Juggalo

Juggalo is a term created by rapper Violent J for followers of the horrorcore rap group Insane Clown Posse and of their label, Psychopathic Records. The term was derived from one of Violent J's habits, which is constantly inventing strange names and personas for himself in his songs. One of these personalities is The Juggla, a psychotic carnival juggler, and somehow the fans came to be known as "Juggalos" in homage. The term Juggalo is a universal term used both men and women, while Juggalette is a term that was created to by the fans for a female fan. The term is often confused with merely being a fan of Psycopathic Records due to the tight connections Juggalos have to Insane Clown Posse and their record label; many Juggalos see Juggalism as a subculture or even a way of life.

Origins

Violent J has always had interest in creating new words and word substitution. One early example is during his youth, when he started calling himself, his brother and friends Floobs. Years later, during Insane Clown Posse's Ringmaster era, it is believed that he started calling his fans Juggalos, after the song The Juggla. The term has since been expanded to someone who is more than a fan of Insane Clown Posse, though when exactly this came about is unknown.

After the release of their fourth album The Great Milenko, ICP found themselves caught in an updraft of popularity caused by issues with their record label Hollywood Records, which is owned by Disney. The band unofficially weeded out casual listeners from ICP's more prevalent followers, who seemed to understand the strong message behind each Insane Clown Posse release. Taking this a step further, their sixth album, The Wraith: Shangri-La, was a polarizing force in the group's fanbase, as the true nature of The Dark Carnival was revealed: the Carnival was, in actuality, God, and each album prior to Shangri-La was one of God's tests inside the Carnival; should one truly pass all of the tests, the Wraith would take them to Shangri-La; if they succeded by luck, they would be taken to Hells Pit. When this revelation was revealed in the final track on the album, "The Unveiling", many fans became extremely upset and began to dislike and discredit the band intensly. Those who could look past the graphic lyrics and who understood and appreciated the message were considered true Juggalos, both by the group and the stronger end of the fanbase.

Juggalo as Subculture

The Juggalo community (also referred to as the Juggalo Family) had its semi-official creation in the early nineties; the result of social outcasts brought into a union through the music they enjoy (in this case, Insane Clown Posse explicitly). As seen in other subcultures, from parallels in music came parallels in interests, style and diction (see below for a list of slang terms.) Much like urban culture, the Juggalo community is racially diverse, with African, Hispanic and Asian members amidst the larger European ancestry. Unlike urban culture, however, the social behaviour of Juggalos is highly varied, and causes members grief in fully defining what a Juggalo is. Juggalo personalities can range from strong and outgoing to shy and timid, while their careers could range anywhere from street hustlers to computer analysts. Like religions, it is merely the principles and adherence to them that defines a Juggalo (although it is worth noting that some offshoots of main religious branches do forego some of their principles.) Painting one's face in the style of the members of Insane Clown Posse has been referred to as the unofficial membership badge.

One looming conflict within the Juggalo community is that the term "Juggalo" has never been clearly defined by any one person. Insane Clown Posse have not commented on the subject, since the term has only truly been definable by their fanbase. It is generally accepted that someone who can understand and appreciate the underlying message of Insane Clown Posse's music, as well as able to adhere strictly to a defined code of ethics and morals is a Juggalo; those who stray from the path are not considered Juggalos. Since the fanbase comes in all races, genders and classes, it is impossible to distinguish who a Juggalo is from looks alone.

The Juggalo Code

Anyone who takes claim to the name of "Juggalo" (or "Juggalette", for women) to follow the ways of the Juggalo. If the Code isn't followed, they are often not accepted as Juggalos and at times, depending on the persons involved, are branded "Juffalos" or "Juggahos", slang terms for "poseur".

Juggalos are encouraged to follow one's instincts and to believe and be one's self, while popularity and striving for acceptance is strongly discouraged. Also strongly discouraged is discrimination and/or prejudices based on other people's race, religion, nationality, or social background; instead, Juggalos are expected to judge others by their personalities rather than their clothing. For the Juggalo community, the overall message of staying true to oneself and refusing to change for anyone is the true meaning and purpose of living.

Some of the expectations placed on Juggalos are basic human traits, such as loyalty, honesty and selflessness, with loyalty playing a huge factor. Juggalos carry lots of pride and are extremely loyal to themselves and their fellow Juggalos, whom they support without question. In a sense, this is similar to the mentality of a street gang; this notion has come under fire from opposing figures of gangs and cliques. Despite the intense loyalty between Juggalos, it is favourable to still be viewed as an outcast. The comeraderie between Juggalos has led to an explosion of pride between Juggalos, who are all too happy to admit that they are Juggalos and are "down with the Clown". Some have even coined the term "Juggalo Power" for the increase in energy and stamina associated with having pride and strength that various Juggalos seem to experience.

It has been stated by Shaggy 2 Dope that "even some dude who doesn’t even listen to ICP or Psychopathic Records can be a Juggalo, because it’s about more then just listening to the music." Although enjoying both is favourable, neither is as important as sharing the same ideology as other Juggalos.

Conflicts

Juggalism has met resistance on several fronts. The easiest to examine is the parental front, who often become confused and frightened by the idea of their child being involved in a street group that enjoys rap music. Many parents find the idea of rapping clowns taking themselves seriously as a large joke and will dismiss Juggalism as pure fanaticism. Since parents usually discourage their children from painting their faces any time of the year other than Halloween, they will also frown upon their child sporting face paint similar to that of ICP's members.

Juggalo Pride has led to the idea that there is a strong gang mentality in the Juggalo community, to the point where Juggalos are considered actual gang members. As a result, several splinter groups have followed the gangster approach and have appeared in newspaper editorials which explain the social detriment Juggalism has on its followers. Juggalos universally dismiss these individuals on the grounds that they are missing the point completely.

Many schools oppose to any graphic association with gangs and/or rap music, and Insane Clown Posse is no exception. Some schools even force students to remove or reverse their T-shirts to avoid conflicts with other students and staff members. Schools also oppose the wearing of face paint on any day other than Halloween or its nearest school day.

Juggalo Terms

The following is a partial list of slang terms usually used by Juggalos in conversation. For a more complete list, see the links section.

• Chicken - A term first used in the song "Chicken Huntin’", meaning "racist".
• Clown Luv - A term used to show the love Juggalos have for one another, first heard on Shaggy 2 Dope’s solo CD Fuck Off.
• Cotton Candy - A sexually explicit term meaning vagina, first heard on Tunnel of Love EP on the song "Cotton Candy"
• Dark Carnival – The said driving force of ICP and Juggalos. After The Wraith: Shangri-La It was found out it was the supreme being. All 6 Joker’s Cards, were based on this divine being and the supposed apocalypse.
• Faygo - A cheap soda ICP has been drinking since their youth and today also douse it on Juggalos during a concert show.
• Juggalo Power- An unexplainable internal power that Juggalos apparently possess; whether this is comparable with an adrenaline rush is subjective.
• Hound Dog - A term for a fan who obsesses over a group for no apparent reason. See also: Juggaho.
• Juffalo - A fake Juggalo who does not follow the ways of the Juggalo or who has fallen from them.
• Juggaho - A person who listens to Psychopathic Records artists for superficial reasons only.
• MCL - Abbreviation for “Much Clown Love.” There are also other variations of the abbreviation such as, MFCL, MNCL, MMFCL and etc.
• Missy - A term for a large overweight woman. Comes from Insane Clown Posse’s movie Big Money Hustlas.
• Neden - A term for a vagina.
• Ninja - Argued as either a replacement for the word nigga or just comes from Violent J’s childhood fascination with Ninjas. It’s used to identify another Juggalo, such as “What up, Ninja?”
• Nizzos - A term for a man’s testicles.
• Piggy – A common termed used for an officer of the law.
• Props - Term for giving someone encouragement or recognition of one’s work.
• Scrub - Term for a poor individual.
• Sheep - A word for anyone, including Juggalos, who blindly follow without question. Also known as “Juggasheep.”
• Wang – A term for a man’s penis.
• Wikkit - An alternation of the word “Wicked.”

Known Artists Associated with Juggalos

• Insane Clown Posse aka ICP
• Twiztid
• Blaze Ya Dead Homie aka Blaze
• Anybody Killa aka ABK
• Jumpsteady
• Dark Lotus
• Psychopathic Rydas
• Soopa Villainz
• Vanilla Ice

"Non-Psychopathic" Artists

• Snoop Dogg – Worked with ICP on The Amazing Jeckel Brothers
• Ice T – Worked with ICP on Psychopathics from Outer Space
• Myzery – Was on Psychopathic Records for the recording of Psychopathic Rydas and Para La Isla
• Marz – Was going to sign with Psychopathic Records, before being booted after the recording of Tales From The Lotus Pod.
• Kottonmouth Kings - A group that started off down in California. Featured in the songs Pumpkin Carvers and Wicket Clowns.
• Three 6 Mafia - A group that arose in the early to mid 90s. Featured on Twiztid's second Debut album Freek Show (where its at) with Blaze and ABK
• Kid Rock - During their early years, ICP had often added other, non-psychopathic artists. Kid Rock was one of them. Specifically in the song "Is That You?" on Carnival of Carnage, which also featured Esham before he signed to Psychopathic Records.
• Esham Esham has had a long history with ICP, dating back to 1991. In October of 2005 Esham left Psychopathic Records on good terms with everyone at Psychopathic Records to our knowlege.
• John Kickjazz - Though he was once apart of ICP, he has since never appeared on any Psychopathic CD. His last work was on Carnival of Carnage and he was Violent J's best friend and Shaggy 2 Dope's brother.
• Greez E - After John's leaving, ICP felt they needed a 3rd member so people wouldn't think that they were breaking up. For this they recruited Greez E. He only stayed for on CD called Beverly Kills 50187. Since then it's just been Shaggy and J.
• Ol' Dirty Bastard - While doing some lyrics for Bitches, Ol Dirty Bastard featured ICP on his song Dirty & Stinkin'
• Vanilla Ice - ICP has done a few tracks with the old Vanilla Ice, notably Insane Killas
• Layzie Bone - Featured in the song Hydro from Twiztid's Album The Green Book LP
• Wolfpac - Featured on Twiztid's The Green Book Tour and on a track called Christmas in the Hood with Twiztid and Blaze Ya Dead Homie

External links

• Glossary of Juggalo Slang
• A site which claims to end all discussion on what a Juggalo is
• Lyrics to "The Unveiling"