Joseph Francis Bruce (born April 28, 1972), known by his stage name
Violent J, is an American rapper, record producer, professional
wrestler, and part of the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. He is
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.Joseph
Bruce is a native of Berkley, Michigan. He 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 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, [they]
will make it to heaven, so that [they] 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 sales, and his food from canned food drives held at his
own school. After moving to Oak Park, Bruce met John Utsler, and his
little brother Joey. He also began his gang life by reluctantly
getting involved in criminal activity in 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.
Violent J, is an American rapper, record producer, professional
wrestler, and part of the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse. He is
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.Joseph
Bruce is a native of Berkley, Michigan. He 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 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, [they]
will make it to heaven, so that [they] 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 sales, and his food from canned food drives held at his
own school. After moving to Oak Park, Bruce met John Utsler, and his
little brother Joey. He also began his gang life by reluctantly
getting involved in criminal activity in 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.
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