What is a Juggalo?

A Juggalo is the name for a devoted fan of the American hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse or ICP, which consists of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope from Detroit. The term was first coined in the early 1990s during an ICP concert when Violent J called out to the crowd and fans embraced it as their identity. Juggalos are known for their distinctive culture that includes wearing clown face paint similar to ICP, wearing Hatchetman logo clothing representing Psychopathic Records, using slang like Whoop Whoop as a greeting, and sharing a strong sense of community based on acceptance of outsiders, misfits, and people who feel rejected by mainstream society. The central mythology for Juggalos is the Dark Carnival, a series of concept albums by ICP that tells moral stories similar to religious parables. Juggalos gather each year at the Gathering of the Juggalos, a multi-day music festival featuring underground rap, rock, comedy, and wrestling. While media sensationalism and a controversial 2011 FBI gang assessment created a negative stereotype, the vast majority of Juggalos are non-violent, loyal music fans who value family, which they call Juggalo Family, and who participate in charity work and mutual support networks. The female equivalent term is Juggalette, though many women also use Juggalo as inclusive.