View source for Juggalo

{{Short description|Fan of hip hop group Insane Clown Posse}}
{{For|the street gangs|Juggalo gangs}}
{{Distinguish|Gigolo}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{pp-move}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}

[[File:Juggalo car.jpg|thumb|A car painted with a reproduction of the [[Psychopathic Records]] logo and the word ''juggalo'']]

[[File:Ripminddetergent.png|thumb|A juggalo on his bike in California]]

A '''juggalo''' (feminine '''juggalette''', or '''juggala''' in Spanish)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://pottymouthposse.weebly.com/1/post/2015/02/this-blog-is-all-about-juggalos-and-nothing-else.html |title=Juggalo (feminine Juggalette, or Juggala in Spanish speaking countries) is a name given to fans of the group Insane Clown Posse or any other Psychopathic Records hip hop group. Juggalos have developed their own idioms, slang and characteristics |website=Juggalos |access-date=June 9, 2021 |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204050334/http://pottymouthposse.weebly.com/main-page/this-blog-is-all-about-juggalos-and-nothing-else |url-status=live }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=July 2023}} is a [[Fan (person)|fan]] of the [[hip hop music|hip hop]] group [[Insane Clown Posse]] or any other hip hop group signed to [[Psychopathic Records]]. Juggalos have developed their own idioms, slang, and characteristics.<ref name="SLUG">{{cite web |author=Mike Brown |title=Mike Brown's Juggalodown |url=http://www.slugmag.com/article.php?id=1349 |date=July 2008 |publisher=SLUG Magazine |access-date=2009-07-08 |archive-date=May 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231151/http://www.slugmag.com/article.php?id=1349 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Gathering of the Juggalos]],<ref name="Communication and Culture Online">{{cite journal |last1=Neely |first1=Anthony |last2=Marone |first2=Vittorio |date=2014 |title=From fan to fam: The bonding 'counters' in the Juggalo culture |url=http://www.komunikacijaikultura.org/KK5/KK5NeelyMarone.pdf |journal=Communication and Culture Online |volume=5 |issue=1 |pages=252–266 |access-date=2015-09-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091234/http://www.komunikacijaikultura.org/KK5/KK5NeelyMarone.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }}</ref> alternatively known as just "The Gathering", is a notable annual [[festival]] held by juggalos and the artists that they support, which have included rap stars such as [[Busta Rhymes]], [[Ice Cube]], and [[MC Hammer]]; over its first eleven events (2000–2010),{{update after|2019|11|18}} the festival drew a total attendance of about 107,500 fans, averaging nearly 9,800 per year, with a peak of 20,000 in 2010.<ref name="BillboardAttendance">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/468853/insane-clown-posse-juggalos-will-love-charlie-sheen-bobby-brown-at-gathering |title=Insane Clown Posse: Juggalos Will Love Charlie Sheen, Bobby Brown at Gathering |first=Gary |last=Graff |date=2011-07-29 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date=2019-11-17 |archive-date=November 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106104415/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/468853/insane-clown-posse-juggalos-will-love-charlie-sheen-bobby-brown-at-gathering |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History ==

The term juggalo originated during a 1994 live performance by [[Insane Clown Posse]]. During the song "The Juggla", [[Violent J]] addressed the audience as ''Juggalos'', and the positive response resulted in Violent J and [[Shaggy 2 Dope]] using the word thereafter to refer to themselves and their friends, family, and fans, including other [[Psychopathic Records]] artists.<ref name="BehindthePaint231">{{cite book |last1=Bruce |first1=Joseph |author-link=Violent J |last2=Echlin |first2=Hobey |editor=Nathan Fostey |title=ICP: Behind the Paint |url=https://archive.org/details/icpbehindpaint00viol |url-access=registration |date=August 2003 |edition=2nd |publisher=Psychopathic Records |location=Royal Oak, Michigan |isbn=0-9741846-0-8 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/icpbehindpaint00viol/page/n248 237]–238 |chapter=Ringmaster's Word}}</ref> The fanbase boomed following the release of their third album, ''[[Riddle Box]]'', in 1995, leading Insane Clown Posse to write the songs "What Is a Juggalo?" and "Down With the Clown" for their 1997 album ''[[The Great Milenko]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Violent J of Insane Clown Posse |url=https://www.avclub.com/violent-j-of-insane-clown-posse-1798227342 |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |access-date=July 9, 2012 |author=Nathan Rabin |date=August 12, 2011 |archive-date=September 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110911224217/http://www.avclub.com/articles/violent-j-of-insane-clown-posse,60282/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Characteristics ==

The [[Americana (music)|roots music]] journal ''[[No Depression (magazine)|No Depression]]'' classified Juggalos as "[[goth subculture|goth]] clowns", as well as "a true community of music-lovers with a strange and warped view of today’s music scene and a strong connection to modern [[hillbilly]] culture."<ref name=Music>{{cite web |url=https://www.nodepression.com/hillbilly-hip-hop-lives-go-juggalo/ |title=Hillbilly Hip Hop LIVES! Go Juggalo! |last=Music |first=Hearth |date=August 15, 2010 |publisher=[[No Depression (magazine)|No Depression]] |access-date=2022-09-13 |archive-date=September 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914015927/https://www.nodepression.com/hillbilly-hip-hop-lives-go-juggalo/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to [[Shaggy 2 Dope]], "[Juggalos come] from all walks of life &ndash; from poverty, from rich, from all religions, all colors. ... It doesn't matter if you're born with a silver spoon in your mouth, or a crack rock in your mouth."<ref>{{cite news |title=Insane Clown Posse is back in the Dark Carnival |url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10140/1059302-388.stm |first=Scott |last=Mervis |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=May 20, 2010 |access-date=22 May 2010 |archive-date=April 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424073016/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10140/1059302-388.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Juggalos have compared themselves to a family.<ref name="McDevitt">{{cite news |first=Katie |last=McDevitt |title=''Fans or gang? Meet the Juggalos'' |url=http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/article_8f52abae-e15e-551d-98e0-eda625c749b6.html |newspaper=[[East Valley Tribune]] |date=July 27, 2008 |access-date=4 April 2009 |archive-date=June 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100608202100/http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/article_8f52abae-e15e-551d-98e0-eda625c749b6.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Cizmar">{{cite web |first=Martin |last=Cizmar |title=Insane Clown Posse's Juggalos Aren't a Gang – Just Punk Kids |url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2008-11-20/music/insane-clown-posse-s-juggalos-aren-t-a-gang-just-punk-kids |website=[[Phoenix New Times]] |date=November 18, 2008 |access-date=4 April 2009 |archive-date=February 21, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221215445/http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2008-11-20/music/insane-clown-posse-s-juggalos-aren-t-a-gang-just-punk-kids |url-status=live }}</ref> However, the subculture is most predominant in rural North America.<ref name="Music" />

Common characteristics of identifying a member of the Juggalo subculture are as follows:

* Drinking and spraying the inexpensive soft drink [[Faygo]]<ref>{{cite news|last=Hotts|first=Mitch|title=Insane Clown Posse inspires pop vandalism (with video)|url=http://www.dailytribune.com/article/20120627/NEWS01/120629692/insane-clown-posse-inspires-pop-vandalism|access-date=15 July 2012|newspaper=The Daily Tribune|date=27 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703091401/http://www.dailytribune.com/article/20120627/NEWS01/120629692/insane-clown-posse-inspires-pop-vandalism|archive-date=2012-07-03|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Walker|first=Rob|department=Consumed|title=When Celebrity Endorsements Are Unwanted|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/magazine/29FOB-Consumed-t.html|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=15 July 2012|date=27 August 2010|archive-date=September 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929154157/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/29/magazine/29FOB-Consumed-t.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 
* Listening to [[horrorcore]] and other types of [[underground rap]] music
* Wearing [[face paint]], generally those either like an [[evil clown]] or perhaps similar to [[corpse paint]]
* Wearing [[Psychopathic Records#Hatchet Gear|Hatchet Gear]] or Chapter 17 branded clothes
* Having the Hatchet man logo applied on personal effects and, die cast, worn as jewelry
* Doing hair in the "spider legs" style, i.e. like the [[Twiztid]] members<ref name="McDevitt" />
* Displaying the gesture of "wicked clown", the "westside" sign with the left hand and the "C" sign in [[American Sign Language]] with the right, with arms crossed over
* Making and responding to "whoop whoop" calls
*Expressing a (generally) [[tongue-in-cheek]] obsession with [[murder]], committed with a [[blade]] weapon

Juggalos view the lyrics of Psychopathic Records artists, which are often violent, as a catharsis for aggression.<ref name="Stevens">{{cite news |first=Bill |last=Stevens |title=Gulf High's Juggalo Cleanup Crew displays edgy look, genuine caring |url=http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/article987870.ece |newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |date=March 29, 2009 |access-date=4 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090405023047/http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/article987870.ece |archive-date=5 April 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Florangela |last=Davila |title=Hanging with the Juggalos |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20060718/juggalo18/hanging-with-the-juggalos |newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]] |date=July 18, 2006 |access-date=11 April 2009 |archive-date=August 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811191527/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20060718&slug=juggalo18 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Many characteristics of the Juggalo culture originated in the 1980s, when Joseph Bruce (Violent J) and his family were living in [[Poverty in the United States|poverty]]. He and his brother [[Robert Bruce (rapper)|Robert]] received all their clothes from rummage sales, and their food from canned food drives held at their school.<ref name="BehindthePaint35">{{cite book |last1=Bruce |first1=Joseph |author-link=Violent J |last2=Echlin |first2=Hobey |editor=Nathan Fostey |title=ICP: Behind the Paint |url=https://archive.org/details/icpbehindpaint00viol |url-access=registration |date=August 2003 |edition=2nd |publisher=Psychopathic Records |location=Royal Oak, Michigan |isbn=0-9741846-0-8 |page=[https://archive.org/details/icpbehindpaint00viol/page/n46 35] |chapter=The Floobs}}</ref> Due to their poverty, the Bruce Brothers were the butt of many jokes in school. However, the brothers were not ashamed of their living standards and instead embraced them.<ref name="BehindthePaint35" /> Joe even made a name for themselves, Floobs.<ref name="BehindthePaint35" /> According to Joe, a Floob was essentially a scrub, but not just an ordinary scrub. A Floob "wore the same old shoes and shitty clothes from rummage sales ... but ... didn't even have to be cool. [Floobs] turned [their] scrubbiness into something [they] could be proud of."<ref name="BehindthePaint35" /> Though Joe only specifically names himself and his brother as Floobs, he alludes to other Floobs whom he had not met or known of, but were living in the same conditions as he and his brother; the respect that Floobs had for each other and their family-like embrace of likewise people influenced the philosophy held among Juggalos.<ref name="BehindthePaint35" />

== Charities, benefits and community activity of Juggalos ==

=== The Dead Stephanie Memorial Cleanup ===

Since 2008, [[Florida]] Juggalos organized The Juggalo Cleanup Crew to pick up trash for the Dead Stephanie Memorial Cleanup, in honor of Stephanie Harris, a high school student who died of diabetes in 2008.<ref name=newportrichey>{{cite web |last=Greene |first=Richard D. |url=https://patch.com/florida/newportrichey/juggalo-crew-polishes-community-and-image |title=Juggalo Cleanup Crew Polishes Community and Image |work=Patch |location=New Port Richey, Florida |date=2011-03-05 |access-date=2021-08-11 |archive-date=August 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811190917/https://patch.com/florida/newportrichey/juggalo-crew-polishes-community-and-image |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Bill Stevens |url=http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/article987870.ece |title=Gulf High's Juggalo Cleanup Crew displays edgy look, genuine caring |newspaper=Tampa Bay Times |date=2009-03-28 |access-date=2014-01-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012052029/http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/article987870.ece |archive-date=2012-10-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Hatchet House and community outreach ===

In [[Buffalo, New York]], a group of Juggalos formed the Juggalos outreach program and started cleaning up Buffalo's East Side.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://buffalo.twcnews.com/content/news/783851/juggalos-clean-up-an-east-side-neighborhood/|title=Juggalos Clean Up An East Side Neighborhood |first=Stephen |last=Marth |date=November 12, 2014|work=Time Warner Cable News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150118205633/http://buffalo.twcnews.com/content/news/783851/juggalos-clean-up-an-east-side-neighborhood/ |archive-date=January 18, 2015}}</ref> In addition to the community cleanup, they run Hatchet House. The Hatchet House operates a 24/7 helpline referring community members in crises to services and serves as a base of operations for volunteer work and community service programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/230968/juggalos-launch-community-outreach-program/|first=Joe |last=Veix |date=November 11, 2014 |title=Juggalos launch community outreach program|website=deathandtaxes |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150118205625/http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/230968/juggalos-launch-community-outreach-program/|archive-date=January 18, 2015}}</ref>

=== Juggalos Making A Difference (J.M.A.D.) ===

Juggalos in [[Denver, Colorado]] founded the [[charitable organization]] {{em|Juggalos Making A Difference}}.<ref name=riverfronttimes>{{cite news |last=Maletsky |first=Kiernan |url=http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/rftmusic/2011/11/juggalo_gang_fbi_charity_christmas_toy_drive.php |title=If Juggalos Are A Gang, Why Are They Starting Charities? |work=Riverfront Times |date=2011-11-01 |access-date=2014-01-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110182935/http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/rftmusic/2011/11/juggalo_gang_fbi_charity_christmas_toy_drive.php |archive-date=2014-01-10 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Juggalo gangs==
{{Main|Juggalo gangs}}

Although the Juggalo subculture stems from the [[horrorcore]] subgenre of the general hip hop music fandom,  criminal and gang-related activity has been attributed to self-described 'Juggalos' in recent years,{{When|date=January 2018}} including [[assault]]s,<ref name="ngic report">{{cite web |url=http://info.publicintelligence.net/NGIC-Juggalos.pdf |title=National Gang Intelligence Center Juggalos Intelligence Report |publisher=Public Intelligence |date=2012-03-26 |access-date=2012-11-08 |archive-date=January 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129093748/http://info.publicintelligence.net/NGIC-Juggalos.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="fbi report">{{cite web |url=https://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/2011-national-gang-threat-assessment |title=FBI — 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment |publisher=Fbi.gov |access-date=2012-11-08 |archive-date=June 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619180553/https://www.fbi.gov/stats-services/publications/2011-national-gang-threat-assessment/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="juggalo killers">{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Jessica |url=http://www.standard.net/topics/gangs/2010/10/09/juggalo-killers-new-breed-gang |title='Juggalo Killers' a new breed of gang |publisher=Standard.net |date=2012-10-08 |access-date=2012-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307215830/http://www.standard.net/topics/gangs/2010/10/09/juggalo-killers-new-breed-gang |archive-date=2013-03-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Illegal drug trade|drug trafficking]],<ref name="ngic report" /><ref name="fbi report" /> [[vandalism]],<ref name="ngic report" /> [[burglary]],<ref name="fbi report" /> shootings,<ref name="fbi report" /> theft,<ref name="ngic report" /><ref name="fbi report" /> [[robbery]],<ref name="fbi report" /> and numerous [[murder]]s.<ref name="ngic report" /><ref name="juggalohio murder">{{cite web |url=http://trenchreynolds.me/2012/04/09/a-gathering-of-juggalos-accused-in-grisly-ohio-murder/ |title=A gathering of Juggalos accused in grisly Ohio murder &#124; Trench Reynolds |publisher=Trenchreynolds.me |date=2012-04-09 |access-date=2012-11-08 |archive-date=March 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130323132020/http://trenchreynolds.me/2012/04/09/a-gathering-of-juggalos-accused-in-grisly-ohio-murder/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="juggalo price murder">{{cite web |author=Andrew Scott |url=http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20090425%2FNEWS%2F904250348%2F-1%2FLIVING100105 |title=Teens to be tried in Price Township 'Juggalo' murder |publisher=PoconoRecord.com |date=2009-04-25 |access-date=2012-11-08 |archive-date=December 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214232443/http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20090425%2FNEWS%2F904250348%2F-1%2FLIVING100105 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="vasey abc one">{{cite web |last=Bashir |first=Martin |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/law-enforcement-claims-horrorcore-genre-incites-crime/story?id=9739420#.UJtSV-Sunww |title=Law Enforcement Claims 'Horrorcore' Genre Incites Crime - ABC News |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date=2010-03-09 |access-date=2012-11-08 |archive-date=September 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918115335/https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/law-enforcement-claims-horrorcore-genre-incites-crime/story?id=9739420#.UJtSV-Sunww |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Interaction between violent and nonviolent Juggalos ===

According to a 2011 [[National Gang Intelligence Center]] report, the Juggalo subculture is split between violent and nonviolent factions. Some members of the Juggalos street gang even look down on non-criminal Juggalos, considering them to be weak,<ref name="ngic report" /> and criminal Juggalo gangs have committed attacks on non-gang-related Juggalos.<ref name="JK">{{cite news |author=Jessica Miller |url=http://www.standard.net/topics/gangs/2010/10/09/juggalo-killers-new-breed-gang |title='Juggalo Killers' a new breed of gang |newspaper=The Standard-Examiner |date=2010-10-11 |access-date=2014-01-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130307215830/http://www.standard.net/topics/gangs/2010/10/09/juggalo-killers-new-breed-gang |archive-date=2013-03-07 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Both Juggalo gang affiliates and nonviolent Juggalos believe in the Juggalo "family." However, some nonviolent Juggalos do not believe that any gang-related activity should be associated with the Juggalo lifestyle.<ref name="ngic report" />

=== Public and artist reactions ===

The Insane Clown Posse filed a lawsuit against the FBI about the gang-listing.<ref name="fbi lawsuit">{{cite web |author=File Photo |url=http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2012/09/insane_clown_posse_files_suit.html |title=Insane Clown Posse suing FBI in Flint federal court over Juggalo gang listing |date=September 26, 2012 |publisher=MLive.com |access-date=2012-11-08 |archive-date=November 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104202030/http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2012/09/insane_clown_posse_files_suit.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2012, ICP agreed to withdraw their involvement as plaintiffs.<ref>{{cite web |author=ScottyD |url=http://www.faygoluvers.net/v5/2013/01/update-on-psychopathics-lawsuit-against-the-fbi/ |title=Update on Psychopathic's lawsuit against the FBI! |publisher=Faygoluvers |date=2013-01-08 |access-date=2014-01-10 |archive-date=February 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212143031/http://www.faygoluvers.net/v5/2013/01/update-on-psychopathics-lawsuit-against-the-fbi/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Psychopathic Records launched the website juggalosfightback.com for fans to submit stories about unfair treatment by law enforcement. ICP hopes to use these stories in their legal battle to declassify Juggalos as a gang.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dodero |first=Camille |title=Insane Clown Posse Actually, Legitimately, Amazingly is Suing the FBI |url=http://gawker.com/5946200/insane-clown-posse-actually-legitimately-amazingly-is-suing-the-fbi |publisher=[[Gawker]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212132800/http://gawker.com/5946200/insane-clown-posse-actually-legitimately-amazingly-is-suing-the-fbi |archive-date=2013-02-12}}</ref>

The classification of Juggalos as a criminal gang was ridiculed by the technology magazine ''[[Wired magazine|Wired]]'' in a November 2011 article, with journalist [[Spencer Ackerman]] referring to previous scandals involving FBI harassment of [[Muslim-Americans]].<ref name="wired juggalos">{{cite magazine |author=Spencer Ackerman |author-link=Spencer Ackerman |url=https://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/10/fbi-gang-insane-clown-posse/ |title=FBI's Newest Gang Threat: Insane Clown Posse Fans &#124; Danger Room |magazine=[[Wired magazine|Wired]] |access-date=2012-11-08 |archive-date=March 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323014439/http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/10/fbi-gang-insane-clown-posse |url-status=live }}</ref>

On January 8, 2014, Insane Clown Posse along with the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan filed suit again against the FBI. The suit aims to have Juggalos no longer considered to be a gang and to have any "criminal intelligence information" about Juggalos destroyed.<ref name="fbi lawsuit 2">{{cite news |last=Itzkoff |first=Dave |title=Insane Clown Posse Defends Fans, With F.B.I. Lawsuit |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/09/arts/music/insane-clown-posse-defends-fans-with-f-bi-lawsuit.html |access-date=8 January 2014 |newspaper=NY Times |date=8 January 2014 |archive-date=January 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109032013/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/09/arts/music/insane-clown-posse-defends-fans-with-f-bi-lawsuit.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Gathering of the Juggalos ==
{{Main|Gathering of the Juggalos}}

The '''Gathering of the Juggalos''' ('''The Gathering''' or '''GOTJ''') is an annual festival put on by Psychopathic Records, featuring performances by the entire label as well as numerous well-known musical groups and [[underground music|underground artists]]. It was founded by Robert Bruce, Insane Clown Posse, and its label in 2000. The Gathering has featured bands of a variety of genres within hip hop and rock, though the majority of the acts perform [[horrorcore]] and [[hardcore hip hop]], similar to that of Psychopathic Records artists.<ref name="BehindthePaint470">{{cite book |last1=Bruce |first1=Joseph |author-link=Violent J|last2=Echlin |first2=Hobey |editor=Nathan Fostey |title=ICP: Behind the Paint |url=https://archive.org/details/icpbehindpaint00viol |url-access=registration |date=August 2003 |edition=2nd |publisher=Psychopathic Records |location=Royal Oak, Michigan |isbn=0-9741846-0-8 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/icpbehindpaint00viol/page/n480 470]–496 |chapter=Hatchet Rising}}</ref><ref name="Stern9109">{{cite serial |title=ICP on Howard Stern 9.1.09 
 |url=http://www.insaneclownposse.com/media/interview/icp_howard_stern_090901.mp3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025164844/http://www.insaneclownposse.com/media/interview/icp_howard_stern_090901.mp3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2019-10-25 |series=The Howard Stern Show  |series-link=The Howard Stern Show |credits=Howard Stern (host) and Insane Clown Posse (guests) |network=[[Sirius Satellite Radio]] |station=[[Howard 100 and Howard 101|Howard 100]] |airdate=1 September 2009 |minutes=3:00 }}</ref>

Described by Joseph Bruce as a "Juggalo Woodstock",<ref name="BehindthePaint470" /> the Gathering of the Juggalos spans four days and includes concerts, wrestling, games, contests, autograph sessions, karaoke, and seminars with artists. According to the roots music journal ''No Depression'', the event displays the Juggalo culture's connection to hillbilly culture, by featuring "backyard wrestling, [[Wild West]] imagery, [[county fair]] performers like [[Naughty by Nature]] and [[Gallagher (comedian)|Gallagher]] [and] acres and acres of white guys [wearing [[Sleeveless shirt|wife beater]] shirts] getting high."<ref name="Music" /> Over its first eleven events, the festival has drawn an attendance of about 107,500 fans.<ref name="BillboardAttendance" />

In July 2012, the media organization ''[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]'' released ''American Juggalo'', a twenty-minute film documenting the festival, through their subsidiary music channel, Noisey. Sean Dunne directed the work.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/noisey-specials/american-juggalo |title=NOISEY SPECIALS - "AMERICAN JUGGALO," A FILM BY SEAN DUNNE - NOISEY SPECIALS - NOISEY |work=NOISEY |access-date=May 9, 2014 |archive-date=May 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512220421/http://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/noisey-specials/american-juggalo |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On August 9, 2013, 24-year-old Cory Collins died at the festival, following three more deaths at previous festivals.<ref>{{cite AV media |title = Man Found Dead At 14th Annual Gathering Of The Juggalos |date = August 12, 2013  |url = http://news.radio.com/2013/08/12/man-found-dead-at-14th-annual-gathering-of-the-juggalos/ |last = ((Reuters)) |first = Annie |publisher = CBS Local Media |work = Radio.com |access-date = August 28, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130817105824/http://news.radio.com/2013/08/12/man-found-dead-at-14th-annual-gathering-of-the-juggalos/ |archive-date = 2013-08-17 |url-status = dead}}</ref>

== Juggalo Day ==

In 2012, Shaggy and Violent J created the annual Juggalo Day, a yearly event to thank and celebrate its fans.<ref>{{Cite news |title = THANK YOU FOR MAKING JUGGALO DAY 2012 OFF THE CHAIN! |url = http://www.juggalowrestling.com/?p=384 |publisher = Juggalowrestling.com |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150701082552/http://www.juggalowrestling.com/?p=384 |archive-date = 2015-07-01}}</ref>

2013 started the album shows, playing a joker card album from front to back. 2013 was the "Riddle Box Show" in Detroit.<ref>{{Cite news |title = ICP's Juggalo Day (Riddle Box Show edition) – Detroit, MI |url = http://www.faygoluvers.net/v5/events/icps-juggalo-day-riddle-box-show-edition-detroit-mi/ |publisher = Faygoluvers.net |access-date = July 1, 2015 |archive-date = September 24, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924025414/http://www.faygoluvers.net/v5/events/icps-juggalo-day-riddle-box-show-edition-detroit-mi/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

2014 was the "Great Milenko Show" in Columbus, Ohio.<ref>{{Cite news |title = 2nd Annual Juggalo Day (The Great Milenko Show) – Columbus, OH |url = http://www.faygoluvers.net/v5/events/2nd-annual-juggalo-day-the-great-milenko-show-columbus-oh/ |publisher = Faygoluvers.net |access-date = July 1, 2015 |archive-date = September 24, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924025411/http://www.faygoluvers.net/v5/events/2nd-annual-juggalo-day-the-great-milenko-show-columbus-oh/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

2015 had the free concert called "Take Me Home" at the [[Detroit Masonic Temple]].<ref>{{Cite news |title = Tickets For Juggalo Day: The Take Me Home FREE Concert are now AVAILABLE on Hatchetgear |url = http://www.faygoluvers.net/v5/2015/01/tickets-for-juggalo-day-the-take-me-home-free-concert-are-now-available-on-hatchetgear/ |publisher = Faygoluvers.net |access-date = July 1, 2015 |archive-date = September 24, 2015 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924011156/http://www.faygoluvers.net/v5/2015/01/tickets-for-juggalo-day-the-take-me-home-free-concert-are-now-available-on-hatchetgear/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

== In popular media ==

[[File:Juggalo face paint.jpg|thumb|A man in Juggalo face paint next to a small child]]

Psychopathic Records launched the professional wrestling company [[Juggalo Championship Wrestling]] in 1999.

In 2009, [[List of films released by Psychopathic Video|Psychopathic Video]] filmed a documentary about Juggalos entitled ''[[A Family Underground]]''.<ref>{{cite news |first=Adam |last=Graham |title=''ICP's annual Halloween bash brings the insane circus to town'' |url=http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20081030%2FOPINION03%2F810300303 |newspaper=[[The Detroit News]] |date=October 30, 2008 |access-date=2008-11-02 |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204050317/https://www.detroitnews.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="WFWJan09">{{cite video |people=[[Insane Clown Posse]] (presenters) |date=2009-01-27 |title=Weekly Freekly Weekly January Edition |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbT1_Ja4qNY | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/MbT1_Ja4qNY| archive-date=2021-11-14 | url-status=live|format=internet news |publisher=[[Psychopathic Records]] |location=[[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]] |access-date=2009-01-30 |time=7:45 }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="WFWApr09">{{cite video |people=[[Violent J|Fats Pepper]] (presenter) |date=2009-04-11 |title=Weekly Freekly Weekly April 2009 |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4QziQf6WyU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/Z4QziQf6WyU| archive-date=2021-11-14 |url-status=live|format=internet news |publisher=[[Psychopathic Records]] |location=[[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]] |access-date=2009-04-12}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Mainstream media has also made references to the Juggalo subculture. In 2009, [[television]] [[sketch comedy]] ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' began a reoccurring series of sketches about the "Kickspit Underground Rock Festival" which parodies Juggalos and the Gathering of the Juggalos.<ref name="Hammerstein">{{cite news |title=Detroit rappers ICP amused by recent SNL skit |first=B.J. |last=Hammerstein |url=http://www.freep.com/article/20091208/ENT04/91208066/1320/SNL-parodies-infomercial-by-Detroit-rappers-ICP- |newspaper=[[Detroit Free Press]] |date=December 8, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110185747/http://www.freep.com/article/20091208/ENT04/91208066/1320/SNL-parodies-infomercial-by-Detroit-rappers-ICP- |archive-date=January 10, 2014}}</ref><ref name="GOTJSNL">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/02/arts/music/insane-clown-posse-at-gramercy-theater-bamboozle-festival.html |title=Beneath the Greasepaint, the Roar of 'Fam-i-ly!' |author=Dave Itzkoff |date=2011-05-01 |work=Music |publisher=The New York Times |access-date=2011-02-22 |archive-date=January 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118235437/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/02/arts/music/insane-clown-posse-at-gramercy-theater-bamboozle-festival.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The following year, the television show ''[[It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia]]'' featured a Juggalo character in the episode "Dee Reynolds: Shaping America’s Youth".<ref name="IASiP">{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/its-always-sunny-in-philadelphia-dee-reynolds-shapin-1798166506 |title=Dee Reynolds: Shaping America's Youth |author=David Sims |date=2010-11-11 |publisher=Onion Inc. |access-date=2011-05-31 |archive-date=September 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929090059/http://www.avclub.com/articles/dee-reynolds-shaping-americas-youth,47381/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011, the television show ''[[Workaholics]]'' aired an episode called "Straight Up Juggahos" that revolved around Juggalos and an Insane Clown Posse concert.<ref name="Workaholics">{{cite web |url=http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2011/05/workaholics_juggalos.php |title=Q&A: Workaholics Director Kyle Newacheck On Setting His Comedy Central Show At The Gathering Of The Juggalos |author=Camille Dodero |publisher=Village Voice, LLC |date=2011-05-19 |access-date=2011-05-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528041228/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2011/05/workaholics_juggalos.php |archive-date=2011-05-28}}</ref> Later that year, an independent documentary entitled ''American Juggalo'' was released.<ref name="AmericanJuggalo">{{cite web |url=http://www.mlive.com/movies/index.ssf/2011/09/video_of_the_day_american_jugg.html |title=Video of the day: 'American Juggalo,' a look inside Insane Clown Posse's annual gathering |author=Aaron Foley |date=2011-09-29 |publisher=Michigan Live LLC |access-date=September 29, 2011 |archive-date=October 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001080619/http://www.mlive.com/movies/index.ssf/2011/09/video_of_the_day_american_jugg.html |url-status=live }}</ref>  ''Gathering Prey'', the 2015 crime novel in the [[Lucas Davenport]] series by [[John Sandford (novelist)|John Sandford]], features a villain named Pilate who, with his disciples, are Juggalos.  Much of the book takes place at the Gathering of the Juggalos.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/i-asked-my-dad-about-john-sandfords-latest-crime-thriller-which-features-juggalos-5721061/video_of_the_day_american_jugg.html |title=I Asked My Dad About John Sandford's Latest Crime Thriller, Which Features Juggalos |author=Chaz Kangas |date=2015-07-02 |publisher=LA Weekly, LLP |access-date=2015-10-13}}{{dead link |date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> The 2018 film [[Family (2018 film)|Family]] includes characters that identify as Juggalos and a pivotal scene takes place at a Gathering of the Juggalos.

=== Notable Juggalos ===

Several celebrities and other well-known figures have identified themselves as Juggalos. These include actors [[Kane Hodder]]<ref name="Kane">{{cite web |author=Eugene Morton |title=The Five Best Actors To Play Jason Voorhees |url=http://g4tv.com/attackoftheshow/blog/post/693233/The-Five-Best-Actors-To-Play-Jason-Voorhees.html |work=Attack of the Blog! |publisher=G4 Media, Inc |date=2009-02-12 |access-date=2009-04-07 |archive-date=August 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830013204/http://g4tv.com/attackoftheshow/blog/post/693233/The-Five-Best-Actors-To-Play-Jason-Voorhees.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Charlie Sheen]];<ref>{{cite web |last= |title=Charlie Sheen -- I'm A Hardcore JUGGALO |url=http://www.tmz.com/2011/07/06/insane-clown-posse-charlie-sheen-gathering-of-the-juggalos-appearance-fee-salary/ |publisher=TMZ.com |access-date=15 July 2012 |date=July 7, 2011 |archive-date=September 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110908071857/http://www.tmz.com/2011/07/06/insane-clown-posse-charlie-sheen-gathering-of-the-juggalos-appearance-fee-salary/ |url-status=live }}</ref> professional wrestlers [[Kazushige Nosawa]],<ref name="Nosawa">{{cite web |author=Corporal Robinson  |title=The State of the Game  |url=http://juggalowrestling.com/iframe.php?page_id=sotg_02  |date=June 12, 2007  |publisher=Psychopathic Records |access-date=2009-04-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805050752/http://juggalowrestling.com/iframe.php?page_id=sotg_02 |archive-date=August 5, 2009 }}</ref> [[Vampiro]],<ref>{{cite web |author=Vampiro |title=For my Juggalo brothers and sisters |url=http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=85060951&blogId=141684162 |date=July 7, 2006 |publisher=[[MySpace]] | access-date=2009-04-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802235921/https://myspace.com/ |archive-date=August 2, 2013}}</ref> [[Colt Cabana]],<ref name="ColtCabana">{{Cite episode |title=AOW 30: Insane Clown Posse |url=http://tsmradio.com/coltcabana/2011/02/17/aow-30-insane-clown-posse/ |access-date=2011-02-17 |series=Art Of Wrestling Radio |credits=Colt Cabana (Interviewer) and Insane Clown Posse (Interviewees) |airdate=2011-02-17 |time=9:25 |quote=I'm a Juggalo. I have been for a while. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429224726/http://tsmradio.com/coltcabana/2011/02/17/aow-30-insane-clown-posse/ |archive-date=2011-04-29}}</ref> and [[Willie Mack]];<ref name="WillieMack">{{Cite episode |title=AOW 41: Willie Mack |url=http://tsmradio.com/coltcabana/podpress_trac/web/121/0/show41.mp3 |access-date=2011-05-05 |series=Art Of Wrestling Radio |credits=Colt Cabana (Interviewer) and Willie Mack (Interviewee) |airdate=2011-05-04 |time=21:53 |quote=Yeah I'm a Juggalo. }}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and rappers [[Chuck D]],<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Dansby |first=Andrew |title=Violent J on ICP's Bizaar, Bizzar Ride |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/insaneclownposse/articles/story/5940115/violent_j_on_icps_bizaar_bizzar_ride |archive-date=17 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117153737/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/insaneclownposse/articles/story/5940115/violent_j_on_icps_bizaar_bizzar_ride |date=October 22, 2003 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=2009-05-25 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Coolio]],<ref name="Coolio">{{cite web |url=http://www.tmz.com/2010/06/07/coolio-tattoo-insane-clown-posse-tour-juggalo-misspelling-typo/ |title=Coolio's Tattoo Screw Up -- Nothin' But a 'G' Thang |author=TMZ Staff |date=2010-06-07 |publisher=[[TMZ.com]] |access-date=2010-06-07 |archive-date=June 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100607083558/http://www.tmz.com/2010/06/07/coolio-tattoo-insane-clown-posse-tour-juggalo-misspelling-typo/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Kung Fu Vampire]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.juggalonews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1908 |title=Exclusive Interview - Kung Fu Vampire |author=Dark Jedi Hillz |date=December 6, 2009 |publisher=JuggaloNews |access-date=8 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212110642/http://www.juggalonews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1908 |archive-date=2009-12-12 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Murs (rapper)|MURS]],<ref>{{cite web |author=Hodge |title=An exclusive interview with MURS |url=http://www.milenko500.com/mursinterview.htm |publisher=Milenko500 |access-date=2009-05-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523114940/http://www.milenko500.com/mursinterview.htm |archive-date=2009-05-23}}</ref> [[MC Lars]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://faygoluvers.net/v5/2018/05/mc-lars-interview-on-dcg-con-icp-nerdore-more-may-2018/|title=MC Lars Interview on DCG Con, ICP, Nerdcore, more! [May 2018] - Faygoluvers|website=faygoluvers.net|date=May 9, 2018|access-date=September 27, 2018|archive-date=September 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927205752/https://faygoluvers.net/v5/2018/05/mc-lars-interview-on-dcg-con-icp-nerdore-more-may-2018/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Vanilla Ice]].<ref>{{cite web|title=I'm A Survivor: Vanilla Ice |url=http://www.theentertainmentnexus.com/interviews/ten/valillaIce2008Sep.htm |work=Interviews |publisher=The Entertainment Nexus |date=September 2008 |access-date=2009-04-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617235554/http://www.theentertainmentnexus.com/interviews/ten/valillaIce2008Sep.htm |archive-date=2009-06-17}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Juggalo March]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==

* {{cite book |last1=Bruce |first1=Joseph |author-link=Violent J |last2=Echlin |first2=Hobey |editor=Nathan Fostey |title=[[Behind the Paint|ICP: Behind the Paint]] |year=2003 |edition=2nd |publisher=Psychopathic Records |location=Royal Oak, Michigan |isbn=0-9741846-0-8}}
* {{Cite web |last1=Watson |first1=Elijah |title=Yes, Female Juggalos Exist — And They Want You To Know Why They Marched On Washington |work=Bustle |date=2017-09-19 |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/female-juggalos-marched-on-washington-too-they-want-you-to-know-their-community-is-not-just-for-men-2375346 |access-date=2017-09-25 |df=mdy-all}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* [http://juggalosfightback.com/ Juggalos Fight Back], a website established by Insane Clown Posse and Psychopathic Records as part of their legal action against the Federal Bureau of Investigation

{{Insane Clown Posse}}
{{Fandom}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Music fandom]]
[[Category:Insane Clown Posse]]
[[Category:Musical subcultures]]
[[Category:1994 neologisms]]
[[Category:Hip-hop terminology]]