Uncommon Ground is a deep dive into society's fringe groups, both well-known and unknown.
The first time Brett learned about Juggalos, he was immediately hooked.
"The second I saw them — the second I was with them — I immediately fell in love."
That was 15 years ago. Now Brett, who also goes by B. Riddle, is part of a tight-knit group of fans who bond over their love of one band, Insane Clown Posse.
In this week's episode of Uncommon Ground, we spoke with Juggalos about how their musical obsession turned into a large, often-misunderstood community — and why their group is more a family than a fanbase.
Insane Clown Posse (ICP), a rap duo founded in Detroit, has been around since 1989. The duo has multiple platinum records and a widely attended annual music festival, but perhaps most famously, they have their fans.
Juggalos get their name from a 1992 ICP song called "The Juggla." True to the clown-centric name they call themselves, members of the community often paint their faces white, or even dye their hair green, red or other bright colors. That being said, there's a lot more to understand about Juggalos than how they look on the outside.
The Juggalo community is like nothing you've ever seen before," Monoxide, who performs in the rap duo Twiztid, told In The Know. "It is the biggest misconception in American of what exactly it is to be a Juggalo."
Despite those misconceptions, some Juggalos have been able to form entire careers out of their identities. Twiztid — comprised of Monoxide and his bandmate Jamie Madrox — has released numerous albums on Psychopathic Records, which was founded by Insane Clown Posse in 1991. Now, the duo performs at their own pack-out shows to crowds of passionate fans.
That doesn't mean it's always easy being a Juggalo though.
"We get outcast because of who the media portrays us to be," Brett told In The Know. "But we're just out here having a good time and loving one another as family."
It's a sense of belonging that many Juggalos say has changed their lives. Although they often come from different backgrounds, members of the community have a reason to come together.
"You ask me what a Juggalo is and I'm gonna tell you I don't know because Juggalos are every shade and color of the human race," Kevin, who is also a Juggalo told In The Know. "There is no discrimination in sex, religion — we're all accepted."
It's not just about acceptance, though. While Juggalos can be found attending ICP concerts, barbecuing or attending the Gathering of the Juggalos festival, they also work hard to support one another.
"I was one of those outcasts as a kid — I really had no friends," Kevin told In The Know. "There are people were there for me when I didn't have anybody."
And above all, the community is about having a good time. According to Kevin, the group's care-free, accepting attitude is like the "hippie movement of the new generation." For him, there's only one rule to being a Juggalo.
"Can you be yourself and enjoy life? Then come join the carnival," he told In The Know.
