album, and 1990s tracks from the House of Krazees era.
The duo's close friend and labelmate Blaze Ya Dead Homie released his full-length debut in 2001 titled 1 Less G n da Hood. The album was notable since Twiztid was involved with nearly every track in regards to either production or vocals. In 2001, Dark Lotus had released their long-awaited debut album Tales From the Lotus Pod. Alongside Twiztid and Insane Clown Posse, Marz and Blaze Ya Dead Homie had solidified the lineup as well. The album was a success as it peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, No. 6 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart, and No. 158 on the Billboard 200 chart. Shortly afterwards, Marz had left the group and was replaced by Anybody Killa, who recorded new vocals for the album's reissue in 2002.

''Mirror Mirror'' and ''The Green Book'' (2002–2004)

In April 2002, Twiztid released their first extended play and third major release, 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". Mirror Mirror peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart and at No. 103 on the Billboard 200 chart. The duo then embarked on a national tour to support Mirror Mirror. Footage from the tour was incorporated into a webshow that was hosted by Twiztid titled The Purple Show, which also featured skits and backstage antics. Only four episodes were filmed for The Purple Show before its cancellation; however, it was released on DVD with extra content in early 2003.
For the 2003 version of the nationwide Van's Warped Tour, Twiztid was added to the lineup. Due to the differences in genres at the festival, Twiztid had not received a warm reception overall and they did not return to the festival for over 15 years. On July 1, 2003, Twiztid released their third studio album The Green Book. Madrox referred to the album as a "Juggalo favorite". 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". The Green Book peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart and at No. 52 on the Billboard 200 chart. In October 2003, Twiztid created an annual event named Fright Fest for halloween. The event also featured Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Anybody Killa, JD Tha Weed Man, and the duo's former House of Krazees partner The R.O.C. as performers. An exclusive EP titled Fright Fest 2003 was also released to coincide with the event. Also in 2003, Twiztid had formed a short-lived record label on the side named Majik Recordz. Nothing was released on the label due to the duo's falling out with a business partner.
In 2004, Monoxide released his debut solo album Chainsmoker LP. The album charted at No. 191 on the Billboard 200 chart, No. 14 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart, and No. 3 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. It had featured guests such as Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Anybody Killa, Esham, and Madrox.

''Man's Myth (Vol. 1)'' and ''Mutant (Vol. 2)'' (2005–2006)

Twiztid released their fourth full-length album Man's Myth on June 28, 2005. Man's Myth was the first half of a double album which concluded with the release of Mutant one month later. While Man's Myth featured a hip hop-oriented sound, Mutant featured a rock oriented sound. According to Madrox, "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." Man's Myth peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart, No. 14 on the Billboard Top Rap Albums chart, and No. 62 on the Billboard 200 chart. Mutant peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart, No. 20 on the Billboard Top Rap Albums chart, and No. 80 on the Billboard 200 chart. Ultimately, Man's Myth was commercially and critically more successful than Mutant .
In 2006, Madrox released his debut solo album Phatso. The album charted at No. 107 on the Billboard 200 chart, No. 3 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart, and No. 1 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. A second version of the album was also released, titled Phatso , which featured remixes and new skits.