September 26, 2012 17:05

Insane Clown Posse sue FBI for classifying Juggalos as a criminal gang

Rap duo say allegations are 'straight up bullshit'

Photo: PA

Insane Clown Posse have launched legal action against the FBI for labelling their fans, known as the 'Juggalos', as a criminal gang.

The hip-hop duo coined the term for their fans in the mid '90s, with the name stemming from their track 'The Juggla'. Those in the movement became known for wearing face paint, consuming the American soft drink Faygo and their support for artists on Insane Clown Posse's record label Psychopathic Records. They also meet each year for their 'Gathering Of The Juggalos' celebration.

In November last year, however, the FBI's National Gang Threat Assessment report classified Juggalos as a a "concern to law enforcement" after becoming alarmed by their "general destructive and violent nature".

It was reported in August that Shaggy 2 Dope and Violent J were planning on taking action over the report, and they have now confirmed on their website that their legal team have filed papers against the FBI at the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

"Listen up, Homies!," they said in a rallying call to their fans. "This is the biggest thing to rock the Juggalo and Juggalette universe and we've got all the details for you right here! In case you haven't heard, then get ready! The Insane Clown Posse and Psychopathic Records have kept their word and filed a lawsuit against the FBI on behalf of the Juggalo Family TODAY!"

In the lengthy post, they go on to say: "In case you're out of the loop, Juggalos were listed as a "gang" in the 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment under "non-traditional gangs". The idea of calling the Juggalos and Juggalettes a "gang" is straight up bullshit. We are not a gang! We are a family!

"We come together for our luv of the Insane Clown Posse, Psychopathic Records, and our Juggalo pride. Can we take a fuckin' second to note that Jimmy Buffet's Parrot Heads, Lady Gaga's Little Monsters, Justin Bieber's Beliebers, the Grateful Dead's DeadHeads and many more haven't been labeled as a gang?"

The duo added: "Really, this is the first time in the history of rock-n-roll that any music fans have been labeled as a "gang" and that’s probably because it makes no damn sense! But no matter how fuckin' cracked out it is there have still been a lot of Ninjas who have been gettin' shit for their Insane Clown Posse apparel, Hatchetman tattoos, and for showing support to The Hachet.

"That's what happens when music fans are lumped in with the Aryan Brotherhood, Bloods, Crips, and the Latin Kings. Juggalos are fans of music – not hardened, organized gang members! And that is why the Insane Clown Posse, Psychopathic Records, and their legal team are fighting for YOU!"

Insane Clown Posse found themselves on the receiving end of a lawsuit last year, when the gothic music agency Entity Productions claimed that the shock rappers sampled copyrighted Halloween-themed music on seven tracks without permission from their owners The Midnight Syndicate and demanded $2.1 million in damages as a result.

Last year, year, former White Stripes singer Jack White teamed up with the Insane Clown Posse to produce their single 'Leck Mich Im Arse' and releasing it on his Third Man Records label.

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