Interview With a Juggalo

 Being peripherally involved with but not a part of a different tribe sometimes offers the opportunity to learn about it and gain a greater understanding of what it is all about. As one who appreciates the music and message of the Insane Clown Posse without identifying myself as a Juggalo, I wanted to find out more about the unique tribe of ICP…fans? Is that the right word? It’s good enough for our purposes. My interview subject is my twin brother, Tim, a self-avowed Juggalo who doesn’t mind talking about his favorite musicians. He is not quoted verbatim; I took some liberties with the wording, but I ran it all by him and he agrees that I captured what he wanted to say.

Q. Tim, when did you start identifying as a Juggalo?

A. Since the age of 15. While I enjoy all kinds of music, my go-to for any occasion is one ICP album or another. I am deep into the ICP culture, having listened to their music for over half of my life and living the ICP message.

Q. Who is ICP?

A. The rap duo that makes up the Insane Clown Posse, or ICP, both of whom are named Joseph, use the stage names Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. They wear black and white face paint that somewhat resembles clown makeup without really being clown makeup. There are no red noses or fright wigs, just designs rendered in greasepaint. Their career in entertainment started in underground wrestling rings in Detroit, Michigan in the 80’s. Eventually, they started rapping to pay for their wrestling hobby, which they continued for years after the music really started to pay off. While they were never on the radio or MTV, they gained a loyal cult following that spans the globe.

Q. What is your favorite ICP album, and why?

A.  Riddle Box. This album was the first one I listened to. Riddle Box was the third Joker’s Card.

Q. “Joker’s Card?”

A. The Joker’s Cards are the album covers for six of their albums: Carnival of Carnage, The Ringmaster, Riddle Box, The Great Milenko, Jeckel Brothers, and The Wraith. The mythos is that when the sixth Joker’s Card drops, the world will come to an end. They even perform a song called “The Unveiling” that depicts their version of the apocalypse.

Q. What is their music like?

A. The theme of the artists’ work is overall brutally violent, but in a somehow satisfying way. The carnage in the music is more cathartic than anything. Nobody is going out and actually ripping off faces or cutting out “chicken feathers” (collar bones), but singing about it is another way to vicariously fight back against the unfairness of the world. The violence is so over-the-top, it becomes more like humor than serious threats of brutality. It is all part of the performance; ICP doesn't encourage their listeners to become violent.  They are angry at the world for all the right reasons, primarily injustice and prejudice. In their shoes, one might even do the same, although probably not using the same methods. However, there are enough touching, nostalgic songs mixed in with all the stabbing that remind you that behind the paint, they are just two guys who know how to put on a show.  

Q. What is the origin of the word “Juggalo?”

A. The history of the term “Juggalo” (Feminine version: “Juggalette” Synonym: “Ninja”): The term “Juggalo” comes from a song written and performed by the Insane Clown Posse titled “Juggla,” which is a play on “jugular.” The artists themselves did not invent the term “Juggalo;” it was coined by fans first and then ICP just ran with it and started using the word in their songs. (For example: “What is a Juggalo?” from the album “The Great Milenko.”) A Juggalo/Juggalette is part of a fairly large family of people who appreciate not only the music of ICP, but also their message. Being a Juggalo or Juggalette is a lifestyle.

Q. So, how do Juggalos identify one another?

A. One tribal indicator is called the Hatchet Man, a pendant showing a man with wild hair running with a hatchet. Upon spotting a person wearing a Hatchet Man, one may offer a call such as “Whoop, whoop!” or “What’s up, Ninja?” or even “Who’s goin’ chicken huntin’?” and is almost guaranteed to get a response. While there are other such calls and responses, these are the most common.

Q. What are ICP’s live concerts like?

A. For one thing, they drench the audience in Faygo, a caffeine-free soda that features largely in ICP music and culture. The beverage is thrown or even drop-kicked into the air above the crowd, spraying diet root beer in all directions. They know how to entertain the audience, working the whole stage with backup clowns wearing more clown-like outfits and makeup. They involve the fans during their shows, such as the call “Who’s goin’ chicken huntin’?” to which the audience would respond, in unison: “We’s goin’ chicken huntin’!” (It was during that song in concert that the Juggalos in attendance actually broke the floor, which dropped two feet into the subfloor.) Here’s an interesting story: During one concert, the performers were notified that there was a young girl lost in the crowd. They called the show to a temporary halt and called upon the gathered Juggalos to stop what they were doing and locate the missing girl. (They found her and she was fine.)

Q. What is the best thing about ICP and Juggalo culture?

A. How relatable it is. ICP speaks to the misfits, those who were bullied in school and felt like nothing. There is some hope in their message, that things do get better. Juggalos are a family, and we look out for each other and back one another up. This is a tribe for those who don’t fit anywhere else. It’s a way to belong somewhere, to be able to share something important with others.

Juggalos are some of the most harmless, friendly people you could meet, especially when you show respect for their tribe and its customs. Whether you care for the music or not, it is hard not to like those who do.