Horrorcore Music Guide: 3 Characteristics of Horrorcore Music

Horrorcore is a subgenre of hardcore rap that delves into horror themes such as death, violence, slasher films, and Satan worship. It also goes by the names horror rap and death rap. Horrorcore lyrics frequently reference horror films, violence, human sacrifice, cannibalism, mutilation, and Satan worship. Many horrorcore tracks are built on a foundation of synths and samplers that evoke fear and dread. Leading horrorcore rappers like Gravediggaz, Esham, Insane Clown Posse, Insane Poetry, the Geto Boys, Flatlinerz, Three 6 Mafia, Tech N9ne, Necro, Twiztid, Ganksta N-I-P, and Brotha Lynch Hung draw influence from both hardcore rappers and death metal bands.

Boutique record labels like Detroit-based Psychopathic Records (owned by the members of Insane Clown Posse) and Brooklyn-based Psycho+Logical-Records (owned by Necro) have dedicated themselves to supporting the horrorcore genre. Meanwhile, some horrorcore albums have appeared on mainstream hip-hop music labels, such as those by Gravediggaz (a side project from RZA of Wu-Tang Clan).

Horrorcore traces its roots to spooky, often tongue-in-cheek hip-hop tracks from the 1980s. With time, horrorcore became its own distinct subgenre and lyrics became darker and more serious.

• 1980s origins: The earliest horrorcore songs did not come from self-identified horrorcore rappers. Instead, they were one-offs from artists known for other styles of hip-hop music. Examples include 1980's "Adventures of Super Rhyme" by Jimmy Spicer, "A Nightmare on My Street" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, and "Are You Ready for Freddy" by the Fat Boys. The latter two songs were both released in 1988 and featured lyrics about horror icon Freddy Krueger. A far darker early horrorcore track was "Assassins" by the Geto Boys, who never fully embraced the genre but inspired many death rap artists.
• Self-identified horrorcore: Some groups consciously described themselves as horrorcore. These include Ganksta N-I-P, who initially called his sound "psycho rap." Kool Keith claimed to have invented the horrorcore genre, and he notably built his brand with 1996's Dr. Octagonecologyst.
• A surge in the 1990s: The 1990s saw many new groups trying on horrorcore for size. Some began in other genres, such as Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, which had been known for gangsta rap but embraced horrorcore on 1995's E. 1999 Eternal. Others took on horror early in their careers, like Insane Clown Posse, Flatlinerz, Mars, and Necro.
• Continued success in the internet age: The internet has helped horrorcore communities connect. New installments in the free horrorcore mixtape Devilz Nite are released online every Halloween. SoundCloud has also helped spread horrorcore songs, including prominent tracks by Tyler, the Creator and his Odd Future collective. Many of the newer horrorcore acts hail from the traditional hip-hop capitals of New York, Detroit, Atlanta, and Houston, which underscores the link between horrorcore and mainstream rap.

A few notable bands have shaped the horrorcore genre.

1. 1. Esham: Esham's 1989 debut album, Boomin' Words from Hell, used dark, graphic imagery to describe life in Detroit during the 1980s and 1990s. He was a major influence on fellow Detroiters Insane Clown Posse and appeared on ICP's debut album. Esham eschews the term horrorcore, preferring to categorize himself as acid rap.
2. 2. Insane Clown Posse: Notorious for their violent lyrics and an infamous fan base known as Juggalos, Insane Clown Posse has been a flagship of the horrorcore scene for nearly three decades. Heavily influenced by fellow Detroit artist Esham, ICP rapped about horror movies and the occult as a way to differentiate themselves within the larger hip-hop scene. The duo—known individually as Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope (Joseph Utsler)—cofounded a music label called Psychopathic Records expressly dedicated to the horrorcore genre. Many of the group's lyrics describe a supernatural purgatory space called the Dark Carnival.
3. 3. Gravediggaz: Gravediggaz might be considered a horrorcore supergroup, as it consists of hip-hop stars RZA, Prince Paul, Frukwan, and Poetic. The group's debut album, 6 Feet Deep, is one of the top-selling horrorcore records of all time. Its lead single, "Diary of a Madman," references an album by heavy metal star Ozzy Osbourne.
4. 4. The Geto Boys: Hailing from Houston, the Geto Boys (featuring MCs Bushwick Bill, Scarface, and Willie D on vocals, and DJ Ready Red supplying beats) did not dwell exclusively in horrorcore, yet they produced some of the genre's most acclaimed songs. Many can be found on their 1991 record We Can't Be Stopped, including "Mind Playing Tricks on Me" and "Chuckie" (co-written by Ganksta N-I-P). "Mind of a Lunatic," from 1989's Grip It! On That Other Level, is another elemental track in horrorcore history.
5. 5. Insane Poetry: A rare west coast standout in the horrorcore scene, Insane Poetry hailed from Los Angeles. Their 1992 album Grim Reality largely uses horror themes for social commentary—establishing a clear connection with genre pioneer Esham.

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