A Juggalo is a member of the subculture that has grown up around the fanbase of the Detroit rap group Insane Clown Posse, and related recording artists at Psychopathic Records.
Much of the predominant philosophy of the subculture stems from The Dark Carnival, a fictional mythology that was carried as a theme in six ICP albums known as the Joker's Cards. Group member Violent J explained the term's origins in the ICP documentary, Behind the Paint, saying that during a live performance of "The Juggla" from the Carnival of Carnage album, he had spontaneously addressed the audience: "What about you Juggalo? Are there any Juggalos in here?", and the name stuck. He also said in the 2002 Wraith seminar that he does not like the word because many people think that it only refers to the male fanbase; it in fact refers to all fans, male or female. Regardless, some prefer the term "Juggalette" to refer to members of the female fanbase, as evidenced by the "Miss Juggalette" pageant held yearly at the Gathering of the Juggalos.
The Juggalo community (also referred to as the Juggalo Family) started in the early 1990s. As seen in other subcultures, from parallels in music came parallels in interests, style, and slang. The subculture is mostly junior high to high school age, racially diverse, and racial tolerance is emphasized. Facepainting in the style of ICP and other Psychopathic Records artists is a common practice at Juggalo-oriented social events.
Also characteristic of the Juggalo subculture is a devotion to the inexpensive soft drink Faygo, popularized by ICP.
The Gathering of the Juggalos
The Gathering of the Juggalos (also known simply as The Gathering or GOTJ) is an annual event for the Juggalo Family put on by Psychopathic Records; the first was staged in 2000. It is regarded highly by Juggalos, and is considered by the Juggalos to be a family reunion of sorts. The event spans several days, and includes concerts, wrestling, games, contests, autograph sessions, and seminars with artists.
At the 2002 Gathering Bubba Sparxxx received the first ever "Bubba Sparxxx Award", obviously named after him. Unofficially, the "award" is given to the artist who leaves the main stage before his performance is over. Artists have been known to leave because of heavy booing, too much trash being thrown, or out of anger towards the fan base. Every year it is common to hear juggalos' input on who will receive the "award" that year. Since the 2002 Gathering other notable artists such as Bushwick Bill, Kurupt, and Too $hort have received the "award".
Earlier Gatherings were plagued with problems such as fires and unruly behavior that prompted the intervention of police and firefighters. After 2002, the Gathering became an outdoor event, and was held at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park for a number of years.
According to the Quarry Park's owner, Evan Kelley, the grounds will no longer host this event after the 2005 Gathering. 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." [3]
The seventh annual Gathering of the Juggalos was set to take place at The Lotus Fields on July 13–July 16, 2006 in Brooklyn, Michigan (West of Detroit, Michigan). The board of Woodstock Township, Michigan, in control of necessary outdoor concert zoning permits denied permits at a meeting on April 11, 2006. The C3 zoning permit wording was loose, and could be interpreted such that additional outdoor concert permits were not necessary, but the board decided to read it by the letter. Psychopathic Records was told that if they represented country artists they would be allowed to hold the event.[citation needed] Psychopathic Records took legal advice concerning this, while booking another location.
On April 18, 2006, Psychopathic Records announced that a Gathering would go ahead, the new location being dubbed The New Lotus Fields — in Pataskala, Ohio (East of Columbus) at Frontier Ranch. It took place over the same dates that were planned for the Brooklyn event. A disc, Underdogz EP, was handed out at the event.
2000: Expo Center, Novi, Michigan
2001: Seagate Center, Toledo, Ohio
2002: Civic Center, Peoria, Illinois
2003: Nelson Ledges Quarry Park (The Crystal Forest), Garrettsville, Ohio
2004: Nelson Ledges Quarry Park, Garrettsville, Ohio
2005: Nelson Ledges Quarry Park, Garrettsville, Ohio
2006: Frontier Ranch (The Lotus Fields), Pataskala, Ohio
[edit]
Alleged Juggalo Violence
Because of a perceived connection with gang violence, many younger members of the subculture are prohibited from wearing ICP paraphernalia while at school. This scrutiny may not be entirely unwarranted, as there have been numerous incidents with self-proclaimed Juggalos committing violent acts.[4] As the public face of the Juggalo subculture, Psychopathic Records and Insane Clown Posse have repeatedly denounced violence within the fandom.
On February 1, 2006, self-proclaimed Juggalo Jacob D. Robida engaged in a series of hatchet attacks and a shooting spree which left three dead, including himself and a police officer. ICP has released a statement in which they revile Robida's actions and extended their condolences to the families of his victims.
Between June 18 and June 20 2006, more attacks involving machetes and self-proclaimed Juggalos, some wearing the clown makeup, was reported by the Seattle Times.[5]
During the nights of June 19 and 20th, 2006, another series of attacks by self-proclaimed Juggalos left nearly two dozen injured. The group, armed with machetes, attacked, robbed, and threatened to decapitate visitors to Fort Steilacoom Park in Tacoma, Washington, shouting "Woo, woo, juggalo!" Seven suspects have been arrested, and three have been charged with assault and robbery.[6]
[edit]
Juggalo Charities
In 2004, the first and largest Juggalo-oriented non-profit organization emerged from the Juggalo Community. Known as The Juggalo Care Package Program or "The J.C.P." this program was founded by Rev. Drew Ullrich, known to the Juggalos as "Rev. Sid." The organization centers around the collection of letters, messages, and other donations, which along with many other things, are packaged up, and sent to Juggalos in the military.