''Tunnel of Love'' is the fourth EP by

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, released on April 19, 1996, by

Psychopathic Records Psychopathic Records is an American independent record label headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The label is most associated with the hip hop music subgenres horrorcore and rap rock. The label was founded in 1991 by Alex Abbiss and hip ...

. It is the third and final "sideshow" entry in the group's Dark Carnival saga.

Background

Unsatisfied with their contract with Jive Records, Insane Clown Posse's manager, Alex Abbiss, set up a deal which would sign the group with Hollywood Records. After their Jive contract expired, ICP had two days on their own before officially being signed to Hollywood, so they decided to record and release an EP independently on

. The EP consisted of "love songs" performed in the duo's trademark style. Like

The Terror Wheel ''The Terror Wheel'' is the second EP by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, released on August 5, 1994 by Psychopathic Records. It is the second "sideshow" entry in the group's Dark Carnival saga. The EP contains six studio tracks. "The ...

, there is a hidden track at the end which contains a phone number, which could be called to reveal the name of the next Joker's Card, ''

The Great Milenko ''The Great Milenko'' is the fourth studio album by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, released on June 24, 1997 by Hollywood Records in association with Psychopathic Records. As the fourth Joker's Card in the group's Dark Carnival m ...

''.

Release and reception

To promote the EP, Psychopathic sent out a pink ''Tunnel of Love'' van with flowers on it. However, this promotional tactic proved to be incomprehensible to many people, who did not understand what the van was promoting, and onlookers yelled

homophobic Homophobia encompasses a range of negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who are identified or perceived as being lesbian, gay or bisexual. It has been defined as contempt, prejudice, aversion, hatred or antipathy, m ...

insults at the drivers. After much disagreement between the heads of Psychopathic Records, label don Billy Bill pulled the van over and removed the wrapping promoting the EP. The album was released in an alternate version with a

pornographic Pornography (often shortened to porn or porno) is the portrayal of sexual subject matter for the exclusive purpose of sexual arousal. Primarily intended for adults,

album cover, and a bonus track, "Mental Warp". The cover was derived from a pornographic film VHS cover which depicted an actor with an erect penis standing next to two women, one of which is holding the erection in her hands. The actor's face was replaced by Shaggy 2 Dope's. Because no stores would stock the album with this cover and it was sold mostly at Insane Clown Posse's concerts, this edition became rare and sought after by fans.

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...

did not review the album, but gave it 3 out of 5 stars.

Allmusic review AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

/ref> "Mental Warp", the bonus track from the XXX edition of the album, also appeared on the compilation '' Forgotten Freshness Volumes 1 & 2''. The songs "Cotton Candy" and "Super Balls" appeared in the film ''

Big Money Hustlas ''Big Money Hustlas'' is a 2000 American comedy film directed by John Cafiero as his feature film debut. The film, a homage to exploitation films of the 1970s, focuses on a streetwise San Francisco detective who tries to take down a New York City c ...

''. The song "Super Balls" originated the Juggalo slang "Whoop whoop!", which is used as a greeting among fans. The greeting and the song were also referenced in

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 ...

's song "Meat Cleaver", which appeared on their 1997 debut ''

Mostasteless ''Mostasteless'' is the debut album by American hip hop duo Twiztid, released on August 4, 1998 by Psychopathic Records. The album was reissued in 1999 with distribution by Island Records and a drastically altered track listing, with tracks added ...

''. The pornographic alternate cover is discussed in the film ''Shockumentary'' by parents concerned about ICP's music.

Track listing

Personnel

Violent J Joseph Frank 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 a co-founder of the record label '' Psychopathic R ...

– vocals * Shaggy 2 Dope – vocals, turntables *

Legz Diamond Richard Murrell is an American guitarist and singer from Detroit, Michigan, United States, better known as Legz Diamond. A former member of the rock band Coup Detroit, Murrell is best known as an affiliate of the hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse, fo ...

– guest vocals *

Mike E. Clark Michael Earl Clark (born December 25, 1962) is an American record producer and DJ from Michigan, best known for working with Kid Rock, Insane Clown Posse, Prozak and Mickey Avalon. Clark has also worked with George Clinton, Patti Smith, R.L. B ...

– turntables, production

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tunnel Of Love (Ep) 1996 EPs Albums produced by Mike E. Clark Self-released EPs Insane Clown Posse EPs Psychopathic Records EPs