Insane Clown Posse!

Are You Garbage? Comedy Podcast

Episode: Insane Clown Posse!
Released: December 4, 2025
Hosts: Kevin Ryan & H. Foley
Guests: Violent J & Shaggy 2 Dope (Insane Clown Posse)

Episode Overview

This episode of "Are You Garbage?" dives into the lives of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope from Insane Clown Posse (ICP). The hosts, Kevin Ryan and H. Foley, put the iconic duo through their signature comedic "garbage" test—exploring childhood struggles, wild teenage hustles, the Juggalos' subculture, run-ins with the FBI, and the grit it took to build ICP into a legendary musical and cultural phenomenon. The tone is raw, hilarious, and sometimes poignant as the group discusses poverty, hustling, success, and everything in between, peppered with Detroit nostalgia, wild anecdotes, and some real talk about happiness, family, and sticking it out.

Main Topics & Key Insights

The FBI "Gang" Saga (00:59–05:07)

ICP's Juggalos were officially labeled by the FBI as a "gang" in 2011, putting them on par with the Crips, Bloods, and MS-13.
- Violent J:
  "Juggalos started getting... sentenced as a gang member... fighting for custody... trying to get into the military... they're tatted up, gang member." (02:29)
Real-life consequences: fans lost jobs, military opportunities, and had legal troubles. Police in small towns abused the designation for federal funding.
ICP sued the FBI four times—it was thrown out each time.
- Shaggy:
  "They never apologized, they never took us off. They just said, that list doesn’t exist no more.” (03:15)
2017’s March on Washington brought huge attention, the stigma relaxed, and retailers returned.

Childhood & Upbringing in Detroit (05:08–08:44)

Both describe extreme childhood poverty: food stamps, powdered milk, block cheese, family instability, addiction, and abuse.
- Violent J:
  "Extreme poverty... three dads, drug addict, alcoholic family members... molestation. My real father left when I was two... child abuse. All that good old hardy hometown American shit." (06:04)
Both started working as caddies at ages 10–11. Violent J worked over 50 jobs before rapping, including at Frank’s Nursery (where he hustled Christmas trees).
Early hustling included stealing and workplace scams.

School Days & Hustling (13:02–15:59)

Shaggy has a high school diploma—sort of—got it through an alternative school after dropping out; J failed multiple grades and eventually just got passed forward.
- Shaggy:
  "I failed second grade... By the time I was in seventh grade, I failed it, but I was too old to hold back.” (13:11)
Both detail schemes: stealing goods for friends, selling beer/cigarettes, car radios, and more.

Rise of ICP & Financial Stories (22:25–25:28)

"No big check" moment: advances were always put back in the band/company.
When their original manager left (amid threats), he gave them each a $1 million check, which was their first “big money” moment.
- Violent J:
  "He gave us each a check for a million dollars. Never seen him again… Probably left with about 15." (23:25)
Both admit to being bad with money; biggest wasted purchases are on drugs, especially painkillers. Recent finances are managed by professionals or their spouses.

ICP’s Longevity & Changing Success (29:05–32:20)

The band never had mainstream hit singles, but now enjoys greater touring and viral success than in their heyday.
- Violent J:
  "Now we actually do have hits in a different format. It's because of TikTok or social media hits." (30:31)
They credit their enduring drive to never allowing doubt or entertaining the idea of quitting.
- Shaggy:
  "People that quit… that’s who doesn’t make it." (31:52)

Family, Kids, & Spoiling the Next Generation (40:35–42:15)

Both admit to spoiling their kids, but are mindful about instilling values.
- Shaggy:
  "I always catch myself being with my kids, man, if you had it like I had… but I don’t want them to have it like that. For what?" (40:47)

ICP at Home—Houses, Cars, Day-to-Day (35:56–38:02)

Shaggy lost his license (“I got a guy picks me up and drives me everywhere,” 37:10); J downsized from a Tesla to a Suburban due to safety.
J lets his kids help pick family cars (looking at G Wagons, etc.).
Both live in nice but not mansion-level houses; J boasts a “Bigfoot statue” and chicken coop, Shaggy has a pool and lives on a lake.

Rock Star Life? More Like Homebodies (43:55–46:11)

Both prefer staying home; travel for work only. J is particularly content being a homebody.
- Violent J:
  "All I want to do is lay on my couch, watch [TV]... I'm happiest at home, you know?" (35:08)

On the Road: Touring, Riders, and Buses (45:04–46:54)

Each has their own tour bus. J stocks his with Red Bull, Shaggy with gallons of water.
- Shaggy:
  "That's all I drink is water. I don’t drink nothing else." (45:24)

Food, Drinks & Trashy Habits (49:36–53:00)

Shaggy loves Wendy's breakfast and grilling. He has a Bar S hot dog tattoo and likes his meats “burnt a little bit.”
Nail care: Shaggy lets them “grow until they break” and files down snags; both mock the idea of manicures and pedicures as “too classy.”
Fireworks: Annual $5k–$10k July 4th shows. Roman candle fights in the woods every year.
- J:
  "I was in the actual explosion... I don’t know how my skin didn’t shred..." (52:41)
Both prefer scummy strip clubs to “gentlemen’s clubs.” Shaggy’s first club required a fake mustache made from wig hair glued on with latex. (55:54)

Star Wars & Nerd Talk (54:01–55:26)

Shaggy is a huge Star Wars fan, discussing collectibles, cartoons, The Mandalorian, and more.
- Shaggy:
  “Trying to collect this—you go broke and you’ll never have enough room.” (54:12)

Final Reflections: Success, Happiness, and the "Garbage" Verdict (59:00–62:50)

Both advocate for setting goals and not settling—happiness > money, but working hard is non-negotiable.
- Violent J:
  "If you're not happy doing what you do for a living… then you're not happy, because that's all we do is work..." (33:47)
Wedding gifts: If it’s someone they care about, the envelope may hit 2–3 grand, “depending on what I’m sitting on.” (60:38)
In the end, Foley and Ryan declare the ICP guys “unbelievably solid”—rough-edged, honest, and totally "garbage" by the show’s reckoning, and everybody loves it.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On poverty and hustle:
"I worked over 50 jobs before I started rapping for a living." —Violent J (08:44)
On lawsuits:
"You guys are the first guys to ever sue the FBI. And I fucking respect.” —Kevin (03:11)
On money:
“If I'm trying to save money... it's gone.” —Violent J (25:28)
On Star Wars collecting:
"Trying to collect this—you go broke and you'll never have enough room for this.” —Shaggy (54:12)
On career durability:
“People that quit… that’s who doesn’t make it.” —Shaggy (31:52)
“Don’t end up where the wind blows you, man. It doesn't have to be no big shiny, fancy... can be whatever you love.” —Violent J (33:33)
On fireworks:
"We buy like five to ten thousand dollars worth of fireworks... My boy hooks it up, so it's all done on the phone. Piles of Roman candles—biggest Roman candle fight ever." —Shaggy (52:17)
On being garbage:
"Anything that is in sausage form, that’s what I fuck with... That’s my favorite... And I liked it burnt a little bit." —Shaggy (51:24)
"You guys are true dirt bags, and I love it." —Kevin (51:22)
"I have no clue how to hold on to money." —Shaggy (24:43)
On their audience:
"Now we actually do have hits in a different format. It's because of TikTok or social media hits... We hear a scream from the crowd... we look at each other like, what the...?" —Violent J (30:31)

Important Timestamps

00:59–05:07 — The FBI "Gang" Classification & Its Fallout
06:04–08:44 — Childhood Poverty & Early Hustles
13:02–15:59 — School, Scheming, and Street Wisdom
22:25–25:28 — First Million, Money Management, and Regrets
29:05–32:20 — Careers, Viral Success, and Making It
35:56–38:02 — Houses, Cars, and Family Life Today
43:55–46:54 — Touring, Rider Requests, and Life on the Bus
49:36–53:00 — Food, Grilling, Fireworks, and Classic Dirtbag Traditions
54:01–55:26 — Star Wars Nerd-Out
55:54–57:08 — First Strip Club Stories
60:38–62:50 — Wedding Gifts, Being "Garbage"—The Verdict

Podcast Tone & Language

The episode is candid, hilarious, self-deprecating, and steeped in Detroit/Midwestern working-class grit. Jay and Shaggy joke openly about their scrappy past, laugh about scams and "garbage" habits, but also get deep about what real happiness and success mean. Hosts Ryan and Foley match them beat for beat, creating an atmosphere where no detail is too trashy and no wound is too old to get a laugh.

Bottom Line

If you listened to this episode, you learned:

ICP were blue-collar underdogs who out-hustled the odds.
The Juggalos' community is a one-in-a-million American subculture.
Trashy upbringings make for the best—and funniest—stories.
ICP are funny, self-aware, deeply loyal to their people, and totally, unapologetically "garbage."

New Album: The Knot is out now.
Tour Info: Insane Clown Posse & Are You Garbage dates at their respective websites.

Are You Garbage? Comedy Podcast

Episode: Insane Clown Posse!
Released: December 4, 2025
Hosts: Kevin Ryan & H. Foley
Guests: Violent J & Shaggy 2 Dope (Insane Clown Posse)

Episode Overview

Main Topics & Key Insights

The FBI "Gang" Saga (00:59–05:07)

ICP's Juggalos were officially labeled by the FBI as a "gang" in 2011, putting them on par with the Crips, Bloods, and MS-13.
- Violent J:
  "Juggalos started getting... sentenced as a gang member... fighting for custody... trying to get into the military... they're tatted up, gang member." (02:29)
Real-life consequences: fans lost jobs, military opportunities, and had legal troubles. Police in small towns abused the designation for federal funding.
ICP sued the FBI four times—it was thrown out each time.
- Shaggy:
  "They never apologized, they never took us off. They just said, that list doesn’t exist no more.” (03:15)
2017’s March on Washington brought huge attention, the stigma relaxed, and retailers returned.

Childhood & Upbringing in Detroit (05:08–08:44)

Both describe extreme childhood poverty: food stamps, powdered milk, block cheese, family instability, addiction, and abuse.
- Violent J:
  "Extreme poverty... three dads, drug addict, alcoholic family members... molestation. My real father left when I was two... child abuse. All that good old hardy hometown American shit." (06:04)
Both started working as caddies at ages 10–11. Violent J worked over 50 jobs before rapping, including at Frank’s Nursery (where he hustled Christmas trees).
Early hustling included stealing and workplace scams.

School Days & Hustling (13:02–15:59)

Shaggy has a high school diploma—sort of—got it through an alternative school after dropping out; J failed multiple grades and eventually just got passed forward.
- Shaggy:
  "I failed second grade... By the time I was in seventh grade, I failed it, but I was too old to hold back.” (13:11)
Both detail schemes: stealing goods for friends, selling beer/cigarettes, car radios, and more.

Rise of ICP & Financial Stories (22:25–25:28)

"No big check" moment: advances were always put back in the band/company.
When their original manager left (amid threats), he gave them each a $1 million check, which was their first “big money” moment.
- Violent J:
  "He gave us each a check for a million dollars. Never seen him again… Probably left with about 15." (23:25)
Both admit to being bad with money; biggest wasted purchases are on drugs, especially painkillers. Recent finances are managed by professionals or their spouses.

ICP’s Longevity & Changing Success (29:05–32:20)

The band never had mainstream hit singles, but now enjoys greater touring and viral success than in their heyday.
- Violent J:
  "Now we actually do have hits in a different format. It's because of TikTok or social media hits." (30:31)
They credit their enduring drive to never allowing doubt or entertaining the idea of quitting.
- Shaggy:
  "People that quit… that’s who doesn’t make it." (31:52)

Family, Kids, & Spoiling the Next Generation (40:35–42:15)

Both admit to spoiling their kids, but are mindful about instilling values.
- Shaggy:
  "I always catch myself being with my kids, man, if you had it like I had… but I don’t want them to have it like that. For what?" (40:47)

ICP at Home—Houses, Cars, Day-to-Day (35:56–38:02)

Shaggy lost his license (“I got a guy picks me up and drives me everywhere,” 37:10); J downsized from a Tesla to a Suburban due to safety.
J lets his kids help pick family cars (looking at G Wagons, etc.).
Both live in nice but not mansion-level houses; J boasts a “Bigfoot statue” and chicken coop, Shaggy has a pool and lives on a lake.

Rock Star Life? More Like Homebodies (43:55–46:11)

Both prefer staying home; travel for work only. J is particularly content being a homebody.
- Violent J:
  "All I want to do is lay on my couch, watch [TV]... I'm happiest at home, you know?" (35:08)

On the Road: Touring, Riders, and Buses (45:04–46:54)

Each has their own tour bus. J stocks his with Red Bull, Shaggy with gallons of water.
- Shaggy:
  "That's all I drink is water. I don’t drink nothing else." (45:24)

Food, Drinks & Trashy Habits (49:36–53:00)

Shaggy loves Wendy's breakfast and grilling. He has a Bar S hot dog tattoo and likes his meats “burnt a little bit.”
Nail care: Shaggy lets them “grow until they break” and files down snags; both mock the idea of manicures and pedicures as “too classy.”
Fireworks: Annual $5k–$10k July 4th shows. Roman candle fights in the woods every year.
- J:
  "I was in the actual explosion... I don’t know how my skin didn’t shred..." (52:41)
Both prefer scummy strip clubs to “gentlemen’s clubs.” Shaggy’s first club required a fake mustache made from wig hair glued on with latex. (55:54)

Star Wars & Nerd Talk (54:01–55:26)

Shaggy is a huge Star Wars fan, discussing collectibles, cartoons, The Mandalorian, and more.
- Shaggy:
  “Trying to collect this—you go broke and you’ll never have enough room.” (54:12)

Final Reflections: Success, Happiness, and the "Garbage" Verdict (59:00–62:50)

Both advocate for setting goals and not settling—happiness > money, but working hard is non-negotiable.
- Violent J:
  "If you're not happy doing what you do for a living… then you're not happy, because that's all we do is work..." (33:47)
Wedding gifts: If it’s someone they care about, the envelope may hit 2–3 grand, “depending on what I’m sitting on.” (60:38)
In the end, Foley and Ryan declare the ICP guys “unbelievably solid”—rough-edged, honest, and totally "garbage" by the show’s reckoning, and everybody loves it.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On poverty and hustle:
"I worked over 50 jobs before I started rapping for a living." —Violent J (08:44)
On lawsuits:
"You guys are the first guys to ever sue the FBI. And I fucking respect.” —Kevin (03:11)
On money:
“If I'm trying to save money... it's gone.” —Violent J (25:28)
On Star Wars collecting:
"Trying to collect this—you go broke and you'll never have enough room for this.” —Shaggy (54:12)
On career durability:
“People that quit… that’s who doesn’t make it.” —Shaggy (31:52)
“Don’t end up where the wind blows you, man. It doesn't have to be no big shiny, fancy... can be whatever you love.” —Violent J (33:33)
On fireworks:
"We buy like five to ten thousand dollars worth of fireworks... My boy hooks it up, so it's all done on the phone. Piles of Roman candles—biggest Roman candle fight ever." —Shaggy (52:17)
On being garbage:
"Anything that is in sausage form, that’s what I fuck with... That’s my favorite... And I liked it burnt a little bit." —Shaggy (51:24)
"You guys are true dirt bags, and I love it." —Kevin (51:22)
"I have no clue how to hold on to money." —Shaggy (24:43)
On their audience:
"Now we actually do have hits in a different format. It's because of TikTok or social media hits... We hear a scream from the crowd... we look at each other like, what the...?" —Violent J (30:31)

Important Timestamps

00:59–05:07 — The FBI "Gang" Classification & Its Fallout
06:04–08:44 — Childhood Poverty & Early Hustles
13:02–15:59 — School, Scheming, and Street Wisdom
22:25–25:28 — First Million, Money Management, and Regrets
29:05–32:20 — Careers, Viral Success, and Making It
35:56–38:02 — Houses, Cars, and Family Life Today
43:55–46:54 — Touring, Rider Requests, and Life on the Bus
49:36–53:00 — Food, Grilling, Fireworks, and Classic Dirtbag Traditions
54:01–55:26 — Star Wars Nerd-Out
55:54–57:08 — First Strip Club Stories
60:38–62:50 — Wedding Gifts, Being "Garbage"—The Verdict

Podcast Tone & Language

Bottom Line

If you listened to this episode, you learned:

ICP were blue-collar underdogs who out-hustled the odds.
The Juggalos' community is a one-in-a-million American subculture.
Trashy upbringings make for the best—and funniest—stories.
ICP are funny, self-aware, deeply loyal to their people, and totally, unapologetically "garbage."

New Album: The Knot is out now.
Tour Info: Insane Clown Posse & Are You Garbage dates at their respective websites.

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Summary

Are You Garbage? Comedy Podcast

Episode Overview

Main Topics & Key Insights

The FBI "Gang" Saga (00:59–05:07)

Childhood & Upbringing in Detroit (05:08–08:44)

School Days & Hustling (13:02–15:59)

Rise of ICP & Financial Stories (22:25–25:28)

ICP’s Longevity & Changing Success (29:05–32:20)

Family, Kids, & Spoiling the Next Generation (40:35–42:15)

ICP at Home—Houses, Cars, Day-to-Day (35:56–38:02)

Rock Star Life? More Like Homebodies (43:55–46:11)

On the Road: Touring, Riders, and Buses (45:04–46:54)

Food, Drinks & Trashy Habits (49:36–53:00)

Star Wars & Nerd Talk (54:01–55:26)

Final Reflections: Success, Happiness, and the "Garbage" Verdict (59:00–62:50)

Notable Quotes & Moments

Important Timestamps

Podcast Tone & Language

Bottom Line

Summary

Are You Garbage? Comedy Podcast

Episode Overview

Main Topics & Key Insights

The FBI "Gang" Saga (00:59–05:07)

Childhood & Upbringing in Detroit (05:08–08:44)

School Days & Hustling (13:02–15:59)

Rise of ICP & Financial Stories (22:25–25:28)

ICP’s Longevity & Changing Success (29:05–32:20)

Family, Kids, & Spoiling the Next Generation (40:35–42:15)

ICP at Home—Houses, Cars, Day-to-Day (35:56–38:02)

Rock Star Life? More Like Homebodies (43:55–46:11)

On the Road: Touring, Riders, and Buses (45:04–46:54)

Food, Drinks & Trashy Habits (49:36–53:00)

Star Wars & Nerd Talk (54:01–55:26)

Final Reflections: Success, Happiness, and the "Garbage" Verdict (59:00–62:50)

Notable Quotes & Moments

Important Timestamps

Podcast Tone & Language

Bottom Line