By Benjamin Leatherman

Juggalos (a.k.a. the rabid fans of demented horror-core rap duo Insane Clown Posse) tend to scare the shit out of most people. Maybe it’s because they’re connected with violent hooliganism, wear clown makeup out in public, or are just all-around freakazoids. (There’s also the fact their cars usually sport a sticker of a hatchet-wielding killer on their cars, which is the logo for ICP’s label, Psychopathic Records).

Personally, I dig Juggalos and think they’re funny in a weirdo-cool kind of way, which why I was highly amused by this clip I found on YouTube recently of the local Juggalo known as Spooky Z Tha Gravedigguh. Besides being a rabid follower of ICP, the dope dude likes to unleash wicked raps and horrific hip-hop verses in much the same fashion as his heroes Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope while dressed in brutal-looking costumes. He’s not the only one of his kind, however, as there’s a whole crew of PHX rappers like Spooky Z who rock the same kind of hip-hop style as ICP or other artists on Psychopathic Records like Twiztid, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, and Boondox.

They go by monstrous monikers like Ajax, JJ SoSik, or the Darkside Immortals, and usually can be found hanging out and performing at the Monstar Shop, 3619 West Camelback Road (pretty much the official hangout and headquarters for Juggalos here in Phoenix).

The shop’s holding a killer concert this weekend headlined by Native American rapper and Psychopathic artist Anybody Killa, with additional performances by dEwBi, JJ SoSik, Darkside Immortals, Goodfella Tiny, Kronik C, and Ajax. Spooky Z will also be rapping at the show, in addition to celebrating the release of his latest album Poetry of Worms. The show starts at 6 p.m., and tickets are $12 (there's also a free in-store signing session at 2 p.m.).

Check out this gonzo video where Spooky relentlessly pimps the gig while dressed in what I’m assuming is his usual performance costume of a mohawked leather skull mask. (He also manages to run a decapitated head through a saw and waves a knife around in between the plugs).

As a bonus, here’s some footage of a previous ABK in-store session...

…as well as a video of the rapper doing his thing at the Monstar Shop in 2006.