Closing out 2023 and setting up 2024

 Holy shit it has been 5 years since I posted to this blog!  This is all changing as we close out 2023 and move into 2024.  So what does this mean for the blog?  Well I plan to cover as many concert events as I can this next year, attend the 2024 Gathering of the Juggalos, review as many albums as I can for Faygoluvers.net and most of all get back to the energy and love of the Juggalo community!  This post is short but I will be working hard the next week to get a review of some new music posted!  If you want me to review your album hit me up at juggalotus0069@gmail.com

Peace,

Juggalotus

New music reviews on the way!

Boy is has been forever since I posted on here thanks to my good friend Scottie D of Faygoluvers.net!  I am still reviewing music for that website but have recently been given an opportunity to review music outside of the Underground Hip Hop genre.  So this is a quick blog letting you all know music reviews from other genres are coming to this page very soon!  My first review for Duece Music will be a group called Pretty Gritty.  They are soulful Americana duo and I am looking forward to expanding my musical horizons and bringing you guys music you may or may not dig!  I will also still be reviewing for faygoluvers.net and will share albums on there I think you guys might like.

Thanks for checking it out!

J

Who are the Internet Psychos?

  I have seen a growing and stupiud trend in the underground, mostly Juggalo, fan base lately.  That is to post surveys like "If you were on a psycho killing spree what song would you be playing?" or "Do you prefer knife, hatchet, or gun?"  Here is my take on any and every single person who posts or answers these surveys, if confronted with the possibility of actually killing someone a vast majority (98+ %) would not have the guts to do it.  I am sick and tired of these people thinking you have to act or claim to be a psycho killer because you listen to our music!  If you listen to the music and dig it, that is great.  But if you honestly think any of the lyrics that ICP, Twiztid, etc have in a song is actually anything they have ever done you are a complete moron!  Their music is entertainment.  Nothing more and nothing less.

 For me the music is a way to release certain emotions that I have no other outlet for.  It helps me battle anger and depression.  It has helped me through so much and these kinds of displays do nothing but devalue the music and what it helps people through.  It also helps the outside world to say "See they are all degenerates."  That is why when we have shows and Gatherings the cops are always there and in some cases shut it down.  In life peoples first impression can make or break what they think of an entire group of people.  Why would we as a fringe group want to further push that negative image?

  ICP and Psychopathic have done a lot recently to help change that perception.  With toy drives and other charity events they are showing us what we need to do to help fix the FBI and gang label problem.  Why is it that they get mocked and made fun of for doing it?  People say they are getting soft or bitching out, I disagree.  They couldn't be any better an example for the fans to follow.  There is nothing wrong with being a socially responsible person in society.  People will never look at our fan base any differently unless we give them something different to look at. 

  Don't get me wrong there are a ton of groups in local communities that are doing good work and trying to make positive changes.  But if you go on Facebook and browse through Juggalo groups you will find a large population of these "Internet Psychos" and that is what some people see first.  I personally try very hard to change peoples ideas when I am in public.  I don't flip off cops and yell fuck the police.  I wear the hatchet proud while acting like a productive citizen.  You know how many times I have been harassed or arrested for wearing the clothes or chain?  Not once.  The cops have so many other things to be concerned with that what someone is wearing or listening to on their iPod makes no difference.  If you do the things I said then you more than likely will get hassled.  If you draw attention to yourself no matter what you have on you will be harassed, period.

  When it comes down to it the fact is we are the ones making us look bad.  We are the ones continuing to make people think negative of us.  We are the ones who can ultimately change these things.  As a united group we need to do the right things, act like productive citizens, and try our best to improve our communities.  Until we do those things all anyone will see is a bunch of "Internet Psychos."


MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

2014 Year in Review

  This was a very productive and busy year in music for me personally.  With Faygoluvers I was able to do 23 album reviews, that is a little less than 1 every 2 weeks!  I was hoping for 2 a month so I missed that a little but I was so close.  I also did Interviews with Gangsta Boo, Madchild, Adlib, Ganxsta NIP, Slaine, Zug Izland, Cryptic Wisdom, Mr Grey, Raz Simone, DJ Clay, Prevail, and Sozay.  That is an average of 1 every month!  Once again I could not have done any of that without Scottie D hooking it all up on Faygoluvers.net.

  I also hosted another concert this year.  It was Mr Grey and his "Warpath to the Gathering of the Juggalos" tour.  It was a super small venue but the show was dope and all the artists threw down!  I attended a ton of concerts and wrote reviews for Faygoluvers and I once again owe all that to Scottie D, James Wright, and a few others for the hookups on that.

  In 2014 we saw Twiztid create Majik Ninja Entertainment and announce their first artists signed as Blaze and ROC.  They have also announced they will be releasing an album called The Darkness on Jan 27, 2015.  When their tour came through Tucson I had a chance to lead their street team and actually meet them for the first time since I was in the Homies video way back in the day.  This year the label released it's first album Blaze Ya Dead Homie "Gang Rags: Reborn".  In 2015 we have been told Twiztid will release "The Darkness" and "The moment You've All Been Waiting For" and re-releasing "W.I.C.K.E.D" and "Abominationz", R.O.C. "Digital Voodoo", and Blaze's next untitled album.  I can safely say I am super excited to see what is coming next from the dynamic duo and MNE.

  2014 saw Psychopathic Records release some bombs.  They released AMB "The Garcia Brothers", Boondox "Abaddon", ABK "The Perfection Collection", Dark Lotus "The Mud, Water, Air, and Blood", Killjoy Club "Reindeer Games", ICP "20th Anniversary Hallowicked" "The First Six" box set, and "House of Wax".  This was a much better year for Psychopathic than 2013 without a doubt.  We also saw the Gathering moved to a new location.  From all accounts it was a nice change and went off without a hitch.  Coming up for them in 2015 we have been told albums from DJ Clay, DJ Paul, ABK, AMB, ICP, Otis, Big Hoodoo, Boondox, The Hav Nots, Vanilla Ice, Zug Izland, Legz & the purple gang, Rydas, and more are coming.  But that is purely speculation.

  2014 was a big year for Strange Music as well.  They released Tech N9ne "Strtangeulation", Mayday and Murs "Mursday", Ces Cru "Codename: Ego Stripper", and Rittz "Next to Nothing".  They went on a massive nationwide tour.  Not much has been announced for 2015 yet except Tech N9ne "Special Effects" and K.A.B.O.S.H. "Amafrican Psycho".

All in all 2014 was a really good year for Underground Horrorcore and it's fans. 

As I look forward into 2015 I would like to accomplish the following things with Faygoluvers:

1. Write and post at least 4 album reviews a month (1 major label & 1 independent artist every 2 weeks)

2. Continue interviewing artists and try to broaden our reach into other genres our fans are interested in (Metal, Rock, and Hip hop)

3. Make it to Dallas and ride to the Gathering with the Faygoluvers crew.  Then make the Gathering as accessable to our fans as we can!

Personally I would love to do these things in music:

1. Host 2 concerts in Tucson.

2. Finish recording and release JV's album.

3. Work with artists I have worked with in the past to get production credits to add to my resume!

 I have a feeling 2015 will be a dynamic and highly evolving thing this year.  Faygoluvers is just starting and I project we will continue to dominate the internet coverage of all thing Underground.  I also hope Juggalos can truely embrace what I know as "Family" and stop the division in the fan base.  We are all in this together, artists and fans alike, and we need to have each others backs cause noone else will!

MMFWFL Family,

Juggalotus

Juggalo Family? Pt 2

I wrote a blog a while back titled "Juggalo Family?" in that post I discussed the "New school" vs the "Old School" and how we are all family regardless of when we found the music and family.  I said "Family is Family, period.  No matter how "down" someone is or isn't if they support the movement they are family in my book."  I have been a huge advocate for unity and having each others backs no matter what.  Recently some events have happened which make me question this attitude.

Earlier this year Twiztid began forming street teams to help promote their music, shows, etc.  I was selected to be the lead for Tucson.  The people over at Desert Juggalos had Phoenix on lock.  I assembled a solid team and waited for the promo to be delivered from the promoter here.  When it arrived I received around 50 black and white flyers and 50 small hand flyers.  That was it.  I got with each member of my team and we began pushing what promo we had into the community.  When the Twiztid concert came through we were given VIP access and some swag for our hard work.  The day of the show we showed up on time and ran into the lead for Phoenix and his girl.  They told me they didn't think there was a lead or team in Tucson because they hadn't found the page on Facebook so they asked Aaron if they could come to Tucson and get on the VIP list for both the Tucson and Phoenix shows.  Since my team was already on the list they were denied and had to drive home without even getting into the show.  While they were here we discussed supporting each others teams and cross promoting to make both cities stronger.  About a month later I received an email from the street team lead at Majik Ninja saying they were going with a different lead for Tucson.  I started looking around out of curiosity to find out why they made that decision.  My gut said the Phoenix team had something to do with it but I could not confirm.

I wrote to the team lead and asked who the new lead was and gave him my info so I could still support Twiztid and help out any way I could.  I got no response from this.  I am still a part of the street team leads group on Facebook and came across a post today from that Phoenix lead suggesting a friend of his for the lead position.  He ended the post by saying "Since the Tucson show was a bust last time" as his justification.  The show here was sold out and packed and all of our promo had been put out.  I private messaged him and said "I think my team did awesome and the show was packed.  Not sure why you say it was a bust."  He did not respond but immediately went to the page and deleted his post.

So these series of events have opened my eyes to the fact that my kindness has been taken advantage of.  It isn't the first time but I held hope the times before were isolated instances.  I now believe that is not the case.  Because Twiztid is giving away cool swag and freebies to their leads (Which I think is awesome and well deserved) you now have people looking out for themselves and their click and screwing others over to make it happen.  As a street team there should be solidarity and unity but this case proves that is no longer the case.  It is a sad day for me that I am losing what little faith I had in the fans.  I still want to hold out hope we all are united and stand against the world of haters but I am finding more and more haters and self centered people than the Family I once knew.

We may all come from different backgrounds but we all united together.  That is what drew me to the fan base and genre.  The feeling of belonging no matter what town you were in.  A sense of community that no other fans had.  Bad concert experiences, bad interactions, and shady dealings has stripped me of that feeling.  There are still Los and Lettes I have respect for that believe in these things.  I still have nothing but love for Juggalos and will always give my non bias opinion in my Faygoluvers reviews and interviews.  I have love for people like Scottie D, RAM in Roswell, Legion in Tucson, Docta Mann, Madchild, Twiztid, and Blaze.  These guys are great examples of what we stand for.  So I have to ask are we still Juggalo Family?  Or has it all been a dream?

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

Marketing

In music, as with any business, one of the most important aspects to be successful is being able to effectively market yourself.  Making yourself appealing to potential investors (Record Labels and Executives) is vital to not only getting signed to a label but staying signed to a label.  Marketing includes everything from your public image to who your friends are.  In most local rap/hip hop scenes you can find the cliques.  The groups of friends who are local heroes but will never make it out of their local area.  The main reasons for this can be seen all over their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and all other social media.  Here are three examples I have personally witnessed in my local area that will and have limited artists from being marketable:

1. Blatant and over usage of drugs and alcohol.  Now anyone who doesn't realize most rappers have or do currently smoke weed, dab wax, or drink while partying is obviously blind.  In this case multiple times a day you will see them post their wax, drug paraphernalia, or them doing the drugs.  This is a sure fire way to turn investors off.  They do not want to inherit a "Problem Child" or someone who is addicted to these things so much it limits their productivity and availability.  If you need to be high or drunk at all times during the day while not on the road you will definitely over do it while on tour and cost the company money.  That is why groups like the Kottonmouth Kings and others have limited their reach.  Are they successful?  Hell yes but they came in at a different time where there was no social media.  Today your life is on peoples screens 24/7.  At any given minute people can log in and find out what you are doing, who you are with, and what you had to eat for dinner.  Social media allows fans and investors alike to see you scrapping for every dollar while still posting all your drug and alcohol pics.  If these artists invested that money back into their music and image they could be a lock for a contract.

2. Your friends.  In social media everyone knows who you hang with, get drunk and high with, and what you are doing at all times.  If you are hanging out with bums who can't hold job, act like thugs or gangsters, or post anti-establishment propaganda you will most likely not get any interest, no matter how good you are.  Your friends and associated are a direct extension of who you are.  In some cases give the best possible look into your personality and habits.  The days of Gangster rap are long gone so having a ton of pics or tags with you and your friends flashing gang signs is probably not the best idea.  Posting anti-cop posts is also not going to help you.  No label wants the authorities eye because of an artist who yells Fuck the Police every other post or tweet.  Another way this hurts you is that you may be in a group of 5-10 guys and no label is willing to sign all of you.  In most cases there is one or two guys in that group worthy and the rest become D-12.

3. Associates or political causes.  Not since Public Enemy came out with Fight the Power has there been a really successful political rapper.  Sure there are big names that have taken up causes like legalizing weed, helping foreign nations, or brought awareness to political candidates.  Most of the time these people are anti-establishment and it is ok because they have made it and are already huge stars.  There are very limited people who are unknown and new to the business that are successful when trying these things.  With popularity and money you can afford to tarnish your image a little and still be successful.  If you are struggling to make it this is a sure way to make them pass and move onto someone else.

There is way too much competition in this business to fall victim to any of these things.  All three of these are easily avoidable.  Now before anyone hits my comment section with "Yo I am from the street, this is who I am.  Fuck them if they don't want it." remember that your image is important. 

If you pay attention in your local area you too will see these artist and realize I am 100% right in this case.  I understand there are exceptions to these rules but for a majority of artists these will hold true.  The ones who make it are called out as being fake or selling out.  When in reality they did things the right way and made the right first impression.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

Investing in yourself

I am back!  And within a few weeks, I know unbelievable right?  The past few weeks one theme has been brought to my attention on quite a few occasions.  That theme is artists who are unwilling to invest in themselves.  The ones I am speaking of are never willing to pay for quality studio time, quality album production, quality mixing and mastering, or any other quality products necessary to be successful.  To me there are only a few things any artist should invest in and they can achieve success far beyond what they are doing right now.

1. Invest in quality beats!  If you are rapping over tagged beats or beats that everyone else is rapping on you will not stand out.  Take time to research unique quality beats from all over the world.  The internet has allowed millions of beat makers world wide to be at your fingertips.  So what do you do when you find the perfect beat?  Some say rip it, remove the tags illegally and call it yours.  I say invest money in the beat!  Not only does it help the guy making the beat out it will open future doors for discounts, custom beats, and more.  Now you can buy exclusive rights (Which let you have the beat and no one else can use it) or lease it for a limited number of copies you can sell (But others can still buy the beat and use it).  Of course the first option is more expensive but it allows you to have sole possession of the beat.

2. Invest in a good quality studio to record the album.  Yes every rapper has a "studio" tucked away in his closet where them and all their friends make "hot tracks" but I promise you that will not get you any further than your local (Your city) market.  Do I think you need to pay for a studio at $200/hour?  No way!  But there are plenty of studios in every single city that can provide top quality recording, in most cases mixing and mastering, for between $40 & $70/hour.  By investing money in this process you will create a better product that could catch the attention of people outside of your local market.

3. Invest in quality CD Production.  If you hand me a CD to check out and it is a recordable cd with your name written on it in sharpie I am more than likely going to find the nearest trash can and scrap it.  Take pride in what you are doing and find reputable CD  replication company (Copy Cats Media as an example) to produce your vision.  In most cases these companies will have an online template that you can add pictures to as well as designing the entire album cover inside and out.  By doing this you give a professional appearance and can sell these for a few more dollars a piece.  Most of the time the larger the order the better the discount.

4. Invest in high profit merchandise.  Most artists who have made it in the business have T-Shirts, Sweat Shirts, Hats, Bandanas, and anything else they can mass produce to sell.  These items unfortunately have a very low profit margin unless you buy hundreds at a time.  For a newcomer in the business look for high profit items such as shot glasses (you can get these for .40/glass and sell them for $3-5), Di-Cut Vinyl stickers, and your album.  All of these things are low cost high profit.  Once you get the bigger return on those items you should invest in things like bandanas or t-shirts.  Research and time invested with pay dividends here.

5. Invest in going on tour.  Sounds expensive but you can find regional tours and even some national tours that if negotiated properly can be a low cost high return investment.  You should not dedicate yourself to doing 200 shows a year in your city or even local cities.  If you are going to invest the time and effort to promote those kinds of shows you should just research and reach out to national tours and commit yourself to exposing a huge fan base to your music instead of performing to the same 50 people show after show.

By investing in these five simple things you will find that success you are looking for.  If you do not want to take the risk and invest in yourself I can promise you nobody else will invest their time and money in you either.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

My 20 min with interview series

For those of you who might not know, I do an interview series for Faygoluvers.net called 20 Min with.....  In this series I interview various artists for about 20 min.  Now the difference in my interviews is that I take a lot of pride in asking questions that other interviewers may not.  For instance I interviewed Potluck a while ago.  At one point I began asking about their song "My Dad" and in the interview I ask 1 Ton about his father who just passed and how much of an influence their fathers were on their career.  The question seemed to catch them off guard a little bit.  But that is what I do.  I actually research my interview subject and try my best not to ask the same thing they get asked all the time.

I also review albums on the website.  All of my reviews are 100% honesty as far as my opinion.  Now I have had artists ask me to remove my review once it was posted because they were not happy with my thoughts.  I will never remove a review once it is posted.  I also will never give a glowing review if the album does not deserve it.  I take pride in giving constructive criticism.  I also take pride in being genuine.  I don't get paid to do reviews or interviews.  I do it because I love music and the genre of Horror Core.  I would be lying if I said I didn't hope at some point in the future I could get paid for those things but for now it isn't happening.

If you want to check out my interview series head over to https://www.youtube.com/user/FaygoluversHeaven/videos and check out my latest and greatest with Mr. Grey, Sozay, Ganxsta NIP, Zug Izland, Cryptic Wisdom, Slaine, and many more.

To read my album reviews head over to http://www.faygoluvers.net/v5/category/reviews/albumreviews/ and look for reviews posted by Juggalotus0069.

I hope to keep this blog more current as I have been hella busy and slacking.  If you dig my blog here and want to help spread the word I would seriously appreciate it!  Please leave me some comments and let me know you checked it out and where you are from.  I am really interested in where my readers are at!

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

Successful artist or weekend hobbyist?

This blog is going to give the secret to making it in the music business, hell any business for that matter. 

The secret is this, surround yourself with people whose primary goal and focus is helping you get ahead.  Not pushing their own agendas, projects, or ideas.  Artists should hire a good manager who will do everything in their power to help the artist make money (if the artist makes money so does the manager!).  The manager of course will have a contract that has percentages of the profits on shows, merchandise, and appearances that go to them for their time and effort in promoting, finding shows, setting up merchandise deals, etc.  Most contracts have options to cancel if you are not satisfied with their services, if they don't be wary.  Your manager will have a majority of control of the business side of  your career, this is what you want.  If they are a good manager they will handle all business affairs, while including you in the decisions, with your best interest in mind.  They will help you hone your craft and produce the best possible product to market you effectively.  I can tell you from experience there in no artist in the world who can handle both the business and creative side of things.  It is way too much for one person or two people to do.  At the same time a manager should help you with the quality of sound and production they should not take over what you write, how you write it, or any part of that process. 

Over the past 6 months I have watched as people close to me surrounded themselves with "friends" that were helping them in the music business.  These so called friends may have had the best intentions when they started out but as I have watched I see these people doing everything except helping the artist get ahead.  In most cases the "friends" are riding the artists coat tails to fame and notoriety while doing nothing to help that artist get ahead. 

In a few cases their lifelong friends have managed to drain the artist of their money while doing nothing to help them get money back.  They do this by stretching the artist in too many directions, get them involved in things that are not relevant to their careers, or have them running and doing shows that are not benefiting the artist. 

Some of these so called friends are what I call part timers or hobbyist in the business.  They will put in minimal effort, finances, and time to the project they are working on with the artist.  By doing this they force the artist to pay for a majority of the albums, shows, or merchandise out of their pockets while barely doing enough to "make it work."  I have said many time that there a only a few traits an artist must have to be successful.  Those traits are:

-Commitment
-Willingness to invest in themselves
-Natural talent
-Willingness to learn and adapt

That is the most simplified list.

The last thing these "friends" do is drag you into their drama filled lives.  They will fail to pay rent and get you kicked out of houses or apartments.  They will make it a point to make drinking, drugs, and living the "rock star life" the number one priority.  They will allow their personal trials and tribulations to ge tin the way of doing what is best for the artist.

It was said to me not too long ago that the music business was just like any other business.  The example I was given was an author and editor.  Authors are wary of trusting editors to edit their work.  They are worried the editor is more concerned with making money off of the author.  When in reality a qualified and great editor will do everything in their power to make that author successful.  By doing this the editor will make more money over the long term.  This same principal applies to musicians, athletes, or anyone else who must market themselves to make it.

Please don't think I am naive to the fact there are shitty managers out there who do take advantage of artists.  I understand that any business can be abused.  I would ask all of you artists this simple question, what are the people around you doing to help you?  If you cannot think of a long list of things they are doing to pitch in and promote you as an artist, maybe it is time to change your circle.  I know a lot of you have life long friends that you wouldn't want to cut ties with.  But if those people are weighing you down and hurting your career why would you want them around?  Your manager should be your friend and closest confidant.  They should be the one you talk with about where you want your future to go knowing they will work their ass off to help you get there.

If you have 10 different projects going on with close friends how do you have time to complete your solo work?  How are you finding the money to support all of those projects?  How many of those projects are you in with part timers? 

If you are the only person putting 100% effort into your career and projects while others are just along for the ride it should not matter how long you have been down.  This is a business first and foremost.  If that isn't your focus then you need to reconsider what you are doing.

Do you want to be a successful artist or a weekend hobbyist?

Underground to the mainstream

  There has been a transformation in the underground that many "fans" have shown immense hate for.  There seems to be this belief that once an artists gets underground fame they should never be allowed to do anything remotely similar or involved in the mainstream.  For instance, once Twiztid left Psychopathic and released New Nightmare they were skewered for working with "mainstream" artists such as Caskey.  The truth is I praise them for doing whatever they want and working with who ever they want.  Another example is Tech N9ne and Strange music.  In the Faygoluvers forum recently someone said "Strange music isn't an underground label anymore. All of the artists are mainstream except maybe."  Another person commented that Tech had "sold out" because he is finally getting recognition in the popular arena.  In the same breath those people praise ICP for their work on Fuse TV for finally "getting their dues."  This is the double standard I was speaking of.  Why is it that the number one group in the underground, the originators of the underground wicked shit are given a pass when others are not? 

  I personally feel that any artists that represent us, the Juggalos, should be praised for getting us recognized.  The fans should continue to support these artists even if we might not like the artists they collaborate with.  Each and every artist that comes from the depths and breaks through in pop culture brings us closer to being accepted and better understood.  Tech N9ne didn't sell out, he MADE IT!  Twiztid is not selling out, they are making music they want to make.  There is absolutely no reason for anyone to hate these guys for making these decisions.  I think a lot of the hate has to do with jealousy.  People don't like that these guys are making money doing the things they love.

I was working with a group for a while out of Amarillo.  From a business perspective I was trying to do what was best for the longevity of the group in the business world.  Shortly after we had a small dispute and parted ways they posted "We don't kiss ass to be accepted period. *********** will stay running local shows before we sell out just because its doing "good buisness" fuck you if you don't like it"  When they mention kissing ass it was in reference to my trying to keep a business relationship with a printer who supplied stickers, backdrops, and other printed items to us at a great discount because of my friendship with him.  Unfortunately this is the attitude that leads to people never getting ahead, never making it, and never, ever getting out of their cities.  Guys like this are proud to be local opener heroes for guys in the business that are making moves and getting ahead.  This group, while very talented lacked the most important traits: Commitment, ability to control their emotions, and common sense.  The biggest problem with guys like this is that they are the biggest haters towards people making moves.  I promise you that guys like this will not get anywhere in this business.  

  So I guess I can sum up this article by saying as Juggalos we should back these artists even if they are working with people we may not like.  We should support these artists until they begin to make music we don't like.  It shouldn't matter if someone is on MTV or BET regularly.  Hell ICP was on MTV back in the day!  We all need to remember, even if you are an underground artist, that if you were offered a good chunk of money to be on Strange, Subnoize, or any other bigger named label you would be an idiot not to take it and run with it!  If you are not in this business to make money, you shouldn't be in this business.  As it is a majority of these artists in the underground will never make it.  Not because they are being shunned, held back, or kissing enough ass but simply because they don't have the talent, connections, or drive to make it.  For most of these guys they do music as a hobby nothing more.  They work from a studio in their basements, garages, or closets to save money.  In order to be successful in this business you need to invest in it.  That means investing time, money, and energy into everything you do.  Find the best studio you can afford, get your tracks mastered by professionals, and don't try to sell cd-dvr's with sharpie as "the hottest thing on the market"  When I get those I rarely listen to them.  A first impression can only be made once.  

I got nothing but love for every single artists struggling to make it in the business.  I got nothing but love for my Juggalo Family.  Let's stop hating on los and lettes for making it.  Let's celebrate their success.  Hate and jealousy will eat you alive and make you do and say things that will hurt you in the long run.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

Juggalo Family?

So this is my first post of 2014.  The reason behind this is simple, I have been busy working music reviews over at Faygoluvers!  I have tried to post at least one per week and for the most part have done well with it.  Now lets get to the crux of this post and why now is the time for it to get posted, Juggalo family.

For those who don't know I was introduced to ICP back in 1997 shortly after Milenko was pulled from the shelves.  I knew from the first track I heard that I was a Juggalo.  It wasnt something I learned, became, took a test for, or any of that.  When I heard the songs I knew I had been a Juggalo all along.  I felt a sense of belonging.  I found a group of people just like me.  We don't fit in with other people.  We are outcasts.  We don't apologize for who we are.  When I would go to shows I would feel like I was home.  Everyone treated everyone else with respect.  Regardless of our social class or background, if you had any merch on, or anything.  We didn't need a list of rules.  We didn't call ourselves gang bangers.  We didn't cause havoc, tag shit, or destroy property.  We managed to go to shows and have a blast without cops harassing us.  We could hold a Gathering every year without worry of people dying, FBI showing up, or someone getting robbed.  Well things have changed greatly in the past 17 years.

I am a member of quite a few groups on Facebook that contain "old school" and "Kid" Juggalos.  More and more I am seeing a division in our group.  Things are popping up like the 13 Juggalo Commandments, Juggalo code, etc.  A lot of people think unless you know these by heart and follow them religiously you are not a Juggalo and thus not Family.  This is complete crap.  There is also a group of people that believe we are in a gang because of songs like Gang Related and groups like Psychopathic Rydas.  These people also miss the point.  The music we listen to is ENTERTAINMENT!  Nothing more, nothing less.  The Psychopathic Rydas are a group that rips off other rappers beats and puts their own lyrics on them.  Once again, entertainment. 

For the longest time I was not willing to call out these new school family.  I was hoping they would fade away when the novelty of being a "Juggalo" wore off.  Unfortunately that is not happening.  There are people out there that think old school los and lettes have a mandatory requirement to train the new school on how to be a Juggalo.  This also is crap.  No one ever told me how to be a Juggalo.  I never had to learn rules and follow trends.  When I heard the music I knew I had been a Juggalo all along.  For anyone who has called someone a Juggahoe for not knowing all the lyrics to every song, not wearing all the merch, or not paining up for the shows let me clarify something.  You are the one who is wrong.  Being a Juggalo isn't about all of that.  It is about knowing no matter where you go there will be people looking out for you.  When you go to a show you don't have to worry about being robbed, beaten, or killed.  We have a sense of right and wrong and we always look out for each other. 

Family is Family, period.  No matter how "down" someone is or isn't if they support the movement they are family in my book. 

We need to stop the in fighting.  The world hates us enough without us making it worse.  When we go to the Gathering we should not destroy everything we touch.  We should take care of the site, each other, and the towns that welcome us (Because they are getting fewer every year).  We saw this years Gathering have to be moved after it was announced because the community didn't want "Gang members" in their town.  The same town that welcomes Hells Angels every year didn't want Juggalos.  Let that sink in.  The Hells Angels.  A murderous biker gang.  Notorious for murder, rape, and many other things is more welcome than us.  Why is that?  Simple, they respect other people and try to make positive changes in communities that welcome them in.  Why can't we be the same way?  One reason, the new school has embraced the gang tag, cause problems, and make no effort to improve anything. 

Instead of us against the world and us against us we should embrace positivity.  Make positive changes.  Make an effort to change our community and help them understand we are just fans of a certain type of music.  Nothing more.  We need to stop destroying shit.  Stop saying Fuck the police every time you see a cop roll by.  Stop trying to make a statement.  Once we embrace the positive we will see positive in return.  In the most recent interview on Faygoluvers with ICP Joe Bruce said "When Twiztid left that was the end of the family era."  I couldn't agree more. 

I do expect a ton of hate for this post and I welcome any discussion you want to throw at me.  I love the Juggalo Family.  I want my kids and grand kids to bump the wicked shit if they choose.  I want to see Gatherings happening when I am an old man.  I do think without change we will become a dying breed.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

End of the Year blog time

Yes we have reached the end of 2013!  With this being my last post of the year I wanted to take a minute to look back and reflect on the changes we have seen in music and then look to the future and give some predictions of what we might see in 2014.  So without further ado here we go:

In 2013 we saw turmoil and upheaval in the Underground music scene.  It has been one year since Twiztid left Psychopathic.  In that time we saw them release A New Nightmare, return to the Gathering as Guest performers, go on two tours in support of their last release on Psychopathic, Abominationz, and open a new web store.  While they have yet to release an official statement about their release the speculation behind A New Nightmare is that it tells their side without a statement being needed. 
  We also saw what many of us hope is not the future of Psychopathic Records.  In the past year the label has released the following albums: Legz Diamond 9 Pistolas, DJ Clay A World Upside Down, Big Hoodoo Crystal Skull, and Zug Izland Toxicology.  Those albums all fell way short of the expectations Juggalos had.  Legz and Hoodoo were both heavily co-written and influenced by Joe Bruce and that really hurt the albums.  Clay's album was good but nothing really outstanding.  And Zug's was not really promoted and I have yet to actually hear it.  We also saw them bounce every check they wrote for the Gathering and have yet to this day not paid those people.  I firmly believe that is why the Gathering is being moved, but I don't have any evidence of that so for now it is a theory.  We saw them let Blaze leave when his contract ended, send people on the road with limited funds and little to no promotion, and have lawsuits filed against them for sexual harassment and other charges.
  We saw the Kottonmouth Kings leave Suburban Noize Records and claim Kevin Zinger was ripping them off.  Since then we have seen hateful accusations in interviews on both sides.  We also watched Johnny Richter walk away from the Kottonmouth Kings after 18 years and go solo.  He released a solo EP called FreeKING Out on Suburban Noize Records and is preparing to release his next solo LP next year.
  The highlight of the Underground music scene this year was Strange Music.  In 2013 the label released ten albums.  Releases from Brotha Lynch Hung, Kutt Calhoun, CES Cru, Rittz, Wrekonize, Mayday, Tech N9ne, Stevie Stone, Krizz Kaliko, and Prozak.  All of those albums were expertly done and will not disappoint both mainstream and underground fans.  This label has shown themselves to be the cream of the crop.  They put out top notch music throughout the year and kept the fans eager to buy the next.  This is how it should be done.

Now lets leave the past behind us and look to the future.  I am going to break this section down per record label or group and then give you my thoughts on what I expect to happen.

  First lets look at Psychopathic Records.  The release of the Joker's Cards Box Set has been delayed from it's Dec 17, 2013 release date and there is no new date given.  The speculation is this was done due to immediate backlash when pics surfaced of the product itself.  We expect Anybody Killa "Shape Shifter", a new ICP EP, Mike E Clark, Vanilla Ice, and Axe Murder Boys "Garcia Brothers" to all be released in 2014 but no release dates have been given as of the date of this post.  We also will see the Gathering of the Juggalos change venues for the first time since 2007.  We still have no information on where it will be but there is plenty of speculation on the net. 
 Now here is what I think is going to happen with them this year:

1. The ABK, Vanilla Ice, and AMB releases will all be released and do horrible due to lack of promotion or they will not be released at all and delayed.
2.  ICP and Mike Clark will be released and hopefully live up to expectations although I am skeptical they will.
3. This will be on of the last years for the Gathering.  After the events that occurred last year I think they will have a difficult time finding groups to perform, sites for the event, and money to make it happen.
4. Finally I think we will see a large number of fans drop the hatchet.  I know I will get some hate for that prediction but we have already seen a lot of old school cats walk away.  Once Twiztid left there was a huge group of fans that lost all respect for Joe and Psychopathic Records.  I expect those trends to continue as long as mediocre albums are released and horrible business decisions are made.

Next lets see what Twiztid has in store for us.  They have announced that a new album is on the way.  It will be titled "The Moment You've All Been Waiting For." They have also announced that they would like to get more TV and movie opportunities.  So let me share what I think is going to happen with the demented Duo:

1. The new album will be released.  I think it will be the beginning of their rise in mainstream as well as cementing their legacy in the underground.
2. I think they will tour for a majority of the year again.  I also think they will make a trip out of the country if legal issues permit it (Canada and maybe Australia).
3. I think we will finally see the collab most Juggalos have been demanding, Eminem and Twiztid.  If it does happen you can count on this being the year of Twiztid.

Next lets look at KMK.  I think we will see KMK really disappear.  Once the "lawsuit" gets settled I think KMK will release a new album and possibly tour in support of the album but I do not see them climbing out of the hole that Daddy X has put them in.

Let now look at Suburban Noize Records.  I think we will see them bounce back from the lawsuit well.  Once the legal issues are cleared up we will see them sign at least 2-3 more acts.  I predict we will see Potluck release a successful album and tour in support of that album.  I think it will begin the rise of Subnoize back to a respectable label.  I do think Johnny Richter will release his next album on Subnoize and it will be a huge success.

Finally here is what I think we will see from Strange Music.  I think they will continue to put out solid releases from all of their artists.  I think they will once again hold the flame for the underground.  They will be the beacon for crossover fans.  Their label is going strong and I do not see that slowing down in 2014.

Now all of these things may or may not happen.  These are just my thoughts.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate you checking out my blog as often as you guys do.  I wish you all a a Happy New Year and want to thank you for your continued support!

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

Turmoil and changes

  Many long term established groups and record labels in the music business have begun to break apart this year.  We have seen Twiztid and Blaze leave Psychopathic Records, we are seeing the downfall of Psychopathic Records due to horrible business decisions, Daddy X and the Kottonmouth Kings leave Subnoize Records, and Johnny Richter leave the Kottonmouth Kings and release an album on Subnoize.  So why is this in my mind right now?  Well I got an email today and will be adding another interview to my 20 Min with.. series on Youtube with none other than Johnny Richter himself when he rolls through Tempe on Dec 15.  He did give an interview to Faygoluvers where he answered questions fans had submitted online and that cleared up a lot of his side of the story.  By doing my interview I can ask expanding questions to hopefully clarify more about that situation. 

  It is sad to me that all of these situations have to do with two things, power and money.  Let me make my points here before you guys hang me.

1. While Twiztid has been unable to say anything about why they left Psychopathic these themes seem to be universal in people that left the label.  Violent J is too controlling with production and all things involved with recording and performing, they wont pay any other act on the label what they are worth, and the only group getting 100% production and promotion time is ICP.  Violent J and Billy should have done everything to make Twiztid stay.  They should have promoted them better, gave them a bigger cut of the money off their albums, and made them bigger decision makers in the label.  But the money and power that those 2 guys couldn't let go helped make that decision easy for Jaime and Paul.  I think all of these things contributed to Twiztid deciding it was better to walk away.

2. Psychopathic's business decisions are killing the label.  We have seen them allow Twiztid leave when Twiztid was in my opinion the #1 group on the label.  They have stripped everything they built away from the "Family"  Violent J and Billy have made Psychopathic into a money machine that uses it's fans.  Sure we have seen in the past 3 different covers of albums (Melinko and Riddlebox), but those were made in small numbers and made to be a collectable for the fans.  Now we get 5 different versions of albums mass produced and each one has 1 or 2 new tracks to entice people to buy them.  Then about a year or so later they re-release the same 3-4 albums in a huge box set with another "version" to get people to buy another copy of all the albums.  In the past we saw them give away things to the fans, show love without buying the VIP pass for the shows, and basically present themselves as Juggalos themselves.  Now we see that was just a ruse to gain a huge ravenous fan base to use for profit.  They have become the big record label tycoons they told all of us they never would become.  Last year's Gathering saw them cut checks to vendors, police departments, and Hogrock that all haven't cleared.  I think this is why this year's Gathering is being moved to another place.  I predict in the next 5-7 years we will see the end of the label.

3. KMK split from Subnoize Records with Daddy X claiming that they were the first of many groups we would see leave Kevin Zinger due to his "Shady business tactics."  Since the split was released we have seen no other groups leaving the label.  On top of that we now have Johnny Richter leaving KMK and making another album with Zinger on Subnoize.  The more we hear Daddy X whine and complain the more their fans turn on the group.  We still don't have all the facts but it is becoming very clear that Daddy X is falling on the losing side of the debate.  I hope to be able to get some more clarification in the next week when I get a chance to talk with Richter and review his solo tour.

So as you can see all of these situations were because of shady business practices, refusal to give up power, or greed.  I will always be a Juggalo.  I will always love music and be willing to listen and review anything people send me.  I will always speak my mind and give a 100% honest opinion on the albums, situations, and other things in the business.  No one will ever make me tone down my honesty.  I hate coming on here and talking about negative things.  In this case I am so tired of seeing these great movements and groups dismantle and disappear while nobody is willing to stand up for the fans and say enough is enough.  We deserve a little consideration and respect.

Respect is something that is earned in this community and these things make all of us wanna walk away.  Truth is I considered it myself.  But I feel like fighting for this because it means that much to me.  I have nothing but clown love for all my Juggalos and Juggalettes.  I have mad respect for Twiztid, Johnny Richter, and Subnoize Records.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

Why local Hip Hop is failing

Since I have moved to Tucson I have noticed the same thing I have noticed in any city I have lived in for the past ten years, Local Hip Hop artists refuse to support other artists in their cities.  There seems to be this accepted understanding that if you or your friends do not like another group of people you have to do everything you can to stop them from making moves.  I understand that the complex mix of envy, jealousy, fear, anger, and loyalty drives this idea.  The local hip hop scene is dying a slow death because of this philosophy. 

  The solution to this problem is quite simple, whether you like the music they make or not you should have respect for the fact they are trying to make it just like you.  The other day on Facebook the guy who runs the Tucson Rap page posted a cypher which had 4 white guys on it as part of his Southwest Cypher Series.  Almost immediately another rapper posted this:

 "Y'all need to stop showing these whack white boy rappers and focus on artists. The only true artists in tucson are EMG, EZ Goin, the Kennedy's and efresh. Stop showing this stupid typical tucson rap because that's why no one gives tucson love."

This is exactly what I am talking about.  This guy has a few people he supports and because of race has decided the guy on that cypher are whack.  It is a fact one of the best rappers in the world is Eminem and he is white.  I think it is time we move beyond the idea that a persons skin color makes or breaks their ability in Rap and Hip Hop.  Why does it matter if the guys on the cypher are white?  It doesn't.  Stacc Styles is one of the best chopping rappers in this city.  Crookyd is hands down one of the best battle rappers here.  They have been asked to perform at shows and have been the only Tucson rappers on the bill.  This isn't by chance it is because they work constantly on their craft.  They don't make cheap ass music or music videos.  The hustle hard, make quality music, and always have their eyes on what is important, their career and what they want to accomplish.  That is how you succeed.  They also show love to anyone trying to make it and actually doing the work needed to make it.  Rap isn't a hobby, I have said it before, it is a business.  In order to succeed you need to do anything and everything to make it.  Deprive yourself of sleep and other things to make your dreams happen.

There have been times I have heard people say "I would love to see the headliner but I don't support the locals on the show so I am not going."  How does this make any sense?  You should be buying tickets to shows for the headliner not the locals.  Who knows if people gave someone they heard was whack a chance they might actually dig what the guy(s) do.  If local scenes continue to get shows of 25-30 people and by the time the headliner is out you can count the fans on your hands because the fans only came to support their friends then rappers and other artists who can give you exposure will not come to town.  Then nobody wins.  Small or big a national tour can get you exposure and fans nationwide.  If any artists refuses to see that then it is time to quit and get a 9-5 job.

There is a movement by some on social media to "support locals" and that in words is great.  But the same people who post such things do not back up that idea with actions.  What they in turn are saying is "Come support my friends because I think they deserve it, but I will not return the favor."  As local shows refuse to support one another the entire movement fails.  Not until we can all band together and support people because of their hustle, abilities, and drive and stop hate because of envy, jealousy, fear, anger, and blind loyalty will the hip hop movement in any city begin to see success and love from anyone outside of that city. 

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

Random rant on society

So a few things in the world have gotten out of hand and to be honest I am sick of hearing about them.  So this post is really me venting and hopefully you guys can give me feedback not just criticism.

The past few weeks I have heard a lot about the government furlough and have personally seen how it is effecting military personnel and civilian government employees.  My issues with this topic are this:

Why should congress and the president continue to get paid?  Yes it is granted by the constitution that their pay will not stop.  But in this case I think they all should voluntarily donate their paychecks to pay the military, civilian, and veterans who still have to go to work without pay in most cases.  The furlough happened because the government failed to do their job!  The military and civilians didn't cause these problems.  The government and their petty arguments caused it all.  Facts are this, Obamacare sucks, neither party gives a crap about any of us until their job is up for reelection (Which I feel doesn't even matter because I feel most of our "free" elections are rigged and our choice doesn't matter) and then they tell us what we need to hear to vote them back in knowing once they secure the office they will not do a damn thing they promised, and both parties are striving for the same goal (Government take over and totalitarian rule).

So what can we as citizen do about it?  Nothing.  Absolutely nothing we do matters.  We have given the government so much power nothing we say matters.  We can rise up and fight the government and I think Americans should throw all of those people out of office and start over.  But once the citizens rise up against the governments we will just begin to get slaughtered.  I hate to say it but at this point we have given so much away we are beyond any repair.

 Another topic I keep hearing about is peoples sexuality.  I will be honest, NOBODY cares who you are doing or not doing.  Until you tell people your preference no one can tell.  But I will say once you tell the world that preference you need to be prepared for people that agree and don't agree with your choice.  We dont all have to agree or be o.k. with anyone else s lifestyle.  We all need to shut our mouths and keep our private business private.  Unlike racism or the civil rights movement until you stand up and yell from the mountain tops your sexual orientation nobody can tell.  The civil rights movement was about being repressed and persecuted because of the color of your skin.  That is 100% obvious the second you see someone.  Unfortunately racism will never cease to exist because people will keep being ignorant.  Your sexuality is private and not immediately obvious unless you make it that way.

 The next topic is abortion.  Let me clue you in on something, it was not the babies choice for you to get pregnant or get someone pregnant it was your choice.  Why would you punish a life that is 100% dependent on you for survival because you couldn't take precautions to prevent it?  With all of the options out there for birth control there is only 2 reasons pregnancy happens, you had unprotected sex to get pregnant or you took the risk even though you knew the consequences.  Either way the fetus had no choice in that.  You might be killing the next Einstein, Beethoven, or rocket scientist.

 Finally I am sick and tired of hearing how guns kill people.  I will let you in on a little secret, Guns do not work unless human hands pull the trigger.  Yes if it is dropped it can misfire but that is not what the argument is about.  People in the government, media, and communities claim that our constitutional right to bear arms should restrict what arms we can own.  Nowhere in the constitution does it clarify what I can or cannot own as a firearm.  But those supporters of gun control want you to believe that an AR-15 is more deadly than a knife.  This is true and untrue.  Yes it can shoot more rounds quicker.  But it only shoots one round per trigger pull.  No matter what guns are taken out of law abiding citizens hands criminals will still get weapons and commit crime.  Look at prohibition if you need an example of this.

 So there you have it.  My rant on all the crap is society pissing me off.  I will get back to my music posts and hope you all will stick with me and even have an intelligent debate about these topics.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

Peeling off the masks in the Underground

I don't think this blog will come as a surprise to most that frequent here. But in recent months, ever since Twiztid left Psychopathic Records, there have been numerous reports, interviews, emails, and lawsuits that are exposing a side of the label I think most of us didn't want to ever see. The side of the label that is focused on money, lust, and mob style tactics.

A report was released last week of a lawsuit from a former "in-house" legal Counsel/publicist claiming that many employees within Psychopathic Records engaged in prolonged sexual harassment, intimidation, and creating a hostile work environment. Having read the lawsuit here are the highlights:

1. She was consistently called a bitch by everyone around her including Billy.

2. She was consistently subject to unwanted sexual advances from Dirty Dan and others.

3. Sugar Slam created a hostile work environment due to her jealousy toward the woman suing them.

4. Dirty Dan gave a glass dildo upon finding out she had recently separated from her boyfriend.

5. She was asked to cover up wage issues being investigated by the US Labor board.

6. She was asked to act unethically in a legal capacity to cover up many things within the organization.

Now those are the major issues in the lawsuit. It is 17 pages long and filled with a ton of fluff such as "I was always being flirted with" type comments. But looking at those six issues I can say if they are true there is a serious issue within the label. Yet another sign things are sliding downhill quicker than anyone in Psychopathic wants to admit. Then a few days later it came out that many vendors from this year’s Gathering either hadn’t been paid or the checks they were given would not clear the bank. The total of those debts is around $300,000. Are we really seeing that Psychopathic is broke? Maybe or maybe not but either way it doesn't look good at this point.

So I log in today and see yet another story about the business dealings in the label in the form of two anonymous emails sent to testdummy22 from someone he says is in the inner circle of the label and a very reliable source. Those 2 emails state:

ANONYMOUS MESSAGE SENT TO: TestDummy 22 from ?????, (A EMPLOYEE AT PSYCHOPATHIC RECORDS, AND A VERY RELIABLE SORCE) TESTDUMMY 22 *Some of this e-mail was cut out to protect the identity of sender* I gotta be honest man, I'm deeply disapp...ointed in this company. I had hooked up with Mike Clark down in Detroit at the fowling warehouse. We had a long conversation that night about Psychopathic and at one point Mike was almost in tears telling me about how he believed they were brothers (Him,Joe and Joey) and when it came down to it Joe tossed their friendship in the trash and chose to steal millions of dollars from him. The money he was referring to was from the first 5 cards and associated Eps that he was was tricked into signing away all his publishing on. Fucking devastating right? What if you made millions and someone stole it from you? How would you feel? I was fucking floored that they would do that to him but it doesn't surprise me because its the music business and he was naive to the workings of the music business. They fucked Mike HARD and it hurt him, he's still bitter today make no mistake. The only reason he does shit with them anymore is because he has to make money and he loves the juggalos. At the GOTJ last year and he was literally sobbing because the potential for what this movement could have been in the hands of people who cared could have been massive. Mikes just going through the motions now, his heart is not with ICP anymore. Mike isn't a problem, he's fine the way he is, its everyone else thats the problem. I mean, Joe doesn't exactly pick Mikes best stuff and at the end of the day EVERYTHING you hear out of Psychopathic is a product of Joe Bruce is some way shape or form. Mike still makes great shit, but Joe don't know how to pick it and in my opinion he actually picks some of the worst beats I have ever heard regardless of who the producer is.

And:

ANONYMOUS MESSAGE SENT TO: TestDummy 22 from ?????, (A EMPLOYEE AT PSYCHOPATHIC RECORDS, AND A VERY RELIABLE SORCE) TESTDUMMY 22 Here's the reality of Psychopathic. It's not a business, its a hustle. ... I noticed Kuma is not really talked about in the juggalo community, First of all Kuma is Joe's bitch, I don't know if you know that or not? Kuma wears all hats at psychopathic and basically fails at all of them. When I first met Kuma I thought he was a super cool genuine dude and he had me believing that for the majority of my time at psychopathic,but as time went on and I started to question his abilities is when I started seeing a drastic change in his attitude towards me. Kuma is the source of all things generic at Psychopathic. He's the reason everything comes out like watered down cheap rip offs, he's the reason the informercials suck, he's responsible for the worst videos in ICP history and thats why Joe is using outside directors and producers now, i'm not just being a dick i'm being honest, Kuma is the source of suck but they refuse to fire him because he's loyal and he rides that dick HARD. Ok, so, Eric Heiden is the only special effects guy at psychopathic and he calls Kuma out on not being able to his job in front of Billy and Rob. Billy and Rob decide instead of firing Kuma they will remove him from the video department, fire me and stick him in the lotus pod. I honestly feel deep sorrow for the fans at this point because the future of this label is pretty much completely abandoned. It obvious they don't give a fuck and honestly Big Hoodoo is just a way for Joe to make himself feel better about Twiztid leaving the label, thats all. I wouldn't be surprised if he only lasted one or two records tops. You said it yourself, when were juggalos most happy? That was when ICP, Twiztid,Lotus,Blaze were rocking out. That will never happen again bro, it's over.

Now with that out there let me just say if the first email is true, which wouldn't surprise me, I am truly disappointed they would do Mike Clark like that. I do feel that Mike Clark supports the fans and has nothing but love for the movement. I also think that we are seeing that Violent J and Billy have a firm grip on everything and everyone under Psychopathic, they have given into greed and arrogance, and they have become everything they claim to despise in the business.

I think things like this point to more and more reasons why Twiztid walked away.  Although they are unable to say anything about their release publically I would not be surprised if once the timeframe of that silence is over we see the final pieces fall from the masks J and Billy have worn for so long.

I have long said that Alex leaving changed the entire dynamic of the label. It went from a movement that meant something to a gross exploitation of a dedicated and rabid fan base. I am going to get hate mail for this post and I expect it. Don't misunderstand me, I support ICP and all other artists on the label but I do not support the business tactics that Billy and Joe have instituted to make millions. I respect what they built, what they have done independently, and the movement they started. But having done business with certain members within the label I can attest that the mob tactics are used to get things out of people. Threats are made to ensure they make money even if they do nothing to earn or deserve that money. They will threaten not only the person they have the dispute with but also their wives, husbands, and children to get paid. The reason the FBI began to investigate them was extortion, wage payment issues, and illegal activities similar to street gangs. As long as they and their fans continue to act like thugs we will never shake this stigma.

I am saddened by the state of the record label. I am even more saddened by the fact Joe has become everything he hated. I sincerely hope He and Billy realize this is the wrong path to be on and can save what all of us have come to love. If not I know Twiztid, Strange, Mad Insanity and Subnoize are poised to take over the underground and make us proud.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

The fine line between business and friendship

Anyone in this business knows that we all take our steps into this business with friends usually.  We find our lifelong friends or people we grow to know as friends and make our way into music together.  Most of the time the line between friendship and business is hard to distinguish.  Most people are unable to separate the decisions made for the benefit of the group or business from personal feelings if things don't work out.  This is the case for Black Project and I today. 

I am not going to dive into great detail but will say that some business I had outside of the group has been rough.  I had trusted friends to let me vent when things were not going the best.  Due to this my friend felt the need to approach the other party in that other business.  I talked with that party last night and let them know I wasn't happy my friend took it upon himself to write and get into business that wasn't his own, even though I understood he was just trying to look out for me as a friend.  This whole series of events led to a huge disagreement between them.  I refused to take sides and in the end Black Project felt by me not taking sides I was not taking their side.  Then made the decision to not keep me as their manager.

While I did not want that to happen I cannot stop them from making that decision.  So I made a public announcement stating that they were released from Wicked Butterfly Entertainment due to professional disagreements, because to me that is what it is.  I have nothing but respect for Black Project and wish them the best in all they do in the future.  I have at every turn put my own money up to pay for studio time, demo pressing, and other expenses and allowed them to pay me back at their leisure.  I never pressed them to get me the money back immediately as I understood their circumstances.  I have taken a lot of my time, energy, and finances to help them be successful.  In return today one of them went on a twenty minute rant saying I did nothing for them, held them back, and hurt their career.  I am really sorry he feels this way as this is the first time I have heard they were not happy.  Our management contract was a six month contract the ended officially at the beginning of January and I have not pressed them to renew it, so I have been providing my services for nothing but our friendship.  I have put up my own funds in this time to mix and master tracks for them to have for shows they had coming up.

I cannot change how anyone feels but I can say that I have acted in a professional manner in the best interest of Black Project for over a year.  I have gained absolutely nothing for myself financially.  At this point I have lost money I have put into the group. 

I will not ever attack them personally as I have no issue with them on the personal side of things.  Business wise I am upset they feel like I screwed them over but once again I will not say anything negative about them.  Part of being in business is understanding that not every bad thing that happens is personal.  Sometimes people are mad because that line gets crossed.  Sometimes people involve themselves in dealing that they have no involvement in except to be a friend to one or more of the parties.

It is a hard lesson for people to learn or see happen and I wish nothing but the best for my homies in Black Project.  I am always here if they need advice or to vent as unlikely as that may be.

Keep business as business and friends as friends.  Make sure you don't blur the lines and think business decisions are anything but just that.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

2013 Gathering of the Juggalos thoughts

So the Gathering of the Juggalos went back “Underground” this year.  The event has been going on since Wed Aug 7 as people started lining up to get into the grounds.  Well on Monday Aug 5 there were several people who overdosed and had to be taken to the hospital; mind you this was before anyone was allowed to be there except the crew setting everything up!  Having gone to the event last year I saw more drugs available than anywhere else I have ever been.  This should have been a sign of things to come.  The apparent drug causing the problems is a designer drug called 25I.  The street name for the drug is N-Bomb, Smiles, and 25I.  It is similar to LSD in its effect on people. 

News breaks Friday that someone was found dead in their tent of apparent overdose.  The cause was initially reported as 25I but has also been reported as a Heroin overdose.  No matter what the cause this is absolutely horrible news.  Why you ask?  Well it is simple, the public at large is finding any way possible to label us delinquents and shut the Gathering down.  Drugs have expanded way out of control and last year I saw people who were obviously “professional” dealers who were only there to make money off dumb ass Juggalos who did not even remember their experience at the Gathering because they were wasted the entire time.  Drugs are out of control at this event.  Why is this important to me?  I GIVE A CRAP that’s why!  People need to go out there and enjoy themselves but this is getting ridiculous.  We have now lost Family because of this problem.  I suggest we as Family get this under control.  This is our Mecca (as Violent J said today). 

Now the other huge news everyone was waiting for was promised by Violent J to be “The biggest news we have ever released in our career!” and we were promised this life changing news at the seminar today.  Let’s briefly go over what they released at the seminar:

·         Juggalos at the Gathering are the most elite Juggalos on the planet!

·         ICP considers the Gathering the mecca of Juggalo-ism

• He gives us the epitome of news in the Juggalo world
• Psychopathic is resuming the Mighty Death Pop tour right after J’s knee surgery
• Tour will include Denver, Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, Florida, Texas; Last show of the tour will be Hallowicked
• November dates for the tour in Australia
• ICP theater has 8 episodes (3 of which have aired so far).  If ratings are good, they will get 25 more episodes for season 2!
• They are starting the 3rd Joker’s card of the new deck after Hallowicked!
• Planning of the 3rd card will be more precise
• It will be available on CD!  The rumor that it would only be on digital is “straight bullshit”
• He said the difference between a physical copy of the album and a digital copy is like the difference between porn and a real neden!
• They are bringing back Psychopathic Radio after the Gathering!
• Shaggy is off probation (finally!) so they will be touring in Canada!
• On Juggalo day, they will be performing the Great Milenko in its entirety! It will be available on iPPV, and may not be in Detroit!  More Joker’s cards shows are in the works!
• Violent JJ made 3 beats (beatboxing) and they will release it on the Internet
• 6th Joker’s card box set is ready to go!
• Violent J confirmed that Blaze ya Dead Homie did officially leave
• Psychopathic isn’t trying to replace anyone who left, just trying to leave a legacy of great artists!
• They want to do more concept music like Wizard of the Hood or solo albums like Shaggy’s Fuck the Fuck Off
• They said that Twiztid told Psychopathic they were leaving via text message
• They then announced that Axe Murder Boyz and Boondox  are officially back on the label!
• Everyone was handed a ticket before the seminar started, without knowing what it was about.  They then started talking about the  Chronicles of the Dark Carnival series that was filmed for SyFy years ago.
• They said that the end product they got back had a “little twinge of suck”.  Jumpsteady said it was SO BAD that it came full circle and ended up being entertaining again!
• They said it would ONLY be available for Juggalos who were in attendance at this year’s Gathering!

Now with that in mind what could possibly have been the huge earth shattering news? 

ICP is touring Australia? 

AMB and Boondox have resigned with Psychopathic?

Blaze leaving the label?

Are any of those the Biggest news ever?   NO.  So I take this list of news as just that, news.  ICP once again pulled the wool over Juggalos eyes to sell tickets and get people in the door.  As I have discussed before ICP is all about the bottom line.  They don’t care about the Family any more.  They knew the lineup this year, while great underground acts were on the set list, was not enough to sell enough tickets.  So J tells us all they are going to drop devastating, huge, Juggalo world changing news.  And we get nothing.  Then we are told there is a mystery seminar after ICP that I think everyone including me thought would be Twiztid.  Nope Twiztid and Blaze bounced and the seminar became AMB and Boondox.  Don’t get me wrong Boondox dropping some good news that I am pumped about but really why not give Twiztid a seminar? 

How many times are we going to see the fan base abused by this label and do nothing about it.  When Twiztid left I didn’t want to “take sides” and I still support the music Psychopathic, Twiztid and Blaze put out there.  I think J and Shaggy need to seriously look at what has happened.  Alex left and it has been a steady decline into money and ego. 

People will read this and some will agree while others disagree.  I will take heat for saying these things but I know people out there who view it the same way (testdummy22 and I see eye to eye on a lot) and that is ok.  I have opinions and so does everyone else.  The one thing about me that never changes (whether it is CD reviews, Event reviews, my blog and opinions, or anything else I do) is that I am honest and will say what I believe to be the truth. 

I still rep the hatchet and will always support the underground movement.  This years Gathering has shown me that the Mecca for the Family is on life support.  Attendance was down, we had a death, and we saw a glimmer of hope that things were ok with the ending of the Lotus set (which quickly went away when J told the family Twiztid left via text. That was a low blow if you ask me), and the police getting a “financial” advance from the “organizers” (Psychopathic) which let them buy new equipment for the force.

I love my Family and hate to feel like this whole movement has been shifted in the wrong direction.  I hope things will change and we will see Juggalos return and rebuild what has been lost.  I hate to say I feel that movement is now with Twiztid but that is how I see it. 

Let’s hear your opinions people, I welcome everyone’s thoughts!

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus