Parents, teachers, music industry professionals, and
even Juggalos often have the same questions about ICP and their wicked
style of music. Psychopathic Records appreciates the value of free
speech and individual opinions, and would like to address some of the
most common questions about ICP with these official responses from their
P.R. department:
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1. Who is the target audience for ICP? ie age, race, class
"Target
Audience" is far too limiting and boring a term to use when describing
ICP fans. Because ICP's music is so unique and distinct, and not
promoted through public forums like radio or MTV, the audience tends to
find the music rather than the music finding an audience. We see ICP
fans as being open-minded, creative individuals, who seek out something
more from their music, and find it in the unique message and musical
style of ICP and the Dark carnival. We target no specific age, race or
class; we look more for people who sympathize with what ICP do, and
enjoy expressing themselves through this music. It's more a personality
type than a demographic.
2. Does ICP promote violence and drugs?
Like
any art form, music is a forum for the free expression of ideas and
experiences, and ICP utilize that freedom to the fullest. They use their
Insane Clown personas to reflect on the insane world around them, and
this world is indeed filled with violence. Their music is an expression
of their experiences and ideas, and a reaction to violent emotions, not
an endorsement of the violence itself. For instance, when ICP tell
stories of violent acts, they are just stories—expressing an emotional
response not intended to be seen as an actual suggestion. The Insane
Clowns carry out violence in songs, so their audience can vent
vicariously. The content of ICP's music is meant to be entertainment,
and as such it is no worse than a typical Hollywood blockbuster, or
violent video game. Unlike gangster rap, which encourages imitation, ICP
offer pure, carnival-based fantasy entertainment. If they were
genuinely promoting, or carrying out, violence in such a manner, they
would be the "Next in Line for a Lethal Injection Posse" and not the
public figures they actually are. The emotions and the sentiments are
real, the violence is not. As for drugs: this is rock and roll, so… no
comment.
3. According to one fan, juggalos are known to smoke
marijuana. Is ICP aware of this, do they promote it, and do they care
whether or not their teenage fans are using marijuana?
Juggalos are
known to smoke marijuana? Well, teenagers are known to smoke marijuana.
Fans at rock and hip-hop concerts are known to smoke marijuana.
Musicians of all types, from Willie Nelson to Snoop Dogg are known to
smoke marijuana. Musicians are also known to record songs about what
they believe in. Is that promotion or expression? You tell us. Of course
ICP care about what their fans are doing, and hope they are never
endangering themselves or others, but they also expect them to make
their own choices. There are no requirements to being an ICP fan, and
they will do what they will. Smoking marijuana or doing drugs is in no
way a required part of being a Juggalo, and in their 10 year career,
ICP have never promoted nor endorsed any hard narcotics. Anything else
is simply free expression.
4. There are some juggalos that have disciplinary problems at school. Is this a direct effect from listening to ICP?
As
stated in the answer to question 2, ICP's music is an expression. Much
of what they express is a reaction to negative emotions or negative
stimulus, and they provide an outlet for these reactions through song
lyrics. It is only natural that someone who is already surrounded by
negative emotions or stimulus would be attracted to ICP's music. While
listening to ICP music may be one way to address their feelings, certain
individuals may vent in other, less healthy ways beyond the music. It
is unfortunate that music is sometimes not enough for these troubled
individuals, but their actions are in no way a result of the music. If
anything, it is a sign that these individuals have needs far beyond what
an album can give-and they need to be helped as individuals, rather
than judged by their choice of music.
5. What is ICP's definition of a "true" juggalo?
Only
a "true" juggalo can answer that, but as stated previously, there are
no requirements to being a Juggalo. We don't care if you spend a dime on
merch, or if you know the words to every song. If this music touches
you, and you get some positive experience from it, we would be honored
to have you consider yourself a Juggalo.
6. Is ICP aware of the
term "juffalo" or "juggahoe" used to describe "fake" or "posing"
juggalos? What do they think about the use of the term and the term
itself?
While we certainly appreciate our fans' loyalty to us and to
one another, we must reiterate this statement: "There are no 'rules' to
being a Juggalo." If one fan feels another has betrayed or wronged
him/her personally, that is for them to resolve. We judge individuals on
their own merits, regardless of their music preference. If someone is
doing something a fan would rather avoid, than our advice is to avoid
it.
7. What is ICP's advice to juffalos?
If you need to hate
on Psychopathic music to feel good, or for attention, then you still
need Psychopathic. Embrace it or forsake it, don't waste time with
anything less. Life's too short.
8. How serious does ICP want their fans to take being a juggalo?
As
seriously as they take anything that interests them or brings them
happiness. As seriously as our artists take recording and performing it.
9. What is ICP's advice to juggalos facing problems at school with grades and fights and problems and at home?
Music
is a great outlet for frustration and grief, but it is only one outlet.
Fortunately, our fans tend to have a bond between one another, so that
they can usually find someone to share emotions and experiences with.
They can find each other and communicate online, by phone, at concerts,
and any number of ways. Sometimes, though, even this is not enough, and
in those cases, sometimes they gotta look somewhere else. To those
Juggalos we say this: "Sometimes your choice of music makes you a rebel,
and that's cool, but sometimes you gotta swallow your pride and seek
help from those who are out there to give it. Teachers, parents,
counselors, the clergy, and reach-out organizations may not understand
completely, and they may not be Juggalos, but it's their job to help if
you let them. Never let being a Juggalo keep you from being a better
Juggalo."
10. One of the rumored reasons that teenagers want to
become Juggalos is to fit in and get cheaper marijuana (since it is also
rumored that juggalos smoke marijuana). What advice can Psychopathic
give to fans concerned about this?
Sounds like "juffalos." See
questions 6 and 7, but here's some further advice: Anywhere you go, you
gotta look out for people tryin' to play you. Learn the difference
between a friend and a user, and between love and infatuation--which can
apply both to relationships and other interests like music--and you'll
do alright.
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We hope this addresses the most common issues
surrounding the social impact of ICP's music on their fans. Please note,
these words are written by Nathan Extra, (P.R., Psychopathic Records)
and approved by then CEO Alex Abbiss. They are not ICP's words, and should
not be quoted as such. These are sentiments shared by all at
Psychopathic, and are written by long-time Juggalos, but any quotations
should be credited simply to Psychopathic P.R., and any questions
regarding this interview should be referred to the label and not the
artists.