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
Showing posts with label Gangs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gangs. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
My response to the removal of the Gang label
So I was asked recently to post a blog regarding the FBI
labeling us a gang. Back in November of
2011 I did respond to the release of the list, http://juggalosupport.blogspot.com/2011/11/fbi-and-juggalos.html. After reading the recent post by Dmize I feel
as though I need to write and expansion to the first blog.
Dmize posted the following: https://www.facebook.com/dmize505/posts/508326315862145?notif_t=like
The who, what,
where, and when are all self explanatory.
Then we come to the why. This is
where I feel the need to add onto this post.
He say “what makes a juggalo
"gang affiliated"... there is that small bunch of apples that give us
that bad name, but the question on everybodys mind is, why include the whole
subculture???” I agree completely
that a few bad apples has spoiled an otherwise peaceful group of people. He goes on further to state “when these bad apples go out, and commit
their crimes, they scream and claim "juggalo" just as a west sider or
latin king would represent his set while committing a crime. so as you can see.
many bad apples scream juggalo while committing crimes... that got the entire
"juggalo family" added to the list. now... do the math.. from one
city. to other cities. to state. to nation.....
Juggalo will not be removed from that until it is able to be proven were not all sociopathic assholes that cause shit for people.” This is where my opinion differs. Just because someone commits a crime and claims a certain group of people does not give the government or anyone the right to classify that group of people as a gang. Throughout history crimes have been committed in the name of things. During the Crusades terrible things were done in the name of God, yet no religions are on the gang list. Radical Islam commits crimes and horrific acts in the name of Allah, yet they are not on the gang list. The Arian Brotherhood, Satanists groups, KKK, Black Panthers, etc all commit crimes while claiming their affiliations but yet none of them made the list. These group actively advocate violence and disorder in our cities and towns. When it comes to Juggalos, we are a group of people with a common interest in music. For the most part we do not commit violent crimes similar to MS 13 or the Latin Kings yet we are being mentioned in the same breath with them because of a few “bad apples.”
Juggalo will not be removed from that until it is able to be proven were not all sociopathic assholes that cause shit for people.” This is where my opinion differs. Just because someone commits a crime and claims a certain group of people does not give the government or anyone the right to classify that group of people as a gang. Throughout history crimes have been committed in the name of things. During the Crusades terrible things were done in the name of God, yet no religions are on the gang list. Radical Islam commits crimes and horrific acts in the name of Allah, yet they are not on the gang list. The Arian Brotherhood, Satanists groups, KKK, Black Panthers, etc all commit crimes while claiming their affiliations but yet none of them made the list. These group actively advocate violence and disorder in our cities and towns. When it comes to Juggalos, we are a group of people with a common interest in music. For the most part we do not commit violent crimes similar to MS 13 or the Latin Kings yet we are being mentioned in the same breath with them because of a few “bad apples.”
He ends the post
by asking “HOW DO WE FIX THE
PROBLEM!???!!?”
To me the answer
is simple. If you are a true
Juggalo/Juggalette and the idea that you are included on the gang list pisses
you off, stop doing and committing crimes! And if you do get caught or arrested for
something remember it is not cool or fashionable to scream Juggalo at the top
of your lungs to cover up your bad decisions.
If you fall into the category I am in being an old school Juggalo or
Lette, act right and show the new generations what the movement is all
about. Don’t tag “Fuck the FBI” “Wicked
Clowns” or “Juggalo” on things, tagging is a crime. Don’t sell drugs, use drugs, or give the
authorities any reason to arrest you. That
is why so many of us have a bad name. Am
I saying don’t do those things because I oppose them, no I do not. But if you are driving in your car with
ounces of weed and paraphernalia don’t be mad at the cops when you get searched
and arrested! It is not the cops fault
you made a bad choice. They have a job
to do as well. With the exception of a
few “mall cops” I have had police pose questions about my hatchet jerseys. My answer is always the same “It represents a
record label out of Detroit” I have not been arrested or labeled a gang banger
because of my music or clothes I choose to wear. If you respect the authorities they will
respect you back.
We will never be
removed from the gang list if we continue to perpetuate the image the rest of
the world wants to see. As we approach
the holidays I suggest Juggalos and Juggalettes everywhere contact local
charities and see if you can volunteer to help.
When you go to help wear a jersey or charm. Don’t hide the fact you are a juggalo! Once we start to get positive publicity
things will change. Psychopathic records
has for the past few years done these things.
From the toy drive to the free performance at the shelter they are
setting the example. Follow their
example and things will change.
MMFWFL,
Juggalotus
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Street Cred and violence
In rap music there has always been beef. Weather it was due to a rapper in your city or a rapper from the other side of the country putting out a diss track on you, there has always been beef. For my generation the most famous beef out there was 2 Pac and Notorious B.I.G. Why is that the one that is most famous? Because it ended in 2 violent deaths. The rap world lost 2 great lyricists and rappers because what started as diss tracks escelated into street violence. Back in the beginning of rap music diss tracks existed too. The difference being when a rapper put out a diss track it was countered by the other rapper in a diss track. It was a battle of lyrics not violence. MC's battled on wax. That is how arguements and disagreements in rap should be handled. The idea that jumping someone or even getting more violent to prove you are the better rapper or you hold your city down better is senseless. Violence stems nothing but more violence. Going to prison because you commited violent crime trying to "rep" your city does not make you a better lyricist or rapper than anyone else, it makes you a criminal.
Why am I bringing this up you might be asking? Well the simple answer is this, here in Amarillo, TX we have 2 groups that have been long time friends and partners for shows and music. There is a huge 2nd Annual Gathering taking place in the city in Sept. Last year the same people were involved and it went off great. Everyone benefited from the show. This year however things are different. I have been watching over the past few weeks as these 2 groups devolved from a dispute to a verbal fight to threats of violence. One side says they got kicked off the show for various reasons the other says they refused to give the group what they wanted and they walked away from the show. The next thing that happened was the event page was deleted by the side that was no longer involved which caused the verbal battle to happen via Facebook. Of course a lot of other people on that page started a discussion on the new event page. Then the side that deleted the first page got on and started throwing verbal blows due to anger. This led to some people from Albuquerque, NM to start throwing jabs back. It also led to other folks in Amarillo getting mad and threatening violence. I don't know how it all ended because I do not live in that city. But I do know what I was reading and I can tell you that both sides are wrong.
The one thing this Juggalo movement was started for was to unite the underground not divide it. Both of these parties claim to be Juggalo family. Both of them claim to hold it down for the underground. Both of them claim to have Much Family Love. But both of them are missing the point of all of it. If they truely believe what they say they should be lifting each other up. Supporting each other. Even if they disagree on things they shouldn't wish harm against anyone on the other side. We are all trying to make it in this business. If someone hurts your feelings make a diss track! Let them respond. This gets you both exposure and allows a healthier outlet for your feelings. Threatening or commiting violence will do nothing to further your career.
I try to promote everyone in the underground I feel is good enough to make it. If I don't think someone has the skills or abilities I wont diss them I just wont promote them. This family we are in is splintered here in West Texas and we need to do something about it before it is to late. I have seen talented rappers lost because of egos and hurt feelings. It is time to leave the hood mentality behind and grow into artists and business people. Until we do that a lot of talent is going to go to waste. We want the gang label to get removed we need to stop acting like thugs!
MMFWCL,
Juggalotus
Why am I bringing this up you might be asking? Well the simple answer is this, here in Amarillo, TX we have 2 groups that have been long time friends and partners for shows and music. There is a huge 2nd Annual Gathering taking place in the city in Sept. Last year the same people were involved and it went off great. Everyone benefited from the show. This year however things are different. I have been watching over the past few weeks as these 2 groups devolved from a dispute to a verbal fight to threats of violence. One side says they got kicked off the show for various reasons the other says they refused to give the group what they wanted and they walked away from the show. The next thing that happened was the event page was deleted by the side that was no longer involved which caused the verbal battle to happen via Facebook. Of course a lot of other people on that page started a discussion on the new event page. Then the side that deleted the first page got on and started throwing verbal blows due to anger. This led to some people from Albuquerque, NM to start throwing jabs back. It also led to other folks in Amarillo getting mad and threatening violence. I don't know how it all ended because I do not live in that city. But I do know what I was reading and I can tell you that both sides are wrong.
The one thing this Juggalo movement was started for was to unite the underground not divide it. Both of these parties claim to be Juggalo family. Both of them claim to hold it down for the underground. Both of them claim to have Much Family Love. But both of them are missing the point of all of it. If they truely believe what they say they should be lifting each other up. Supporting each other. Even if they disagree on things they shouldn't wish harm against anyone on the other side. We are all trying to make it in this business. If someone hurts your feelings make a diss track! Let them respond. This gets you both exposure and allows a healthier outlet for your feelings. Threatening or commiting violence will do nothing to further your career.
I try to promote everyone in the underground I feel is good enough to make it. If I don't think someone has the skills or abilities I wont diss them I just wont promote them. This family we are in is splintered here in West Texas and we need to do something about it before it is to late. I have seen talented rappers lost because of egos and hurt feelings. It is time to leave the hood mentality behind and grow into artists and business people. Until we do that a lot of talent is going to go to waste. We want the gang label to get removed we need to stop acting like thugs!
MMFWCL,
Juggalotus
Sunday, April 1, 2012
The Underground and Family
As many of you know I have been a Juggalo for a long time. I have noticed a lot of changes in the fanbase and the mentality of the fans. Which is one of the major reasons I created this blog. I wanted to remind the Family why we are all Juggalos. All of us are drawn to the underground for a lot of different reasons. Some for the sense of community. Some for the love of the music. Some just because they don't fit anywhere else. When I found the music it changed me. I have found a lot of comfort in the music, sense of community, and overall love I have experienced. I found a place where everyone who comes in is welcomed. Where it dsoesn't really matter where you came from, who your parents are, or why you are down. All that matters is that you are who you are. No expectations. You wanna wear paint, do it. You don't wanna wear paint, don't. You wanna buy the merch go ahead. This community allows you to be yourself, whatever you might be.
In the past few years things have changed, and not for the better. We now are classified as a gang. Why you might ask, well because a few people who don't embrace the family or the message of the music have done a lot of really bad crap in the name of Juggalos everywhere. Now a few bad apples will spoil any bunch but instead of the family bonding together and changing the opinions of the masses there is a growing population of rebellious teen/20 somethings that have decided to act out against the tag negatively instead of handling it right. Now not all young fans are that way but I am seeing this growing trend and feel it is my place as a veteran Juggalo to say something. Instead of screaming "Fuck the police" and flipping off the world we need to do the right things to make people see us in a different light. Psychopathic records has made this effort and we need to follow their example. Last Christmas they had a toy drive and a month ago they had Juggalo day and performed at a homeless shelter. They did these things not because they were getting paid to do it but becuse they wanted the"real" world to see us in a good light. They are showing us the right way to change peoples minds about out Family.
I try everyday to make sure I do things that are going to make us as Juggalos and Juggalettes look good. I don't throw up gang signs, flip people off for looking at my hatchet, scream obscenities for no reason, etc. I don't do drugs, drink, or smoke but those are personal choices. If you do those things you have the right and I think you can do those things, although drugs are illegal at this time. By wearing the hatchet we have a bullseye on us from the jump, why would we do anything to further the BS that we are all losers or gang bangers by doing stupid stuff? If you do positive things and still rep the hatchet then we all look good. The more positive things that happen while people rep our Family crest the better we will all be.
I have begun booking and promoting shows here in West Texas. Since starting this process I have found another disturbing trend among our Family, Family ripping off Family. I am currently working with T.O.N.E-Z and MARS to do a show in Lubbock on April 21. When I began to book the openers I kept getting asked how much money I was going to charge them for a 20 min set. I was stunned. Why on Earth would I charge a local underground act any money to fill a 20 min set I need to have booked. Perhaps if it was a major record label name or more mainstream I might consider it, but even then it would be unlikely. By filling that 20 min slot in the show they are helping me out. On top of that if they promote the hell out of the show and sell a ton of tickets I make sure they get a cut of the profits, thus they are getting paid to fill a slot. All of those people that emailed seemed to think it was normal and ok that so-called Family was charging them to play a show. Promoter/bookers should never make their profit off openers, those acts have enough costs in just making the music that charging them is just low.
When I put out my flyer for the show I did not realize that one of my openers had been working on being a part of another show the same day. But because I had all my stuff already confirmed they chose my show. The other promoter and their friends took to facebook and any other social media they could to basically say I was stepping on their turf, stealing their openers, and taking money out of their pocket. The biggest problem is they didn't even know who I was. They thought one of my openers was booking/promoting the show and due to prior problems decided to rip the show apart without knowing who was actually promoting it. We are all trying to get the underground noticed and there is no reason that anyone should bad mouth another show. There is enough shows coming through any city that more than one promoter can work there. There just has to be COMMUNICATION between these promoters to make sure that openers are not double booked, venues are not being fought over, and the shows are all successful.
These issues have all been resolved once I was communicating with the people involved. My point in this whole blog is that as a community and Family we need to look out for each other. No one else is going to do it for us. If you know of a show in your area promote it! If you want to hel with a show ask the promoter/booker. There is a ton of cost involved in these projects and all help is most definitely appreciated.
Lets keep our group in the positive. There is no reason to commit crimes, tag buildings, rob people, etc and then claim the hatchet like a badge of honor. Lets do all we can to change the idea people have of juggalos. Only we can change that perception.
MMFWCL,
Juggalotus
In the past few years things have changed, and not for the better. We now are classified as a gang. Why you might ask, well because a few people who don't embrace the family or the message of the music have done a lot of really bad crap in the name of Juggalos everywhere. Now a few bad apples will spoil any bunch but instead of the family bonding together and changing the opinions of the masses there is a growing population of rebellious teen/20 somethings that have decided to act out against the tag negatively instead of handling it right. Now not all young fans are that way but I am seeing this growing trend and feel it is my place as a veteran Juggalo to say something. Instead of screaming "Fuck the police" and flipping off the world we need to do the right things to make people see us in a different light. Psychopathic records has made this effort and we need to follow their example. Last Christmas they had a toy drive and a month ago they had Juggalo day and performed at a homeless shelter. They did these things not because they were getting paid to do it but becuse they wanted the"real" world to see us in a good light. They are showing us the right way to change peoples minds about out Family.
I try everyday to make sure I do things that are going to make us as Juggalos and Juggalettes look good. I don't throw up gang signs, flip people off for looking at my hatchet, scream obscenities for no reason, etc. I don't do drugs, drink, or smoke but those are personal choices. If you do those things you have the right and I think you can do those things, although drugs are illegal at this time. By wearing the hatchet we have a bullseye on us from the jump, why would we do anything to further the BS that we are all losers or gang bangers by doing stupid stuff? If you do positive things and still rep the hatchet then we all look good. The more positive things that happen while people rep our Family crest the better we will all be.
I have begun booking and promoting shows here in West Texas. Since starting this process I have found another disturbing trend among our Family, Family ripping off Family. I am currently working with T.O.N.E-Z and MARS to do a show in Lubbock on April 21. When I began to book the openers I kept getting asked how much money I was going to charge them for a 20 min set. I was stunned. Why on Earth would I charge a local underground act any money to fill a 20 min set I need to have booked. Perhaps if it was a major record label name or more mainstream I might consider it, but even then it would be unlikely. By filling that 20 min slot in the show they are helping me out. On top of that if they promote the hell out of the show and sell a ton of tickets I make sure they get a cut of the profits, thus they are getting paid to fill a slot. All of those people that emailed seemed to think it was normal and ok that so-called Family was charging them to play a show. Promoter/bookers should never make their profit off openers, those acts have enough costs in just making the music that charging them is just low.
When I put out my flyer for the show I did not realize that one of my openers had been working on being a part of another show the same day. But because I had all my stuff already confirmed they chose my show. The other promoter and their friends took to facebook and any other social media they could to basically say I was stepping on their turf, stealing their openers, and taking money out of their pocket. The biggest problem is they didn't even know who I was. They thought one of my openers was booking/promoting the show and due to prior problems decided to rip the show apart without knowing who was actually promoting it. We are all trying to get the underground noticed and there is no reason that anyone should bad mouth another show. There is enough shows coming through any city that more than one promoter can work there. There just has to be COMMUNICATION between these promoters to make sure that openers are not double booked, venues are not being fought over, and the shows are all successful.
These issues have all been resolved once I was communicating with the people involved. My point in this whole blog is that as a community and Family we need to look out for each other. No one else is going to do it for us. If you know of a show in your area promote it! If you want to hel with a show ask the promoter/booker. There is a ton of cost involved in these projects and all help is most definitely appreciated.
Lets keep our group in the positive. There is no reason to commit crimes, tag buildings, rob people, etc and then claim the hatchet like a badge of honor. Lets do all we can to change the idea people have of juggalos. Only we can change that perception.
MMFWCL,
Juggalotus
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Kung Fu Vampire Interview
Ok so the Bay Area Vampire himself Kung Fu Vampire took time to sit downand answer a few questions for the family. Without further delay here is what he had to say:
Juggalotus: For the new fan of your music, can you give us a quick breakdown of your career and where it all started?
KFV: 7th grade I was watching two kids rappin’ on the school yard, 1 white 1 black and they had a huge crowd around them flocking and jocking. Me being a total music fan Hip Hop and metal I would watch. Bu the 2nd time I crowded around that circle I was thinking to myself “these guys suck, I could rap better than them and I don’t rap” So i started rapping and making beats. But prior to that my hip hop 101 began at 5 years old when I use to break-dance, I was damn good and won a contest at 7 years old at the Weinershnitzel across from the ghetto ass apartments we lived in.
Juggs: What musical influences made Kung Fu Vampire who he is today?
KFV: The Doors, Metallica, Kurtis Blow, Talking Heads, Ice Cube, Ice-T, Scarface
Juggs: What music would we be surprised to find on your Ipod?
KFV: One of my all time favorites, Steely Dan, but my whole theme in life is to expect the unexpected with me, so there is a bunch of stuff on my ipod that would leave your face sideways.
Juggs: Do you think your music has a positive influence on your fan base?
KFV: YES: as an outlet for anger and releasing toxins at a concert by sweating in the mosh pit. No: for the fact that I’m no Positive Influence musically. That being said i think it is obvious that we are classy and take pride in family and friends. People are wonderful, i am a humanitarian and a conversation with me after a performance should leave you in good spirits.
Juggs: Of all the artists in the underground scene who do you think would best translate into a more mainstream fan base?
KFV: I don’t know if anybody has really come from the underground and made it to mainstream, I know its talked about often but i never see it. Some people get known faster cuz they sound like something familiar that they have heard before. When your sound is cutting edge people don’t identify with you as an artist as quickly so the rise to popularity takes longer, making someone truly underground.
Juggs: Can we expect to see you hitting the stage at the Gathering in the future?
KFV: I played the Gathering the last two years and it was better the 2nd time. If they ask me to do it for a third, i will be there.
Juggs: It is common knowledge that Twiztid loves comic books, are there any favorite comics or guilty pleasures we should know about you?
KFV: Not a comic reading fan but i like writing graphic novels and short stories. I have had a Kung Fu Vampire comic book on the back-burner for years now.
Juggs: What artists either main stream or not would you like to work with in the future?
KFV: I really don’t care anymore about doing songs with people. If anything I wanna work with some of the Funk Legends that are still alive. I’d like to work with Prince as well as maybe Metallica and of course the remaining members of the Doors.
Juggs: A lot of rappers started in battles. Did you participate in any rap battles growing up?
KFV: Never Battle rapped, back when I was coming up in the rap scene it was about Freestyle contests, basically showing your skills but now directed at a rapper but just really good lyrics and getting the crowd to love you. I use to kill those left and right for a short period of time but I am mainly an artist who likes to make music to vibe out to for decades to come.
Juggs: Do you have any superstitions?KFV: I feel like the world will treat you how you treat the world. That’s about it. Treat people with respect and fairness.
Juggs: What advice would you give someone trying to break into the horror core/underground rap genre?
KFV: The obvious advice would be to not try to break into that scene, just do you and if it’s wicked enough the fans will come to you. Stop trying to imitate ICP, it’s pathetic. Make up your own shit.
Juggs: By embracing the Juggalo community your open yourself up for haters. Have you had any experience with that since working with Juggalos?
KFV: More love than anything, I don’t like Haters but we need them to create balance, I don’t think constant praise is healthy for artists. I get occasional haters that don’t understand my style or unique presentation.
Juggs: What are your feelings on Juggalos being added to the F.B.I.’s gang list?
KFV: It’s seriously bad and the FBI is a joke for even doing this. They are really out to lunch on this one.
Juggs: How did you get hooked up with Twiztid for the Slaughterhouse tour?
KFV: Monoxide from Twiztid liked my video and music and asked someone to get a hold of me to bring me on the tour.
Juggs: What can we expect from KFV in 2012?
KFV: New album, possibly two albums. Huge tours and to expect the un-expected.
Juggs: Any final thoughts for the Family?
KFV: Stick together, for most of us family and people like us is all you have. Support what I do if you feel it, i represent you and the struggle. I have been making and releasing music for 20 years and just now getting praise, it takes a life time. Stay true to your dreams and slow down on the Faygo, its bad for you, and as a Vampire, I wanna see you Live so we can be friends forever.
Respect,
Kung Fu Vampire
Once again much love going out to KFV for taking time out his busy schedule to hook us up. It gave us a nice glimpse into his world.
MMFWCL,
Juggalotus
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Low Down and Dirty Tour
So tomorrow my friends and I are going to the Low Down and Dirty tour in Lubbock, TX! This is headlined by Boondox and Mars. The most awesome part is Mars has agreed to sit down after the show and do an interview for my little blog here. To say I am excited would be an understatement. So the plan is to go see the show, and of course you guys will get a nice review of the trip, and then after hit up Mars for an interview. I think I am most looking forward to having the ability to get his take on the music/movies/video games make people do bad things debate. I watched his interview on CBS about the Syko Sam killings and am fairly certain I know his position but it will be a good chance to ask other related questions from a non-anti-horrocore perspective. I also have several other groups that have agreed to interviews, but I will keep their names hidden until they are done and ready to be posted.
I am still waiting on T.O.N.E.-Z to get back to me about his interview but know I have not forgotten you guys want it! Any underground or up and coming artists in the West Texas/New Mexico region, heck anywhere for that matter, that would like to hit me up for an interview feel free. I love being able to help you guys get your name out there. I also love promoting the genre and all the bands/groups making it happen. I want this blog to become what it should be, a positive place for promoting Horrorcore fans and artists and changing the image the mainstream media and law enforcement has of us. We can make a difference and we can change things. We may never be "accepted" by those people but we should not be outcast by them either.
I will get my review of the tour and the interview up hopefully Monday or Tuesday.
MMFWCL,
Juggalotus
I am still waiting on T.O.N.E.-Z to get back to me about his interview but know I have not forgotten you guys want it! Any underground or up and coming artists in the West Texas/New Mexico region, heck anywhere for that matter, that would like to hit me up for an interview feel free. I love being able to help you guys get your name out there. I also love promoting the genre and all the bands/groups making it happen. I want this blog to become what it should be, a positive place for promoting Horrorcore fans and artists and changing the image the mainstream media and law enforcement has of us. We can make a difference and we can change things. We may never be "accepted" by those people but we should not be outcast by them either.
I will get my review of the tour and the interview up hopefully Monday or Tuesday.
MMFWCL,
Juggalotus
Saturday, November 12, 2011
FBI and Juggalos
So a new story has been released that has taken me a week to process my feelings on. The FBI has decided to label Juggalos as an official gang in their latest gang threat assessment. Here is what they say about Juggalos:
"The Juggalos, a loosely-organized hybrid gang, are rapidly expanding into many US communities. Although recognized as a gang in only four states, many Juggalos subsets exhibit gang-like behavior and engage in criminal activity and violence. Law enforcement officials in at least 21 states have identified criminal Juggalo sub-sets, according to NGIC reporting."
They go on to describe the crimes committed by Juggalos as this:
"Most crimes committed by Juggalos are sporadic, disorganized, individualistic, and often involve simple assault, personal drug use and possession, petty theft, and vandalism. However, open source reporting suggests that a small number of Juggalos are forming more organized subsets and engaging in more gang-like criminal activity, such as felony assaults, thefts, robberies, and drug sales. Social networking websites are a popular conveyance for Juggalo sub-culture to communicate and expand."
Then they further go on to say that:
"Juggalos’ disorganization and lack of structure within their groups, coupled with their transient nature, makes it difficult to classify them and identify their members and migration patterns. Many criminal Juggalo sub-sets are comprised of transient or homeless individuals"
So looking at their assessment it is safe to assume that all Juggalos are Transient, drug using, who engage in such horrific criminal activity that we cannot be trusted. Now anyone who knows a Juggalo/Juggalette will be the first to tell you we are nothing like the FBI has made us out to be. As a general population we are peaceful outcasts who want nothing more than to fit in. That is what the "family" gives us. A good example is the Gathering. In 2010 Tila Tequila was invited to the Gathering and proceeded to get a lot of crap thrown at her, everything from rocks, to trash, to feces (supposedly). So this year the media ascended on the Gathering in hopes of having a violent story to tell the world about how terrible we are. The problem was that after 4 days they had nothing to report on. No fights, arrests, deaths, fires, violence, etc. They had nothing to talk about except how nice the event was. How peaceful we were. How they were welcomed even though for the most part Juggalos hate the way the media reports on us. That speaks volumes in my opinion.
I would ask the FBI or any law enforcement agency to gather thousands of actual gang members, aka Bloods, Crips, MS13, etc. in one location for 4 days and see how much violence and other things actually occur. Then maybe they would have a better perspective of who we are. Do I feel we are all innocent, hell no. But there are bad apples in every bunch. Every group has a few people that do not believe the same things or do the same things. That is what makes every group unique. Every subset in music has bad people. Every genre of music has fans that do not do the right things. This alone has never made the FBI classify them as gang members. But for Juggalos the few bad seeds have tainted our image permanently. Why is that? Why must we be singled out?
I wrote a blog earlier this year about other bands with rabid fans that states my opinions about this topic. Unfortunately this blog is only my opinions. I am actively trying to make a difference and maybe change the perception of the family. But until the entire family adopts this mentality I feel like we will never change the image. That alone will not stop me from doing the right things while wearing the hatchet proudly. Through actions we can change perceptions. Through deeds we can change lives. Just because we are outcasts does not mean we need to exclude others from the family. Welcome everyone and love them as your brothers and sisters. This is a positive movement and we can change the world.
MMWCL,
Juggalotus
"The Juggalos, a loosely-organized hybrid gang, are rapidly expanding into many US communities. Although recognized as a gang in only four states, many Juggalos subsets exhibit gang-like behavior and engage in criminal activity and violence. Law enforcement officials in at least 21 states have identified criminal Juggalo sub-sets, according to NGIC reporting."
They go on to describe the crimes committed by Juggalos as this:
"Most crimes committed by Juggalos are sporadic, disorganized, individualistic, and often involve simple assault, personal drug use and possession, petty theft, and vandalism. However, open source reporting suggests that a small number of Juggalos are forming more organized subsets and engaging in more gang-like criminal activity, such as felony assaults, thefts, robberies, and drug sales. Social networking websites are a popular conveyance for Juggalo sub-culture to communicate and expand."
Then they further go on to say that:
"Juggalos’ disorganization and lack of structure within their groups, coupled with their transient nature, makes it difficult to classify them and identify their members and migration patterns. Many criminal Juggalo sub-sets are comprised of transient or homeless individuals"
So looking at their assessment it is safe to assume that all Juggalos are Transient, drug using, who engage in such horrific criminal activity that we cannot be trusted. Now anyone who knows a Juggalo/Juggalette will be the first to tell you we are nothing like the FBI has made us out to be. As a general population we are peaceful outcasts who want nothing more than to fit in. That is what the "family" gives us. A good example is the Gathering. In 2010 Tila Tequila was invited to the Gathering and proceeded to get a lot of crap thrown at her, everything from rocks, to trash, to feces (supposedly). So this year the media ascended on the Gathering in hopes of having a violent story to tell the world about how terrible we are. The problem was that after 4 days they had nothing to report on. No fights, arrests, deaths, fires, violence, etc. They had nothing to talk about except how nice the event was. How peaceful we were. How they were welcomed even though for the most part Juggalos hate the way the media reports on us. That speaks volumes in my opinion.
I would ask the FBI or any law enforcement agency to gather thousands of actual gang members, aka Bloods, Crips, MS13, etc. in one location for 4 days and see how much violence and other things actually occur. Then maybe they would have a better perspective of who we are. Do I feel we are all innocent, hell no. But there are bad apples in every bunch. Every group has a few people that do not believe the same things or do the same things. That is what makes every group unique. Every subset in music has bad people. Every genre of music has fans that do not do the right things. This alone has never made the FBI classify them as gang members. But for Juggalos the few bad seeds have tainted our image permanently. Why is that? Why must we be singled out?
I wrote a blog earlier this year about other bands with rabid fans that states my opinions about this topic. Unfortunately this blog is only my opinions. I am actively trying to make a difference and maybe change the perception of the family. But until the entire family adopts this mentality I feel like we will never change the image. That alone will not stop me from doing the right things while wearing the hatchet proudly. Through actions we can change perceptions. Through deeds we can change lives. Just because we are outcasts does not mean we need to exclude others from the family. Welcome everyone and love them as your brothers and sisters. This is a positive movement and we can change the world.
MMWCL,
Juggalotus
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