What Awaits Juggalos in Shangri-La?

Much has been written on the announcement made at the end of The Wraith by Insane Clown Posse. Turns out, while the majority Juggalos and Juggalettes were glued to the group because of their horror rap themes, the group was secretly Christian! In hindsight, most Juggalos and Juggalettes should have seen it coming. As explained by Violent J in the controversial track, "Thy Unveiling": When we speak of Shangri-La, what you think we mean? Truth is we follow GOD, we’ve always been behind him, the Dark Carnival is GOD and may all Juggalos find him! Before Juggalos and Juggalettes give any ground to Violent J in saying they should have known The Wraith by Insane Clown Posse was secretly religious, let’s take a look at the meaning of the Shangri-La ICP is drawing influence from. The first Shangri-La (ICP certainly is not referring to this) was made up in a famous novel titled Lost Horizon by British author James Hilton. The Shangri-La that ICP and most of the modern world sees is considered to be another term for heaven. Now back to Shangri-La as ICP sees it in The Wraith by Insane Clown Posse. The Wraith by Insane Clown Posse is supposedly an album where the dark wraith (another word for death, or the grim reaper), takes listening Juggalos and Juggalettes on a tour through Shangri-La as ICP sees it, while threatening to pull the tourist down into Hell at any given moment. It would appear as though Shangri-La as ICP sees it is meant to be earned, and that disrespectful or undeserving Juggalos and Juggalettes can be sucked down into hell at any time. (Interestingly enough, the album following The Wraith by Insane Clown Posse was Hell’s Pit, where a tour of hell was given to Juggalos and Juggalettes instead.) Knowing that entry is not permanent makes you appreciate it more. But with that said, many songs’ lyrics on The Wraith by Insane Clown Posse reflect the same horrorcore lyrics the group is known for, not lyrics that exhibit the Shangri-La ICP sees. Lyrics filled with hate, murder, suicide and other violence. It really isn’t until the telling track, "Thy Unveiling" comes around at the end to wrap things up that The Wraith by Insane Clown Posse sends any sort of unique message not found by Juggalos and Juggalettes on other albums. So, in "Thy Unveiling," just how does Shangri-La as ICP see it stack up to how you see it? There are carnival games and painted faces in the crowd, and lots of hatchets. Sounds about right for Shangri-La, the ICP interpretation. Most Juggalos, however, would probably add a few things in (assuming the Wraith stayed out of it!): Juggalettes, Faygo, Joker’s Cards, The Gathering, etc. And Juggalettes? Well they’d probably see many of the exact same things, including more Juggalettes. However, with The Wraith as Insane Clown Posse sees it so punishing, there’s a chance many of these requests would be denied! Resource Box The Shangri-La ICP defined in their 2002 effort, The Wraith by Insane Clown Posse, sparked much controversy at the time because Juggalettes and Juggalos believed it to be an endorsement of heaven and God. The latter it was. To learn more about The Wraith by Insane Clown Posse, please visit http://www.hatchetgear.com/bands/icp.html.