From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Insane Clown Posse perform in a 2007 concert to their fans, known as Juggalos.

Juggalo or Juggalette (the latter more commonly used for a female) is a name given to fans of Insane Clown Posse or any other Psychopathic Records hip hop group. Juggalos view their group as one based on a common philosophy, derived from the Dark Carnival, a fictional mythology that was carried as a theme in six Insane Clown Posse albums known collectively as the 6 Joker's Cards.

 Aspects

A Juggalo in clown face paint

A Juggalo styled car. The "hatchet man" is the Psychopathic Records logo and a common Juggalo symbol.

The term originated during a live performance by Insane Clown Posse. During the song "The Juggla", Bruce addressed the audience as Juggalos, and the positive response resulted in the group using the word thereafter to refer to its fans.^[1] The term has also been applied to fans of other Psychopathic Records artists.^[2] Juggalos have compared themselves to a family.^[3][4] Common characteristics include drinking the cheap soft drink Faygo, and wearing face paint.^[3] They view the lyrics of Psychopathic Records artists, which are often violent in nature, as a catharsis for aggression.^[2][5]

Insane Clown Posse and Psychopathic Records have stated that there is no true definition of a Juggalo. In a press release from Insane Clown Posse, they say "there are no requirements to being a Juggalo. We don't care if you spend a dime on merch, or if you know the words to every song. If this music touches you, and you get some positive experience from it, we would be honored to have you consider yourself a Juggalo."^[6] In a 2005 interview, Joseph Utsler explained, "you could be a Juggalo and not even listen to ICP. A Juggalo is a frame of mind and what not. And I was a Juggalo before we started with ICP. [...] You don't even have to fuckin' necessarily listen to [Psychopathic Records] to be a Juggalo. Juggalos are Juggalos."^[7]

Several well known figures have been identified as Juggalos. These include actor Kane Hodder,^[8] professional wrestlers Kazushige Nosawa^[9] and Vampiro,^[10] and rappers Chuck D,^[11] MURS^[12] and Vanilla Ice.^[13] In his book Behind the Paint, Joseph Bruce claims that British band Chumbawamba,^[14] rock bands Foo Fighters^[15] and Slipknot,^[16] guitarist Slash,^[17] and John Cafiero^[18] have identified as Juggalos.

[edit] The Gathering of the Juggalos

The Gathering of the Juggalos is an annual event for the Juggalo Family put on by Psychopathic Records first staged in July 2000.^[19] Described by Bruce as a "Juggalo Woodstock", the Gathering of the Juggalos spans four days, and includes concerts, wrestling, games, contests, autograph sessions, and seminars with artists.^[19] The 2000 Gathering featured Kottonmouth Kings, Project Born, and Vampiro, who both wrestled and performed.^[19] The second Gathering of the Juggalos was held from July 13–July 15 2001 at the SeaGate Convention Centre in Toledo, Ohio.^[19] The event featured the same activities as the first Gathering of the Juggalos, as well as guests such as Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Vanilla Ice, and Three 6 Mafia.^[19] After 2002, the Gathering became an outdoor event, and was held at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park for a number of years. Following the 2005 Gathering, Quarry Park owner Evan Kelley stated that the grounds will no longer host the event. Kelly has said: "Psychopathic Records broke some of the rules set down for the 2005 event, including blasting music all night long", and: "Drugs, alcohol, nudity, profanity and trash also became serious problems."^[20] The 2008 Gathering of the Juggalos was filmed by Psychopathic Video. The documentary, entitled A Family Underground, was released on May 12, 2009.^[21][22][23]

[edit] Public perception and media coverage

Because of a connection with gang violence, some younger members of the subculture are prohibited from wearing Insane Clown Posse paraphernalia while at school. There have been numerous incidents of fans committing violent acts, though there is no independent evidence linking music with violence or crime.^[24] During a recent Utah Gang Conference, law enforcers said they now classified Juggalos as a gang because of a continued pattern of criminal activity.^[25] Juggalos have also been classified as a gang in Arizona.^[4] Juggalos have denied any connection to gang activity.^[4] Arizona police officers have stated that they do not personally believe that Juggalos are a gang.^[4] As the public face of the Juggalo subculture, Psychopathic Records and Insane Clown Posse have repeatedly denounced violence within the fandom. Many of the crimes, including murders, have also been noted by Alex Abiss (Former CEO of Psychopathic Records) as being just crazy individuals finding an excuse for their actions.^[26]