2 Dope attended elementary school in Oak Park, Mich., though his family would move around the Detroit area. His father, who left the family when 2 Dope was 9, worked at an auto parts store. His mother managed a Taco Bell. In addition to an older brother, John, who was an early member of ICP, 2 Dope has a half brother and lots of step brothers. His parents were "big-time hippies" who were into the drug culture and his mother played music by Bob Seger , the Beatles , Queen and Motown artists. For 2 Dope, though, these artists had little influence. Instead, he started listening to Run-D.M.C. , Whodini and other old-school rappers. Inspired by jazz great Herbie Hancock 's 1983 hit, "Rockit," he taught himself how to do DJ scratches while in fifth grade. Back then, he had a radio with a cassette deck and a record player on top; he used the balance as a fader. After DJing at parties and bars, 2 Dope focused on writing rhymes when ICP formed in the early '90s. Still, he continued to contribute DJ scratches to ICP songs as the horrorcore group went from a local underground sensation to a platinum-selling phenomenon by 1997.

Utsler designed the Psychopathic Records logo, called the Hatchetman, as well as drawing numerous Insane Clown Posse album covers.