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

First ever CD review Twiztid Cryptic Collection Vol. 4

So here is something new from me an actual review of a newly released CD from Psychopathic Records.  I chose Twiztid's newest release Cryptic Collection Vol 4!  Here is how I am going to do this, I am going to go track by track giving my thoughts and then a short ending with my overall opinion with a score out of 10.  I plan to go back over all the releases this year and also include my review of the American Psycho tour cd.  So here we go:

Twiztid Cryptic Collection 4 Track List:

Lil Poot & Big Stank - Majik Majik Ninja- Nice way to open a cd.  Not to deep just Twiatid having fun in the studio.

Lil Poot & Big Stank - Big Money- Instant classic.  They made Big Money Hustlas and this track is no different.  Very humor filled.

My Addiction - with Mike E. Clark- Origionally on Psychopathics from outer space 3.  Great song.  A look inside the minds of the demented duo.  Add in Mike E Clark and what else could you need.

Need Some Help - with Mike E. Clark, Prozak, Tech N9ne, Krizz Kaliko- This is off the Fright Fest 05 CD.  Anything Twiztid does with Tech N9ne is devistating.  Love the track.

Speculationz - with E40- Track off the Green Book.  Not one of my favorites but still a good track

Gimme More - with ICP- First new track on this CD.  Nice track.  It is always good when the two groups team up.  Different styles of course but a nice addition.  I absolutely love the music and slow flow of this song.

Hell On Earth- Off the End of Days EP.  Great song.  A lot more Rock and metal than most Twiztid tracks but still not completely out of the scope of what they normally do.

Wild Out- Second new track this time with ROC.  Great combo.  HOK in the house on this one. 

Hold On To Me- Another End of Days tour CD pick here.  Nice song and with the Scarcrow on it it is nothing less than awesome.

Yuwannahoe- From Psychopathics from outer space part 2.  Interesting thing here is that even though Esham still does the intro he has been removed from the track.  I know they have had beef and I guess it is understandable.

Monster Inside - with Prozak- Prozak adds a nice touch here.  I like how Twiztid can rap on almost any beat.  Weird chorus but very eerie.

Wake Up - with ABK and The ROC-  From the Fright Fest 03 EP. Along the same lines as other Twiztid tracks.  Sounds like something cut from The Green Book.

If They Don't Come For Me- Slower beat.  Nice track that I have not ever heard before.

Hell Ride - with Violent J- Off the End of Days EP.  Awesome track.  Very dark sound.

Prey For Us- Fast tempo but still Twiztid.

Zombie- Ready for the Zombie Apocolypse?  This song is all about it.  Once again sounds like a song that belongs on The Green Book.

Moonlight- One of the more skitzo tracks on the album.  Great verses and very slow chorus.

  All in all this is one of the better compilation cd's they have put out.  There were enough new tracks to be worth the money.  I am a fan of actually buying the cd to support the artists so I don't download tracks.  Twiztid has made a very nice effort to give you a lot of music for the money.  If you love Twiztid you will love the cd.  If you have never heard them before check it out you wont be disappointed.

Album rating: 8.5 of 10

  I have more reviews coming so let me know if you like it or what you would like to see change.

MMFWCL,
  Juggalotus

Esham's rant on Psychopathic

  So today while checking out Faygoluvers I watched a video posted by Esham on Youtube that gives his side of why he left Psychopathic.  In this video he gives derogatory statements about the entire Psychopathic family.  How much of the video is based on fact is debateable.  So here is the video in question:




  So my feelings are this.  While watching the video I found myself questioning Esham and his motives.  He comes across like he is bitching about something and has no facts to back it up.  He makes claims of pedophilia, homosexuality, and shady money dealings.  He seems like he is a boyfriend/girlfriend who is complaining because they were hurt personally in a business dealing.  Now I know the rap game is a mix of both and there is always some reason to "beef" with someone else.  While I respect Esham as an origionator of the genre this video really hurts his credibilty.  To me Psychopathic reached out to him, due to his influence on their music, at a time when he had become irrelevent in the genre.  He was past his prime and I truely feel he used ICP and Psychopathic records to increase his fanbase.  I know the Family and know this post will kill what Juggalos and Juggalettes he has left as fans.  He does say he loves Juggalos, but in ripping Psychopathic he is not going to keep us around.

  I truely love the family and this movement.  While I have yet to read Psychopathic records official response, I do hope they will pass it off and let it go.  We as Juggalo/Juggalettes need to make sure we do not jump to conclusions.  We do not know both sides of the story and we don't know how much of the video is true.  From what I know about the music and company an official response is forthcoming, no guarantee that is going to happen.

MMFCL,
  Juggalotus

Denver American Psycho Tour

Juggalos and Juggalettes this is your homie from New Mexico Juggalotus.  I just got back from the Juggalo Infantry 4 day road trip to Denver, CO to see the ICP American Psycho tour with Draztik the Terrible.  I decided to hop on the blog and give you a quick review.

Wed Sept 28th- Day started about 1 pm as we arrived at the venue to get in line.  Doors opened at 7pm so we had a long wait.  Just chilled in line with a few homies.  We watched them unload the truck and at one point who do we see walking toward us but Blaze ya Dead Homie, Mono, and Madrox!  They walked by and we gave them a "whut up fam!"  Then some jack hole hound dogs approached them offering weed and shit.  They went next door to the music shop and spent about 20-30 min in there.  When they came out they had to walk through the isiots again.  As they went by Jamie came over to us and dapped our hands.  It was fresh.  So 7 pm finally comes and the venue opens.  We make our way inside and wait for showtime.  The opening acts hit the stage I think they were called the SK records crew or something.  The first group were ok but the second were horrid.  Then Mike E Clark hit the stage.  He hit us with the murder mix for about 45 min and then left the stage.  Finally it was time for Dark Mutha Fuckin Lotus!  They hit the stage in the standard lotus paint, black pants, black dress shirts, and white ties.  They flipped our wigs for over an hour covering tracks from the entire catalog that is Dark Lotus.  All of them had smiles from ear to ear the entire show.  It was unbelievable.  That was the first of many amazing shows this few days, tomorrow would hold Blaze, Twiztid, ICP, and another special guest.

Thurs Sept 29th- Day started a little earlier around 12 cause we knew this show would be packed.  Not much happened in line other than a Denver Sheriff van rolling by and the passenger (a cop) leaning out of the window flashing East side and shouting "Whoop Whoop Ninjas!" that cop is the shit!  We get inside and wait for the show.  First up was the Wolpac.  There show was alright.  Standard for them strippers, rolling papers, and mosh pits.  They left the stage and the crew removed their equipment.  Then like 10 min later Ya dead homie hit the stage.  To say he left anyone alive would be an understatement, he straight murdered it.  He played all the hits and left no one disappointed.  Next up was the demented duo themselves.  Stage was set up with padded institutional walls, 2 decrepit wheelchairs, and 2 bis of bloody body parts.  They hit the stage and blew my wig off!  The set started with Ha ha ha ha ha ha and went from there.  The covered their entire collection and even had Blaze come back onstage and perform Triple Threat with em.  As if their show was not enough we still had ICP to go.  I was blown away at this point but wanted the Dons themselves.  As we waited the crew rolls 4 yes I said 4 huge barrels full of Faygo onto the stage in front of the curtain.  I knew even in the balcony I was not safe.  Then the speakers hit with the Star Spangled Banner and the curtain slowly opened to reveal Mike E Clark in the DJ booth spinning.  He slows the music down to a demented sounding om age to America before the carnival music kicked in.  Then the clown came on stage in a slow robotic like style.  Lights went out and the show kicks off with "In Yo Face".  ICP owned the stage for more than an hour and we were all blown back and wondering if we still had domes.  It was awesome.  They finished of course with Faygo Armageddon and Bang Pow Boom.  All in all the show alone would have been enough, but this is Denver and we were lucky enough to have 1 of the Rydas after parties!
  We made our way to the other venue and when we got in Mike E Clark was on stage murdering shit again!  He is unstoppable.  After about an hour we hear gunshots and the Rydas creep onto the stage.  To say I was eager to see it would be an understatement.  I have never had the privilege to see the Rydas.  So this was the greatest moment for me in recent times.  They hit the stage and left no one in the place with any watches, jewelry, and wigs.  The robbed everyone of all their shit and blew our minds at the same time.  If the Rydas are in your town look out mutha fackos.  The night ended with Bullet on stage telling us how much they loved us all and how much they missed being in Denver.  He did not seem to want to leave the stage.  It was Amazing.

  So all in all I had the most entertaining week I have had in a long time.  As a long time Juggalo I loved every moment of these shows.  Psychopathic did not disappoint and if you miss this show you WILL regret it.  Check it out Ninjas and Ninjettes.  Paul Andresen of Big Money Rustlas fame was also there filming all week so we may be getting a documentary of the tour soon (I hope it happens).  Juggalo Infantry was on spot and representing all week so look for twitter, youtube and facebook posts from the trip cause that's how we do.

Peace out,
  Juggalotus

Music and Ethnicity

So a few weeks ago I was having a discussion with a black female co-worker about music.  The conversation went like this:

Co-Worker: "Man you look tired."
Me: "Yeah I stayed up late last night watching the Kottonmouth Kings Concert online.  It ended like 1:30!"
Co-Worker: "Who are the Kottonmouth kings?"
Me:  "They are a rap group from Cali, you have never heard of them?"
Co-Worker:  "No I sure haven't."

That was it.  Simple and I thought no more of it after the fact.  That happened on a Sat, The next Friday there were 5 of us in the office including her and I and we all were joking around and cutting some racial jokes and other random stuff.  Out of nowhere she says "Oh like you assumed I like rap music cause I am black" I was stunned and tried my best to grasp what she had said.  I responded "uh no I never assumed you liked it cause you were black I was telling you why I was tired that day and surprised you had never heard of the group."  Like ten minutes of her going off ended when a fellow co-worker chimed in and told her I would have asked him the question the same way and hes white.  Long story short I guess I can't discuss my likes or dislikes because someone may get upset.

  Now the point of the story was this, to me music has no color.  Sure the roots of certain kinds of music is ethnic but by now as a culture we have evolved beyond that.  To me music is liked by anyone not just certain groups.  I mean look at country music.  For a long time is was white redneck music.  Now there are several black country musicians.  In rap we have a lot of white rappers, latin rappers, asian, etc.  Music is the common bond between races.  It is supposed to make you feel good and not care who else might like it.  Why do certain people have to ruin it.  I mean if you have insecurities about your race fine but do not play the race card because you took it the wrong way.  If you are offended ask the person if that was their intent.  If they say no believe them.  Racial bigotry is something many of us have experienced no matter what our color of skin.  As a community we need to keep spreading the love.  Keep doing the right thing and preaching acceptance.

  As a people I think we need to evolve mentally.  Do the same things in private you would do if someone was right in front of you.  That is true integrity.

J

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

Petition to Albuquerque

Scottie D at Faygoluvers posted a link yesterday to a petition began by New Mexico Juggalos to the Mayor of Albuquerque to reverse his ban on Psychopathic artists.  I have signed it and am encouraging all Juggalos and Juggalettes no matter where you live to sign it.  This kind of discrimination has got to stop.  No other fan base has had to endure what we have.  This is a call to action and I hope all of you will sign this as we attempt  to make a difference.

Let Us Enjoy Our Music @ PetitionOnline.com
Now on a side note they also posted an interview with Scott Hall of wrestling fame claiming he is now a huge part of Psychopathic sports!  I am for it if we can get him off his drug/alcohol issues.  Big news for us wrestling fans.

Did anyone watch the hatchet attacks this past Sat night?  I couldn't but would love to hear your thoughts.

Peace,
  Juggalotus