How to wean a relative off of Juggalo?

December 16, 2003 1:26 PM

My partner's brother is a Juggalo -- he won't listen to much other than ICP. Any suggestions on music to break him of this terrible habit?

I'm guessing nu-metal/raprock would be his speed, but some hardcore might do the trick, too. But what's good, or at least worthwhile, in those genres?

posted by me3dia to Media & Arts (16 answers total)

I have two thoughts on this. The first one is: Boy, this is awfully elitist of you. So what if he only listens to ICP? Can you honestly say that this harms you or anyone else (including him) in any way? Let him be, he'll grow out of it eventually. Trying to actively change someone else's musical tastes because you find them less than acceptable is annoying, and smacks of hubris.

My other thought is: American hardcore. Hatebreed, Atreyu, American Headcharge, and even good old fashioned Slayer beat ICP hands down any day.
posted by starvingartist at 1:33 PM on December 16, 2003

Don't try and force anything on him - that will just have the opposite effect. If it's possible, just play good music in his vicinity. He won't openly admit to liking it but some of it may seep into his consciousness.
posted by skylar at 1:36 PM on December 16, 2003

I think it was a friend playing Operation Ivy for me that introduced the concept of "stuff that is really fucking good that never plays on the radio" and I never looked back. Introduce him to some small band that kicks ass and if he's interested he'll seek out more, broaden his tastes, and learn that the best music is often found by searching beyond the mainstream.
posted by mathowie at 1:36 PM on December 16, 2003

Response by poster: Starvingartist, I was exaggerating about him only listening to ICP, but whenever I've asked him what music he'd like as a gift, that's what he tells me. (His record collection was stolen a year ago, and he's repurchased ICP's major releases, so I'm left without a clue.)
posted by me3dia at 1:38 PM on December 16, 2003

My bad. As you can see, both skylar and I read it as a desire on your part to change this poor misdirected youth's staggeringly poor musical tastes :-) Knee jerk reaction.

I can't recommend American Head Charge enough, however. Like a cross between Ministry and Faith No More.
posted by starvingartist at 1:44 PM on December 16, 2003

Response by poster: Wow, I might be interested in that for me!

Well, I am trying to influence his taste a little bit -- but not with an exclusionary intent. The boy needs to open up a bit and see that there are a lot of other options out there. He can listen to ICP all he wants, but it would be nice if he'd check out some of their influences, related genres, etc.

Thanks for the suggestions.
posted by me3dia at 1:59 PM on December 16, 2003

Pick up Ministry's Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and the Way to Suck Eggs

Really. It will kick your ass. And his. And all his friends'.
posted by rocketman at 2:48 PM on December 16, 2003

How old is this guy? It just seems that most people I know who listen to shit stuff like ICP almost exclusively are sexually-frustrated 15 year olds who grow out of it in time.

Give the guy some time, he'll (hopefully) eventually start exploring other genres. But, if he doesn't, don't sweat it... one less person to experience the beauty that is music.
posted by cheaily at 5:31 PM on December 16, 2003

They're more on the metal end of things, but I highly recommend Mudvayne, Candiria, Disturbed, or Soilwork. Not really any rap in those, but they're worth checking out. Also worth a peak: Deadsy, Kidneythieves, Orgy, Crossbreed.
posted by GeekAnimator at 5:41 PM on December 16, 2003

Kiss. Show him that people have had makeup, stage theatrics, and testosterone issues for years. Maybe then he'll have some sort of epiphany. Or not.
posted by mikeh at 6:07 PM on December 16, 2003

Boy, this is awfully elitist of you. [...] Let him be, he'll grow out of it eventually.

Boy, that's awfully elitist of you!

Re: ICP. You could try cluing your bro' in, ie.) that it's a tacky, cheezy act that's meant to sucker gullible teens into spending their hard-earned dollars on pre-packaged, corporatized "rebellion" of the lowest order. If he doesn't want to be one of the sheep, he needs to expand his listening habits.
posted by five fresh fish at 6:20 PM on December 16, 2003

You could try cluing your bro' in, ie.) that it's a tacky, cheezy act that's meant to sucker gullible teens into spending their hard-earned dollars on pre-packaged, corporatized "rebellion" of the lowest order. If he doesn't want to be one of the sheep, he needs to expand his listening habits.

Hear, hear!
posted by oissubke at 7:45 PM on December 16, 2003

Response by poster: He's 23. I've tried the whole "you're a sucker for believing them" line of argument, and it hasn't convinced him. So I'm trying a more constructive tact.

Thanks for your suggestions. Anybody have recommendations more on the rap end of the spectrum?
posted by me3dia at 9:16 PM on December 16, 2003

He's a 23-year-old juggalo? Ooooh. That's just not good. That... that changes things.

Does he like Eminem at least? There's a number of angles you can take from there I think. Hell, you could get him the DVD for 8 Mile and get him into battle raps. I would guess that a lot of the bling bling you find in mainstream rap and the declarations of piety that get thrown around in underground hip-hop would be turnoffs to him but I have no way of knowing for sure.
posted by furiousthought at 10:12 PM on December 16, 2003

Mr. T Experience.
Mighty Mighty Bosstones (especially the earlier stuff.)
Murphy's Law
posted by Vidiot at 10:37 PM on December 16, 2003

ICP at age 23? That's just plain scary.

Maybe you need to get him out of the house, take him to some clubs, get him to meet some girls (or guys). He's stuck in a rut.
posted by five fresh fish at 11:20 PM on December 16, 2003