The Shining (Violent J album)

The Shining
Studio album by Violent J
Released	April 28, 2009 (2009-04-28)
Recorded	2008–2009
Studio	Cabin In The Woods (Detroit, MI) The Fun House (Michigan)
Genre	Rap rock horrorcore
Label	Psychopathic
Producer	Mike E. Clark Violent J
Violent J chronology
The Shining (2009) Bloody Sunday (2023)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]

The Shining is the debut solo full-length studio album by American rapper and record producer Violent J. It was released on April 28, 2009, through Psychopathic Records. Recording sessions took place at the Cabin In The Woods Studio and the Fun House Studio in Michigan. Production was handled by Mike E. Clark and Violent J himself. It features guest appearances from Esham, Necro and Shaggy 2 Dope. The album's title and cover art pay homage to Stanley Kubrick's 1980 psychological horror film The Shining.

The album debuted at number 48 on the Billboard 200, number 28 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, number 14 on the Top Rap Albums and number 5 on the Independent Albums charts in the United States.

A music video for the song "Jealousy" was released on May 8, 2009.[2] The song was later used in 2021 documentary music film The United States of Insanity.

Production

Violent J states that he was not interested in developing a career as a solo performer, "but it was my turn at bat, and I wanted to deliver for any Violent J fans that might be out there".[3] Unlike Wizard of the Hood, The Shining does not focus on a single concept or storyline, but instead focuses on multiple stories, themes, and subjects.[3] The title of the album refers to charisma and confidence.[3]

Violent J attempted to provide a variance for listeners by performing with different rapping styles on each track.[3] Mike E. Clark produced the majority of the album, with Eric Davie providing additional production work.[3] "Candyland" was developed during long late night recording sessions with Esham.[3]

Release

The album was originally intended to be released in October 2008, followed by a 20 plus date solo tour across the country.[4] Due to his dislike of touring solo, and wanting to focus more on Insane Clown Posse as a whole, Violent J decided to give away free copies of an early version of the album to those that attended the ninth annual Gathering of the Juggalos seminar.[4]

Due to popular demand, it was announced that Psychopathic Records would release the album nationwide, and it was also given its final title.[5] According to Violent J, the final version of the album is significantly different from the pre-release version, and features improved sound quality, in addition to four new songs not present on the pre-release version.[3] The album was released on Violent J's 37th birthday.

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Joseph Bruce.

No.	Title	Music	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Intro"	Violent J Eric Davie		2:00
2.	"Wake Up"	Mike E. Clark	Mike E. Clark Violent J	3:50
3.	"Fight Club" (featuring Esham and Necro)	Mike E. Clark	Mike E. Clark Violent J	3:27
4.	"When I Rap"	Violent J Eric Davie		2:05
5.	"Candy Land" (featuring Esham)	Mike E. Clark	Mike E. Clark Violent J	4:00
6.	"Get out the Way"	Mike E. Clark	Mike E. Clark Violent J	3:03
7.	"14 Year Old"	Mike E. Clark	Mike E. Clark Violent J	4:02
8.	"I Get Mad"	Mike E. Clark	Mike E. Clark Violent J	3:31
9.	"Faster"	Mike E. Clark	Mike E. Clark Violent J	4:22
10.	"Jealousy"	Mike E. Clark	Mike E. Clark Violent J	3:25
11.	"Home Invasion" (featuring Shaggy 2 Dope)	Mike E. Clark	Mike E. Clark Violent J	4:02
12.	"4 the Hoes"	Violent J Eric Davie		2:49
13.	"Pyromaniac"	Mike E. Clark	Mike E. Clark Violent J	3:37
14.	"Let It Go"	Mike E. Clark	Mike E. Clark Violent J	3:16
15.	"???"	Mike E. Clark	Mike E. Clark Violent J	5:16

Personnel

• Joseph "Violent J" Bruce — lyrics, vocals, producer; programming, engineering, recording & mixing (tracks: 1, 4, 12)
• Esham A. Smith — vocals (tracks: 3, 5)
• Ron "Necro" Braunstein — vocals (track 3)
• Joseph "Shaggy 2 Dope" Utsler — vocals (track 11)
• Juan Ramon "Razor Ray" Reyes — additional guitar (track 10)
• Mike E. Clark — producer; programming, engineering, recording & mixing (tracks: 2, 3, 5–11, 13–15)
• Eric Davie — programming, engineering, recording & mixing (tracks: 1, 4, 12)
• Brian Kuma — recording & mixing (tracks: 1, 4, 12)
• Brian Debler — artwork, layout
• Billy Dail — management

Charts

Chart (2009)	Peak position
US Billboard 200[6]	48
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[7]	28
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard)[8]	14
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[9]	5

References

1. Monger, James Christopher. "The Shining - Violent J | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
2. "Violent J - Jealousy". YouTube. May 8, 2009. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
3. "Violent J Talks About The Shining and A Family Underground". Hatchet Herald. 2 (1). March 23, 2009. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
4. Insane Clown Posse (Presenters). Gathering 2008 - ICP Seminar (Videotape). Event occurs at 1:30. Retrieved 2008-08-17.
5. Violent J, as "Fats Pepper". January 2009 - Weekly Freekly Weekly. Psychopathic Records. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2009-01-27.
6. "The Billboard 200". Billboard. Vol. 121, no. 19. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. May 16, 2009. p. 50. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
7. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Vol. 121, no. 19. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. May 16, 2009. p. 58. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
8. "Top Rap Albums". Billboard. May 16, 2009. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
9. "Top Independent Albums". Billboard. Vol. 121, no. 19. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. May 16, 2009. p. 52. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 10, 2024.

External links

• Violent J – The Shining at Discogs (list of releases)