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Music may ignite mayhem

Cops see crimes tied to Detroit rap group

Felix Doligosa Jr., Rocky Mountain News

Published March 9, 2007 at midnight

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Brodie Clayton of Lochbuie has tattoos of the letters ICP on his left hand and a picture of a hatchet on the other hand, according to court records.

Tess Damm of Lafayette calls herself a "Juggalette" who designed her MySpace .com page with several pictures of two rappers dressed in clown makeup.

Her boyfriend, Bryan Grove, constantly played tunes from a Detroit-based rap group, according to a friend.

All three are young fans of the rap music group Insane Clown Posse, but they have another thing in common:

They've all been implicated in murder.

As police investigate recent violence committed by teenagers, some officials are seeing crimes, and even gangs, linked with fans of Insane Clown Posse.

"We know Insane Clown Posse gangs exist," said officer Greg Ruprecht who works for the Longmont Police Department's gang unit.

The two-person group, also known as ICP, is known for its violent lyrics and descriptions of murder. Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope formed the group in the early 1990s and perform in black and white clown makeup.

Messages left with the group and its manager were not returned.

Some ICP songs include killing a pig and stabbing people. In the song, I Stab People, the duo raps, "I order food just to stab the guy when he gets there. I don't care, I stab anybody anywhere."

Violent music can have an effect on young people and their actions, said Kathleen Heide, a criminology professor at the University of South Florida and author of Why Kids Kill Parents.

"Music is one of many ingredients that can cause a child to commit murder," she said. "Violent music itself is not enough to cause someone to go over the edge. But if one is angry, alienated or abused, music with violent themes can ignite violence."

In 2004, Colorado Springs School District 11 banned students from wearing ICP apparel after several acts of violence were committed by fans of the group.

There are many people who dress up as clowns who are good people, but fans of ICP "tended to act more violent," said Elaine Naleski, spokeswoman for the school district.

Ruprecht said gangs based on ICP sometimes wear clown makeup. He said he has not seen ICP gangs in Longmont for three years, but said there is a problem with them in northern Colorado.

"I sometimes wish I could understand what these kids go through when they're exposed to this music," Ruprecht said.

Nationwide, ICP fans committing acts of violence also have garnered media attention. Fans are called Juggalos and females go by Juggalettes.

Valessa Robinson was 15 when she held her mother down as Valessa's boyfriend stabbed and killed her. The Tampa, Fla., teen was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2000. Robinson listened to ICP, and after stealing money from her dead mother, bought more of the group's CDs.

Last year, an 18-year-old ICP fan killed his girlfriend and a police officer in Arkansas. Jacob Robida earlier had shot at patrons in a Massachusetts gay bar. Robida, who was later gunned down, wrote about his fascination with ICP and neo-Nazism.

In Colorado, Brodie Clayton is facing a second-degree murder charge for the stabbing death of 17-year- old Kyle McCune on Feb. 25. Clayton, 18, is also accused of assaulting two girls and cutting one of them on the neck with a butcher knife.

"I hit an artery, you are going to bleed to death," Clayton told the victim, according to an arrest affidavit. "The job is not done. I am the Grim Reaper and I am doing my work."

Clayton describes himself as "the psycho pathic killa with an axe" on his MySpace .com page. The logo of Juggalo fans is a picture of a person running with an axe.

Tess Damm, 15, faces a charge of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder in the death of her mother, Linda Damm, 52. Her boyfriend, Bryan Grove, 17, was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal stabbing in February.

In her blog, Tess wrote that she started hanging out with Juggalos in the past year.

Lyrics to Insane Clown Posse songs

• I STAB PEOPLE

I stab old people, old ladies, little kids, I don't give a f---I stabbed a fat guy in the butt, what?

I met Pete Rose, stabbed him twice in his nipple.

I'm Violent J, I stab people

Maybe somebody can help me.

• ANOTHER LOVE SONG

I'm the one that killed your precious cat and stuffed him in your f------ mailbox

If I only hadn't cut off my hair, I'd choke you with all my dreadlocks

When I scream at the moon every night

You should've known something just ain't right

Cuz' I'm gonna slap you

And then I'm going to kill you

Cuz' the moon told me to, and it's watching us right now

• MY AXE

My axe is my buddy, I bring him when I walk

Me and my axe will leave your head outlined in chalk

My axe is my buddy, he always makes me laugh

Me and my axe cut bigot spinal cords in half

My axe is my buddy and when I wind him back

Me and my axe will give your forehead a buttcrack

My axe is my buddy, I never leave without him

Me and my axe will leave your neck a bloody fountain

or 303-954-2970

Comments

  • February 24, 2008

    12:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Hatchetgyrl writes:

    Hi, I am from Longmont Colorado. I know that not all juggalos and juggalettes are bad just because they listen to ICP. I, myself listen to ICP. I think it just really depends on that person how far they want to take the music in their life. I really love the music but that doesn't mean that I'm going to kill, stab or choke somebody if I'm mad or not. I am an educated and a "GOOD" juggalette. We all know what's wrong and right but I guess that some people just can't decided for themselves or to walk away. But behalf of all my juggalos and juggalette out there. Some of us are not bad because we listen to them. We know we have responsiblities just like you guyz and a heart. And for those who can't decide for yourself. I'm sorry! Much Clown Luv! :O)

  • March 19, 2008

    8:34 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Tekwar writes:

    Whoever wrote this unfortunately has little to no acknowledge of the band "Insane Clown Posse". ICP has been against such violence and killings since their first album. The albums talk of stopping the pointless killing, stopping the horror in the ghetto. In truth the band IS religious, though not to any specific religion (The closest religions to theirs is Christianity or Islam.) For anyone wishing to hear an easily explained version of what their music is about, listen to "Thy Unveiling" which was featured on the sixth jokers card "The Wraith: Shangrala". Anyone who commits crimes like these, are not true juggalos (Followers of the dark carnival), these are people who want a mask to hide their crimes behind so it appears they are not the real criminals. Another song is off the "Bizzar" album called "Lets go all the way". You can go to www.Hallsofillusions.com (warning, contains strong language and drug references). to view the lyrics of their songs. Most of these songs DO contain hidden messages behind them which tell the truth of their music, their condemning of evil such as abuse and rape. Im sorry to sound rude in saying that the author of this has no idea about ICP, but he/she truly does not. Its like the common argument about sex or violence in video games, often not researched enough before commented about. I'm Down with the clown till im dead in the ground. To all the Juggalos and Juggalettes, MMFWCL!

  • March 28, 2008

    1:16 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    silvrwingdjuggalette writes:

    I have been a juggalette for years, even before i knew what the fans were called. The only people who follow what music says are stupid people. music does not influence the way people act. it is merely a way to express yourself. yes, when i am angry or depressed i listen to icp, twiztid, blaze, and the other members of the psychopathic family, but it doesn't give me the idea to run out and hurt people. the lyrics they sing express exactly how i'm feeling, and make my day better.

    We will never die alone,
    Juggalos will carry on,
    Swing our hatchets if we must,
    Each and every one of us!!

    MMFWCL to my homies all over!! Whoop whoop!!

  • May 25, 2008

    12:26 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    bizzarr17 writes:

    i am sorry for the victims in all those cases. I am a law abbiding citizen, and a prison corrections officer. I have also been a juggalo for over 14 years. I can tell you this anyone who uses this music as an excuse to do things like that are lone psychotic idiots, and should not be mistaken for the public images of juggalos. as For the law enforcement agency's out there if there is any "gangs" that are considered icp gangs they are not in anyway endorsed by the group, and in most cases are just stupid kids that were never taught right from wrong. in these instances every one looks for someone to blame. "lets blame music before we get blamed" thats a cop-out. its time to own up to our own actions
    if there is anyone to blame its the people that commit the crimes and the parents that "raised" them. oh and by the way if you are going to make acussations about a band and their messages at least get the facts straight. if you listen to just one full icp album, really listen, you will know that they stand for being an individul in a world that is just one big crowd. and doing what is right. their ultimate message is lead a good life or bad things can happen to you either in this life or the next---mcl

  • June 13, 2008

    3:09 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    chelseamadrox writes:

    I am an ICP fan. I am also an honor student with several scholarships under my belt as only a sophomore. Which should prove that not all people who call them selves "juggalos" or "juggalettes" are violent. These individuals were going to commit such acts of violence either way. What they listened to has nothing to do with their actions. I don't know about you, but I would much rather say I'm going to do something than actually DO that. Insane Clown Posse are about having a good time and humor. It's a pity that you are going to take them literally. The fans that use them as an excuse for murder and vandalism are not really fans in the first place. It doesn't matter what's on the outside, whether it's scars, clown paint, or whatever..what matters is one's hearts. And all the juggalos i know have HEART.

    Much Clown Love.

  • August 7, 2008

    2:50 a.m.

    violentshorty writes:

    (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

  • January 27, 2009

    12:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    emileed writes:

    You are sick people. How can you say that music does not influence one's own actions? First of all, there is no way music like that can make you feel better when you're having a bad day. It sounds like it would only emphasize everything you went through on that troublesome day. Maybe you "fans" should read over your comments. To everyone else you sound like possessed evil freaks. To be quite blunt. I also am an honor student with several scholarships and that has nothing to do with proving anything.So I'm sorry, you can't use that as an excuse for the horrible lyrics you expose yourself to. Do some research and you will find that studies have shown the music you listen to affects your thoughts--leading to topics of conversations, and eventually actions. Just look at your usernames. HATCHETgirl? Need I say more? P.s. to chelsea madrox: it is the inside that affects the outside. You don't know what you're talking about.