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

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

The more you know

  Wow has it been a month already?!  I know I have been super busy but heck I have had a ton to blog about, especially with the events happening in the underground.  Here is a quick list of topics I am going to give some thoughts on!

1. KMK vs Subnoize
2. The Gathering of the Juggalos 2013
3. Breaking the fourth wall and getting to know artists/rappers personally

So lets get at it!

A lot has been said back and forth between KMK and Zinger of Subnoize Records.  My take is this, what happens between them is really not important to fans of the label or music.  The only thing affected by all of this is who is involved in business at Subnoize and what label pays KMK.  The music is still going to be released by both entities.  Various Subnoize artists might jump ship if Daddy X does not manage to get the label and forms his own, then again they might not.  This is yet another camp diving into chaos.  A few years ago the top labels in the underground were Psychopathic and Subnoize.  Now they are both in a free fall due to internal conflict and Strange has quietly taken the top spot.  I know there are those of you who would disagree but I guess it is all a matter of opinion and since this is my blog that is my opinion!  I will continue to buy KMK albums, review KMK albums, and support their music.  I will also continue to support Subnoize and any artists associated there.  I have friends on both sides of this argument and respect everyone involved for their contributions to our music genre as a whole.  If you were a KMK fan before this stuff, you should be a fan after, period.

This years Gathering of the Juggalos has been dubbed "Rise of the Underground". I have no issue with Psychopathic giving love and some spotlight to Underground artists as long as their intention is just that.  I think Kung Fu Vampire deserves to have a slot on the main stage along with several other big names in the Underground.  But my fear is that the shift in focus is due to Psychopathic saving money either but cutting corners and not trying to get big name artists (Ice Cube, Ice T, etc) or no big name artists being willing to show some love.  As we have seen in the past few years big name artists get booked and just fail to show.  I hope it is just that, a fear of mine.  I do think Psychopathic should spotlight more Underground artists but I do feel there is a place for a few big names on the bill too.  I hope to be able to attend the Gathering again this year and hope it is as fresh as it was last year.  I would also like to see more Family love.  Last year the golf carts were rarely seen and when they were the main guys (ICP, Twiztid) were not on em.  I saw ABK, Chop, and a few other but the big guys stayed hidden away.  Maybe I just missed em I am not sure.  So that is my take on the Gathering this year.

Now with both of those topics out there let me say the past year and a half has been very eye opening to me.  I have had the oppotunity to do some great interviews for Faygoluvers and meet a lot of good guy and bad guys in the business.  That is when I discovered that breaking that fourth wall is a blessing and a curse.  Now I am not going to name people who I love as artists but really have grown to dislike as people but I will give you all a glimpse at artists who say they support the family and actually are good people on and off stage.  The first guy I can say is a down to Earth dude is Bukshot.  I contacted him about a collab for my guys in Black Project and he was nothing but professional.  We talk often and I consider him a friend in business and life.  He has nothing but respect from me.  Another is Kung Fu Vampire.  I have met and talked with him quite a bit and he is always down to chop it up.  Respect is definitely earned by me as well.  Potluck, cool dudes who always have love for the Juggalos and have earned my respect on many levels.  Liquid Assassin, great guy and I hope to work with him in the future.  Mr. Grey, met him at the KFV show in Mesa, cool dude and definitely talented.  Mars, some people hate him and some people like him, my interactions with him have been all on the positive.  He sat down for my very first interview and has done several collabs with my guys.  I consider all of these guys my friends as they have always held themselves to a higher standard and make me appreciate this business.  Now on the other side there are guys I have met and they all seem dope at first but as I have gotten to know them and how they do business I realize they are self centered, egotistical jerks who will only be cool with you as long as you can do something for them.  Unfortunately there are a ton of them in the business and they make me question being involved at all.  Luckily the guys who I mention first have made it all worth while. 

As a fan I had respect for many artists and as a reported/reviewer/interviewer I have lost respect for some.  I guess that is the real pitfall of being involved beyond the fan level.  Do I regret it, hell no!  I love what I do.  I love listening and reviewing everything submitted to me by artists and Scottie D.  I have nothing but love and respect for all artists out there grinding on a daily.  I hope to continue to provide this blog, Faygoluvers, and other media outlets positive vibes on the Family and movement.  Most of all I appreciate everyone who comes here and checks out my brain droppings and then goes over the Faygoluvers and hits up my reviews.  I have Much Family Love for life.

MMFWFL,

Juggalotus

2012 Hatchet Attacks in Farmington, NM

  So this weekend was the 4^th annual Hatchet Attacks show.  It came to Farmington, NM this year and I was lucky enough to not only be in attendance with my son for his first show but was able to take part in the setup of the show itself.  So for those that follow my blog here is everything that I saw happen at the show!

  We left our home in Clovis, NM and started our 8 hour drive across the state to Farmington, NM on Thursday.  We got in about 2 am and along the way we found plenty of Family headed to the show as well.  Friday morning we got up and went to the venue about 12 to start working with the road crew setting up everything in the venue.  When we got there the venue was completely empty.  Throughout the day we move a ton of equipment including the stage, sound and light equipment, wrestling ring, Faygo,  etc.  I worked about 13 hours that day and at the end of the day I was completely exhausted.  But the stage was setup, the lighting was done, and most of the cables were in place.  The next day we arrived at about 10 am and went to work putting the finishing touches on everything.  Throughout the day we encountered many of our favs from Psychopathic including Billy and DJ Clay.  I can say from that experience that DJ Clay is a cool dude.  He was down to earth and didn’t avoid talking to any of us.  We had a little break and then 3 pm rolled around and the doors officially opened.  There ended up being about 6800 Juggalos and Juggalettes in the crowd so the show was the largest I have ever been a part of.

  At 4 pm JCW took center stage.  There were 5 matches in total.  Here is how it broke down:

- Ryda Red, Ryda Blue and Zack Gowen defeated The Freak Squad (Dom, GQ & Joey) via pin
- The Weedman defeated Officer Colt Cabana via pin
- The Necro Butcher defeated Shawn Daivari via pin
- J.W.O. (Kevin Nash & Sean Waltman w/Scott Hall) defeated The Headbangers (Mosh & Thrasher) via pin
- 2 Tuff Tony defeated Kongo Kong via pin to become the new JCW Heavyweight Champion

All of the matches were hype and they put on a great show.  Congrats to 2 Tuff Tony for being the new JCW Champion!

  After that the ring was removed and the show was about to begin.  DJ Clay was on the tables and hosting the show.  First up was Cold 187.  This was my first time to see him or hear his flavor of music.  He put it down for West Coast Gansta rap.  Since I grew up listening to that genre of the music I had a ton of respect for that guy.  He had a section of his show which was a memorial to all of the fallen West Coast rappers in the game.  He started with a cover of Boyz in the Hood by Eazy-E and ended with a combination of Tupac and Nate Dogg.  It was completely West Coast and I absolutely loved it.  After his set DJ Clay gave him a shout out and asked the Juggalos to give him another round of applause to which they booed him, which I thought was pretty shitty considering it was something new and it seemed like most really didn’t give it a chance.

  Next up was Anybody Killa.  His set was hella long and covered everything from his catalog of music.  He killed it as usual and left Juggalos seething for more.  Then came Blaze Ya dead Homie.  He brought that Detroit Gansta shit to New Mexico like never before.  He did all the favorites from Crypt Keeper to Dub Sack.  Toward the end of his set he did a track I had never heard before and can only assume is a new track from him.  It was good and was all about what he would do for a forty.  Then it was time for one of the favorites, Twiztid!  When they came out Madrox was sporting a blond Mohawk and Mono had the many tiny braids.  This should come as no surprise to anyone but they killed it!  They performed most of the favorites we have all come to know and love.  They didn’t do any new material but the energy they had on stage was unmatched all night.

  Finally it was time for the clowns, ICP!  The stage was set and the family was ready to explode.  They hit the stage with Mike E. Clark and blew the roof off of the venue.  Faygo was flying and the dirt floor slowly became a nasty mix of dirt, cow shit, and faygo.  They performed everything from Assassins to the dating game.  Then we all got a taste of the forthcoming Mighty Death Pop.  The track was really hype and I am looking forward to the album which is going to be released on 8-14-2012 at the Gathering of the Juggalos.  In the end Faygo Armageddon hit Farmington and my son was finally indoctrinated into the family.  We were front and center and I can say we both left totally soaked and sticky, and of course I wouldn’t want it any other way. 

  All in all the trip was worth the time and effort.  I got to take part in a ton of stuff most of us never get to see.  If you missed it this year I would suggest you don’t next year.  It was one of the best shows I have been to.  DJ Clay gets my respect for being the host and DJ for the entire 8 hours of music and mayhem.  To all of the fam that was in attendance it should stand as a testament to the family love.  I saw a lot of old school Juggalos there and the vibe made me remember why I love being a part of this family.  There were only 22 arrests mostly for being drunk and disorderly and fighting.  I saw juggalos picking up fallen los in the pit and making sure no one was injured there. 

  This blog is known as Juggalo support because we as a community need to support one another.  In a previous post I covered why I love being a Juggalo.  In some downer news one of our own was on his way home and got jumped by 14 young “juggalos”.  I think this kind of crap needs to stop.  The movement is about family love.  The longer I have been a part of it the more I see young Juggalos acting stupid.  Now not all of the new generation is like that but there has been a large number who have given new los and lettes a real bad name.  Let’s stop family in fighting and start showing the love again.  And for any young new gen Juggalos that were at the show remember that is what it is all about.

MMFWCL,

  Juggalotus

New interview and big news!

  It has been 10 days since my last post.  All I can say is I have had a lot going on!  Thats good and bad.  I have hit the studio with Draztik the past few weeks and we have been making magic.  With his rhymes and my ears we have been lighting stuff on fire. 
  I have also been working with T.O.N.E-Z to see if we can get him down here to the southwest for a show.  Lets just say that if all goes well Lubbock will be hit hard with freshness.  For those that don't know check out my interview with him here.  As for when and where that is still to be determined.
  This week be on the lookout for my exclusive interview with none other than Mars!  I hope to have it posted later in the week.  Also be on the lookout for all my interviews coming soon.
  I hope to have more music reviews coming soon.  If there is any CD's you want me to preview or even free releases let me know.  I know T.O.N.E-Z has a free valentines mixtape coming out on Sunday so look for the review of that next week as well.  If there are any people in Lubbock, TX that know of a venue that hold around 250 people let me know so I can check them out for the upcoming show.  Also any rappers in the area interested in opening for that hit me up so I can check you out.

  Non music news has been slim at best.  I am still looking forward to the summer movie release of Batman.  I am loving the new 52 Detective comics.  Great story line and awesome artwork. 
 
  The Gathering of the Juggalos is coming in August.  Draz is hopefully taking me to the show.  If so I will have pics/reviews/and a full write up of our weekend. 

Thats all I got for now just wanted to drop in and give a quick update.  Look for the Mars interview this week and keep your eyes peeled to the blog for more freshness!

MMFWCL,
  Juggalotus

The Gathering

    Ok so it has been a few months since my last post but I have had a lot on my plate!  This post is about The Gathering of the Juggalos and how it has become a mecca of sorts for all Juggalos.  First off for those who don't know The Gathering is a once a year 4-day festival held in Cave-In-Rock, IL by Psychopathic Records.  They bring in a huge number of bands, comedians, wresters, actors, etc. and just cut loose and have fun.  So this year once again ICP has done it by brining in the man himself, Ice Mutha fuckin cube!  This will be his second appearance I believe.  Over the years, several hundred artists have performed at the Gathering of the Juggalos. Outside of the label's roster, notable artists who have become a common stay at the event include Project Born, Kottonmouth Kings, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Vanilla Ice, Zug Izland, Esham, Tech N9ne, Wolfpac, 2 Live Crew, Rehab, Necro, Haystak, King Gordy, Prozak, Three 6 Mafia, Afroman, Bizarre, Big B, and Coolio.
Notable guest performances include Mack 10, Bubba Sparxxx, Dope, Killah Priest, Bushwick Bill, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Kurupt, Powerman 5000, Digital Underground, Drowning Pool, Too $hort, Ying Yang Twins, Mushroomhead, Andrew W.K., Ice Cube, GWAR, Scarface, Naughty by Nature, Spice 1, Method Man & Redman, Above the Law, Warren G, Tila Tequila, Tone Lōc, and Rob Base.
  ICP has stated they try to bring a lot of variety to the Gahtering because they want Juggalos to not only enjoy the music they put ouut but want them to be open to all genres and accept everyone.  There have been several artists who performed at the gathering that did not work out and once a year they recieve a booby prize or award based on not being a successful act at the Gathering that has been lovingly called the Bubba Sparxxx award since he was the first to recieve it.
  The Gathering has garnered main stream attention from SNL as they have made several spoof Gathering commercials which have run on the show.
  As I was watching a TV show about motorcycle gangs and Sturgis I made a connection to Juggalos and the Gathering.  Sturgis is the most widely known motorcycle gathering and it was only because Sturgis, SD has accepted the fringe society known as bikers.  The Gathering has the same roots.  For years ICP moved location to location trying to find a place to call home.  For years we have been pushed out cause we are outcasts, punk kids, gangsters, etc.  Until Cave-In-Rock opened their doors.  And I can safely say we cannot thank them enough.  Without their support the Gathering would be a nomadic event and while that would be ok we love having a place to call our own.  Now Juggalos we need to keep our minds right.  We need to ensure we do not go into the small town that has accepted us and ruin it with stupidity and dumb decisions.  We have to change how people think of us.  We have to be the example of fans who are accepted everywhere.  There are a lot of us and there will always be a few bad apples, but we need to put out such a positive vibe that those small problems do not even matter.
  So am I telling you not to drink, smoke, or have fun hell no!  Go do it up, just be smart.  We juggalos and juggalettes need to keep our relationship with Cave-In-Rock positive and awesome.  We will be welcomed there for years to come as long as we do it the right way.  Much love to the fam and all who might be just checking me out.


Juggalotus