Its not an exaggeration to say that after music, fashion is underground hip hops number one concern. Its also not an exaggeration to say that within underground hip hop fashion, hoodies and tattoos play the largest role.
Many point to The Beastie Boys as having started the underground hip hop hoodie trend in the mid 80s. Even as those trendsetting moments grow increasingly distant, the hoodie remains a staple in underground hip hop acts today, ranging from horror rap outfit Insane Clown Posse to mainstream phenomenon Eminem.
Especially in regards to Insane Clown Posse and their ICP hoodies, the garment has become a mainstay in the wardrobe of Juggalos everywhere for many reasons. First, the band comes from Detroit and their fan base is spread primarily across the Midwest. In these places, it gets cold. ICP hoodies are one way to stay warm while remaining loyal to your favorite band. Furthermore, ICP hoodies are gold when it comes to marketing Insane Clown Posses music.
I say this because, unlike other underground hip hop artists who choose to sport generic hoodies out of fear of looking to self plugging or being associated with any brand, ICP hoodies take no shame in marketing ICP albums, tours, or artwork.
There are ICP hoodies covered in hundreds of little hatchetmen symbols, ICP hoodies that just have a Jokers Card symbol and nothing else on the front, and others that say just simply ICP. My personal favorite ICP hoodie is that of the Purple Riddlebox ICP Hoodie, because its one of the most original out there. How many other underground hip hop artists do you know that sell purple hoodies?
And what can you find underneath ICP Hoodies? Insane Clown Posse tattoos.
Insane Clown Posse tattoos are no less pervasive than tattoos related to other underground hip hop artists, and all it takes to witness the best ones is a quick Google search. Insane Clown Posse tattoos featuring the hatchetman in fun colors and Insane Clown Posse tattoos displaying Jokers Card symbols abound, and there are even some more explicitly meaningful Insane Clown Posse tattoos that contain ICP lyrics.
Perhaps the most common Insane Clown Posse tattoos involve Insane Clown Posse tattoos of the hatchetman in fun colors with Juggalo commentary attached. Examples include Insane Clown Posse tattoos with inscriptions like “Juggalo for life”, “Juggalo Family”, or pictures of Faygo pouring out onto the hatchetman.
Unfortunately you cant purchase Insane Clown Posse tattoos on the bands online merchandise store, hatchetgear.com, but you can take a look at the ICP hoodies they have to offer.
If youre a thrifty horror rap enthusiast, youll be saving your hard earned money for this August when The Mighty Death Pop! is released. With it are sure to be a slew of new ICP hoodie designs, and probably some creative Insane Clown Posse tattoo designs from the guys at your local parlor.