Nicholas Johansen has become the latest member of the Canadian press to publish an article involving the Insane Clown Posse‘s return to Canada.
In this article Nicholas speaks with a few Juggalos that were headed to a recent show. You can read the article below.
Music fans headed to the Billy Idol concert at Prospera Place Thursday night may have noticed a different group of unique concert-goers heading in the other direction.
The Juggalos took over Sapphire nightclub to see the Insane Clown Posse, who are touring across Canada for the first time in 16 years.
For those uninformed on what a Juggalo or an Insane Clown Posse is, seeing the swarms of people with somewhat frightening clown face paint wandering the streets of downtown Kelowna may have been a little concerning.
But the Juggalos say they’re simply misunderstood.
The Insane Clown Posse, or ICP as they’re known to fans, is made up of Shaggy 2 Dope, born Joey Utsler, and Violent J, born Joseph Bruce.
They’ve been performing together for the last 26 years, and have created their own own genre of horror-rap, along with their very own subculture following, the Juggalos.
“It’s a thing about unity,” said Kenny, a Juggalo on his way to the Kelowna show. “It’s about taking all the people that are outcasts, misplaced, the downtrodden, and bringing them together. Setting them on a course in life.
“It’s a very positive message that ICP has, if you dig through the layers of the music and actually pay attention to what they’re saying. It gives people who have no hope, hope.”
Utsler and Bruce perform their shows in full clown makeup, and their fans follow suit. The full spectrum of Juggalos was on display Thursday night, with some fans going all out with face makeup and costumes.
While some may find the Juggalo style a little different, Juggalos say they’re all about not judging others.
“Everybody that I grew up with, we don’t judge people, we just do what we want, we paint our face, we wear what we want, we have fun, we love everybody, everybody’s family,” said Natasha, on her way to the show with a painted face.
It’s been 16 years since The Insane Clown Posse played in Canada, and many of their fans were seeing them for the first time Thursday.
“When it really rolls down to it, ICP was my first favourite band,” said Kenny. “We’ve been waiting a long time.”
Another concert-goer, Kyle, said Juggalo events are just a really good time.
“We’re here for the good times,” he said. “The Juggalos are cool people, they don’t fit into normal crowds and this is an event where everyone’s like, it doesn’t matter.”
Many said the Juggalo culture helps those who are going through rough times relate to others.
“You can be the scum of the barrel, like hated through high school and everything,” said Chris, in his ICP T-shirt. “I was a scrub Jehovah’s Witness, and I had no friends. I found this music and it brings out people. You walk around with a shirt like this and guys are like, ‘Hey, you’re awesome,’ and I’m like, ‘You’re better.’ Meanwhile, they were my bully in high school.”
At 30 years old, Chris is far removed from the social angst of high school, but his love of ICP and the Juggalos is still going strong.
“I dress up like a clown at least once a month and run around.”
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