Hannicap Circus

{{Infobox album

| name = Hannicap Circus

| type = studio

| artist = Bizarre

| cover = Bizarre Hannicap Circus Album.jpg

| alt =

| released = June 28, 2005

| recorded = 2004–05

| studio = {{hlist|Little Big Room Studios (North Hollywood, CA)|Area 51 (Detroit and Farmington Hills, MI)|54 Sound (Detroit and Ferndale, MI)|Teklab Studios (Cincinnati, OH)|FBT Studios (Ferndale, MI)|Blakeslee Recording Company (North Hollywood, CA)}}

| genre = Hip hop

| length = {{Duration|h=1|m=6|s=45}}

| label = Sanctuary Urban

| producer = {{hlist|Bizarre (exec.)|Jeremy Geffen (exec.)|Max Gousse (exec.)|Mathew Knowles (exec.)|Eminem|Erick Sermon|Hi-Tek|J Thrill|Jake and the Phatman|Luis Resto|Mike Chav|Mr. Porter|Raphael Saadiq|Ruk|Shea|Sicknotes|Silent Riot|Sol Messiah|TNyce{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/1285376-Bizarre-Hannicap-Circus|title=Bizarre - Hannicap Circus (2005, CD)|publisher=Discogs|access-date=June 7, 2022}}}}

| prev_title = Attack of the Weirdos

| prev_year = 1997

| next_title = Blue Cheese & Coney Island

| next_year = 2007

| misc = {{Singles

| name = Hannicap Circus

| type = studio

| single1 = Rockstar

| single1date = June 20, 2005

}}

Hannicap Circus is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Bizarre. It was released on June 28, 2005 via Sanctuary Urban. Production was handled by several record producers, including Hi-Tek, Mr. Porter, Eminem and Erick Sermon. It features guest appearances from D12, Young Miles, Big Boi, Devin the Dude, Dion Jenkins, Fatt Father, King Gordy, Obie Trice, Raphael Saadiq, stic.man, Sindee Syringe, and Torrey Holloway.

Hannicap Circus is a huge reflection of Bizarre's rap persona and stage presence and yet many of the songs carry important subject matter, a bit of Bizarre's past and talking about the state of hip-hop. The album peaked at number 48 on the Billboard 200, selling 21,000 copies for the first week. It spawned only one single: "Rockstar".

Critical reception

{{Music ratings

| MC = 44/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/hannicap-circus/bizarre|title=Reviews for Hannicap Circus by Bizarre|website=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=August 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023042852/https://www.metacritic.com/music/hannicap-circus/bizarre|archive-date=October 23, 2022|url-status=live}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/hannicap-circus-mw0000350426|title=Hannicap Circus - Bizarre|last=Jeffries|first=David|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=August 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220518021202/https://www.allmusic.com/album/hannicap-circus-mw0000350426|archive-date=May 18, 2022|url-status=live}}

| rev2 = The A.V. Club

| rev2score = Unfavorable{{cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/bizarre-hannicap-circus-1798200896|title=Hannicap Circus|last=Rabin|first=Nathan|author-link=Nathan Rabin|newspaper=The A.V. Club|publisher=The Onion|date=July 27, 2005|access-date=November 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127044443/https://www.avclub.com/bizarre-hannicap-circus-1798200896|archive-date=November 27, 2022|url-status=live}}

| rev3 = The Guardian

| rev3score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/jun/24/popandrock.shopping|title=CD: Bizarre, Hannicap Circus|last=Lynskey|first=Dorian|newspaper=The Guardian|date=June 24, 2005|access-date=August 30, 2015|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305090634/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/jun/24/popandrock.shopping|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=live}}

| rev4 = RapReviews

| rev4score = 8/10{{cite web|url=https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2005_06F_hannicap.html|title=Feature for June 28, 2005 - Bizarre's "Hannicap Circus"|last=Juon|first=Steve 'Flash'|website=RapReviews|date=June 28, 2005|access-date=August 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706220314/https://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2005_06F_hannicap.html|archive-date=July 6, 2017|url-status=live}}

| rev5 = Rolling Stone

| rev5score = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/7380867/hannicap_circus|title=Hannicap Circus : Review|last1=Hoard|first1=Christian|last2=Ringen|first2=Jonathan|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media|date=June 30, 2005|access-date=August 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714210923/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/7380867/hannicap_circus|archive-date=July 14, 2007|url-status=dead}}

| rev6 = The Situation

| rev6score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thesituation.co.uk/reviews/05/bizarre.html|title=Bizarre - Hannicap Circus|last=Sajjid|first=Usman|website=The Situation|access-date=August 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051204060037/http://www.thesituation.co.uk/reviews/05/bizarre.html|archive-date=December 4, 2005|url-status=dead}}

| rev7 = Spin

| rev7score = C−{{cite journal|author=Spin|title=Breakdown|journal=Spin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p6-UYTO7l1MC&pg=PA104|access-date=January 15, 2019|volume=21|date=July 2005|issue=7|publisher=Spin Media LLC|page=104|issn=0886-3032}}

}}

Hannicap Circus received mixed reviews from music critics who were less than enthusiastic with Bizarre's brand of humor and drama. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 reviews from mainstream critics the album received an average score of 44, based on 8 reviews.

AllMusic's David Jeffries praised the album for its beats and lyrical content that were more akin to a better produced Insane Clown Posse, calling it "solid, filthy, fun, and everything else that you'd want from a less nimble Kool Keith". Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews found Bizarre's brand of demented shock humor entertaining and is complemented with appropriate production and a cast of equally game featured artists, concluding that "for fans of D12 and/or Hunter S. Thompson, Hannicap Circus is one crazy trip through the mind of a lunatic".

Usman Sajjid of The Situation felt that the material was hampered by the beats and lyricism lacking energy, concluding that "With a moderate effort from D12’s Bizarre, 'Hannicap Circus' may have just exceeded expectations of rap listeners not expecting a strong album". Dorian Lynskey of The Guardian said that the album had potential to be a competent horrorcore effort but was weighted down by Bizarre wanting it to be both humorous and dramatic with neither side fully delivering, concluding that "Hannicap Circus is the last thing you'd expect from a fat, shower-cap-wearing, nipple-rubbing son of a bitch: boring". Nathan Rabin of The A.V. Club heavily criticized Bizarre for his monotonous delivery over subject matter that fails to gain laughs, saying "anyone who doesn't find the topics of pedophilia, drug abuse, or incest innately hilarious will find Hannicap Circus rough going".

Soundtrack

"Gospel Weed Song" is featured during the credits of Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.

Track listing

Credits adapted from Discogs.

{{Track listing

| all_writing =

| headline = Hannicap Circus standard edition

| extra_column = Producer

| total_length = {{duration|h=1|m=6|s=45}}

| title1 = Public Service Announcement

| note1 = skit) (featuring Jeff Bass

| writer1 = {{hlist|}}

| extra1 = {{hlist|}}

| length1 = {{duration|m=0|s=26}}

| title2 = Intro

| note2 = featuring Young Miles

| writer2 = {{hlist|Rufus Johnson|Richard Garcia|Tony Minter}}

| extra2 = {{hlist|Ruk|TNyce}}

| length2 = {{duration|m=1|s=38}}

| title3 = Gospel Weed Song

| note3 =

| writer3 = {{hlist|R. Johnson}}

| extra3 = {{hlist|Shea}}

| length3 = {{duration|m=3|s=35}}

| title4 = Fuck Your Life

| note4 = featuring Sindee Syringe

| writer4 = {{hlist|R. Johnson|D. Johnson|Denaun Porter|Jacque Spears}}

| extra4 = {{hlist|Mr. Porter}}

| length4 = {{duration|m=4|s=29}}

| title5 = Fat Father

| note5 = skit) (featuring Fatt Father

| writer5 = {{hlist|}}

| extra5 = {{hlist|}}

| length5 = {{duration|m=1|s=46}}

| title6 = Let the Record Skip

| note6 = featuring Young Miles

| writer6 = {{hlist|R. Johnson|Garcia|Minter}}

| extra6 = {{hlist|Ruk|TNyce}}

| length6 = {{duration|m=2|s=45}}

| title7 = I'm In Love Witchu

| note7 =

| writer7 = {{hlist|R. Johnson|Tony Cottrell}}

| extra7 = {{hlist|Hi-Tek}}

| length7 = {{duration|m=2|s=44}}

| title8 = Rockstar

| note8 =

| writer8 = {{hlist|R. Johnson|Marshall Mathers|Luis Resto}}

| extra8 = {{hlist|Eminem|Luis Resto{{ref|a|[a]}}}}

| length8 = {{duration|m=3|s=1}}

| title9 = Ghetto Music

| note9 = featuring Swifty McVay, stic.man and King Gordy

| writer9 = {{hlist|R. Johnson|Clayton Gavin}}

| extra9 = {{hlist|Sicknotes}}

| length9 = {{duration|m=4|s=33}}

| title10 = Life Styles

| note10 = skit) (featuring Torrey Holloway

| writer10 = {{hlist|}}

| extra10 = {{hlist|}}

| length10 = {{duration|m=1|s=22}}

| title11 = I'm So Cool

| note11 =

| writer11 = {{hlist|R. Johnson|Michael Chavarria|Timothy Thedford}}

| extra11 = {{hlist|Mike Chav}}

| length11 = {{duration|m=4|s=18}}

| title12 = Porno Bitches

| note12 = featuring Devin the Dude and Big Boi

| writer12 = {{hlist|R. Johnson|Devin Copeland|Antwan Patton|Porter}}

| extra12 = {{hlist|Mr. Porter}}

| length12 = {{duration|m=4|s=38}}

| title13 = Crush on You

| note13 =

| writer13 = {{hlist|R. Johnson|Ernest Franklin, Jr.}}

| extra13 = {{hlist|Sol Messiah}}

| length13 = {{duration|m=2|s=54}}

| title14 = Bad Day

| note14 =

| writer14 = {{hlist|R. Johnson|Willie Albert Goodman|Christopher Jasper|Ernie Isley|Harry Ray|Marvin Isley|O'Kelly Isley Jr.|O'Shea Jackson|Ronald Isley|Rudolph Isley|Sylvia Robinson}}

| extra14 = {{hlist|Erick Sermon}}

| length14 = {{duration|m=5|s=8}}

| title15 = I Need a Friend

| note15 =

| writer15 = {{hlist|R. Johnson|Shaphan Williams}}

| extra15 = {{hlist|Silent Riot}}

| length15 = {{duration|m=2|s=57}}

| title16 = One Chance

| note16 =

| writer16 = {{hlist|R. Johnson|Brian Armstead|Spears}}

| extra16 = {{hlist|J Thrill}}

| length16 = {{duration|m=4|s=3}}

| title17 = Hip Hop

| note17 = featuring Eminem

| writer17 = {{hlist|R. Johnson|Mathers|Cottrell}}

| extra17 = {{hlist|Hi-Tek}}

| length17 = {{duration|m=4|s=31}}

| title18 = Doctor Doctor

| note18 = featuring Obie Trice and Dion

| writer18 = {{hlist|R. Johnson|Cottrell}}

| extra18 = {{hlist|Hi-Tek}}

| length18 = {{duration|m=3|s=43}}

| title19 = Coming Home

| note19 = featuring Kuniva and Raphael Saadiq

| writer19 = {{hlist|

Robert Ozuna*, Jake And The Phatman*, Raphael Saadiq, Taura Jackson*, V. Carlisle*, Yavonne Stinson}}

| extra19 = {{hlist|Raphael Saadiq|Jake and the Phatman{{ref|b|[b]}}}}

| length19 = {{duration|m=3|s=46}}

| title20 = Nuthin' at All

| note20 = featuring Swifty McVay, Kuniva, Kon Artis and Proof of D12

| writer20 = {{hlist|R. Johnson|Porter|Von Carlisle|Ondre Moore|DeShaun Holton}}

| extra20 = {{hlist|Mr. Porter}}

| length20 = {{duration|m=4|s=28}}

}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Japan bonus track{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/4333976-Bizarre-Hannicap-Circus|title=Bizarre - Hannicap Circus (2005, CD)|publisher=Discogs|access-date=June 7, 2022}}

| collapsed =

| extra_column = Producer(s)

| total_length = {{duration|h=1|m=9|s=27}}

| title21 = Scooby Doo

| note21 = featuring Sindee Syringe

| writer21 = {{hlist|}}

| extra21 = {{hlist|}}

| length21 = {{duration|m=2|s=42}}

}}

Notes

{{sup|{{note|a|[a]}}}} signifies an additional producer.
{{sup|{{note|b|[b]}}}} signifies a co-producer.
On the edited version, all skits were cut and it left only 17 tracks. Also all profanity was blanked on the edited version with the exception of "Fuck Your Life", which allegedly contained backmasking.
Dion provides additional vocals on tracks 7 and 18.
Mr. Porter provides additional vocals on track 12.
Shaphan "MAESTRO" Williams provides additional vocals on track 13.

Charts

scope="col"\| Chart (2005) ! scope="col"\| Peak position
class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="row"\| Australian Albums (ARIA Charts){{cite book\|last=Ryan\|first=Gavin\|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010\|year=2011\|publisher=Moonlight Publishing\|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia\|edition=pdf\|pages=30}} \| 67
{{album chart\|France\|184\|album=Hanni Cap Circus\|artist=Bizarre\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=May 24, 2020}}
{{album chart\|UK2\|43\|date=20050703\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=May 24, 2020}}
{{album chart\|Billboard200\|48\|artist=Bizarre\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=May 24, 2020}}
{{album chart\|BillboardRandBHipHop\|26\|artist=Bizarre\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=May 24, 2020}}
{{album chart\|BillboardRap\|12\|artist=Bizarre\|rowheader=true\|accessdate=May 24, 2020}}

References

External links

{{Discogs master|109344|Hannicap Circus}}

Category:2005 debut albums

Category:Bizarre (rapper) albums

Category:Albums produced by Eminem

Category:Albums produced by Hi-Tek

Category:Albums produced by Mr. Porter

Category:Albums produced by Erick Sermon

Category:Albums produced by Raphael Saadiq

Category:Sanctuary Records albums