Homies

Homies are a series of two-inch plastic collectible figurines representing various Chicano Mexican American characters. The line of toys was created by David Gonzales and based on a comic strip that Gonzales created featuring a cast of characters from his youth. Introduced in 1998, Homies were initially sold in supermarket vending machines. Homies have become a highly collectible item among fans, and have spawned many imitation toys.

Background

Gonzales began drawing comics while he was in high school. His amateur comic strip was called The Adventures of Chico Loco, and the characters were based on "barrio guys," as Gonzales grew up on the tough streets of a poverty-ridden Mexican-American neighborhood. The main character, based on Gonzales himself, was called "Hollywood." The strip, which later changed its title to The Adventures of Hollywood, was picked up by Lowrider magazine and published monthly. More and more barrio characters from Gonzales' experiences were introduced to the public through the Hollywood strip — these became "Homies." (The word "homie" [from "homeboy"] is an African-American slang from the southern United States, meaning someone from "back home". In use in the West Coast Latino community for decades, the word "homie" has crossed over into the mainstream culture.)

Homies (song)

"Homies" is a song written by Insane Clown Posse, Mike Puwal and Twiztid for ICP's 2002 album The Wraith: Shangri-La. After the 1992 single "Psychopathic", "Homies" is the second single released by the group to not be produced by Mike E. Clark, who had stopped working with Psychopathic Records due to a disagreement with ICP's Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler. Clark later produced a remix of the song, which appeared on Forgotten Freshness Volume 4, after Clark reconciled with ICP.

A single was released later in the year, and a music video for the song was produced, featuring appearances by the entire Psychopathic Records roster at the time, which included Anybody Killa, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Esham and Zug Izland. The song's lyrics focus on the positive aspects of friendship, and is more upbeat and cheerful than Insane Clown Posse is generally known for. It is also one of the few (if only) songs by the duo that has received positive feedback from critics.

Recording

During the recording of ICP's double album releases Bizzar and Bizaar, the duo had a falling out with producer Mike E. Clark, and decided to record The Wraith: Shangri-La without him. In 2001, Insane Clown Posse built its own studio called "The Lotus Pod" in Detroit, Michigan. After brainstorming in seclusion about the album, the group traveled to recording studios across the United States to produce The Wraith: Shangri-La. They began writing and recording in Dallas, Texas along with Zug Izland and producer Mike Puwal.

The Wraith: Shangri-La

The Wraith: Shangri-La is the eighth studio album by American hip hop group Insane Clown Posse, released on November 5, 2002, by Psychopathic Records. Recording sessions for the album took place in 2002 at multiple recording studios throughout the United States. The album is the first of two albums representing the sixth Joker's Card in the group's Dark Carnival mythology. The album's lyrics describe the titular Wraith's exhibition of heaven.

The album was the first Insane Clown Posse album that producer Mike E. Clark did not contribute to. It features guest appearances by Jumpsteady, Anybody Killa, Zug Izland, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Twiztid and Esham. The Wraith: Shangri-La was released in two different versions as well as in DVD-Audio format. It debuted at number 15 on the Billboard charts, and in 2010, became eligible for gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It is the 6th Joker Card in the first deck, and the group's 18th overall release.