ROX-TV Invades Toledo Ohio for the OG Juggalo Jam. The place was jumping, the DJs were on fire, and everyone got down like the old days.
Welcome back to the ROX-TV website. Tonight, we will be talking about the OG Juggalo Jam, that went down in Toledo, Ohio last night. The place to be was the neighborhood of “Five Points” in West Toldeo and ROX-TV was on hand to capture the vibe of the scene. The event took place at the Polish Ostrich, at 944 Phillips Avenue near the famous intersections of Sylvania, Lewis, Martha, and Phillips Avenues.
The area of “Five Points” has a rich history of Toledo bars and eateries including “Mancy’s Steakhouse” which has operated in the neighborhood since 1921. Another Toledo classic in “Five Points” was Rudy’s Hot Dog, which sat across the street from the Polish Ostrich.
The neighborhood to me, had a tough working class feel to it, classic to the Midwest. The neighborhood could have been in Flint or Detroit and would have fit in just fine. Toledo, otherwise known as “Glass City” for its deep connection to the glass making industry over many decades also was heavily industrialized with factories for General Motors and Chrysler, among others.
The City of Toledo, like many places around the country suffered a rather rough go of things during the Great Depression in the 1930’s. In 1940, during the Great Migration (which was characterized as African Americans leaving the South for the Midwest, Northeast, and West. The movement which started in 1940 and lasted through 1970 saw more than five million African Americans on the move for chances at a better life). African Americans came to the Midwest, Detroit, Flint, and Toledo for industrial jobs, which they had been previously denied in the South. During the 1950’s and 1960’s African American owned businesses flourished in the area of Dorr Street. Sadly, the construction of I-75 would displace many, along with other failed urban renewal projects.
By the 1980’s Toledo was hurting from what some would describe as a “depressed economy”. The residents of this proud city have been working to revitalize the town with various projects including city beautification projects, urban gardens, as well as some recent major investments by Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (which pumped $700 million into the city in 2018 to help revitalize the steel industry in East Toledo). The city has also revitalized some historical buildings in the downtown area to attract a new sense of optimism.
4:45pm Michigan
It was time to hit the road and leave the 810, with my destination just over the Michigan and Ohio border. Starting out wasn’t bad but the skies seemed to have it in for me. Towards the end of the night, I would be doing some serious battle with the weather, but the journey started out fair enough. There was an overcast of gray clouds which I don’t mind at all. From my years working midnights aka “the graveyard shift”, I had come to enjoy less sun over the years. I just seem to operate better when the sun goes down. Healthy? Probably not, but it’s what I like.
So anyway, the trip south was pretty basic. Just another high speed burn down US-23. The traffic was moderate, which pissed me off because for some reason, Michiganders don’t fully understand that the right lane is for passing. If you want to go 70 to 75 miles an hour, stay the fuck out of the left lane. It seems like a simple concept, which citizens of the Upper Peninsula and other states seem to understand. But who knows for sure? I think the baby boomers who have grown into senior citizens, among others, just do whatever they want. A hold over thinking pattern for sure. Maybe that’s a little harsh, considering I do what I want as well, but I do take into account people in my near vicinity, especially on the road ways.
Once I got south of the Ann Arbor traffic and down into the southern counties, things smoothed out some. Although I did pass five cars in the express lane just north of Ann Arbor because the drivers couldn’t get it together. The express lane was closed, marked by signs with the giant red X, but I had had enough bullshit by then and used the lane illegally for a half a mile. Sue me.
5:45pm Ohio Border
About an hour into the drive and I was crossing into Ohio. The area has an interesting history, one marked by a “war” between Ohio and Michigan, which started in 1835 and ended in 1836. The “war” moniker was a little overhyped though, because there was never any direct gun battles between the two states, although both had ordered their state militias to the area. In fact only one casualty was ever associated with the “war” and that was a deputy sheriff who had been stabbed during an arrest in the area at the time.
Michigan and Ohio were locked into a disagreement about who owned a swath of land (estimated between five and eight miles in width at the border) near the line separating Ohio and the Michigan territory. The feud was solved when Michigan was given the Upper Peninsula and Ohio kept the land in question.
As I hit the Ohio border, I took the speed down considerably due to my fears of aggressive Ohio State Troopers. Since I was a kid, I had heard stories about the dreaded traffic warriors, who enforced the speed limit with an iron fist. Although I’ve never been ticketed, the stories have had an effect on me over the years. Michigan can be a speedway with the lack of MSP Troopers on the highways, but Ohio is a different story. I always judge where I’m at by how the locals are going about their business. The Ohio drivers stuck to a strict obedience for the posted speed limit, which was 60mph. If the locals aren’t fucking around, I sure as hell won’t. It’s just good policy. You live and learn. Trust in the local’s intuition, especially if you’re from out of town.
6:20 pm Five Points, Toledo
After a quick jump onto I-475 and then a quick exchange to North I75 towards Detroit, I found my exit and got off the highway. I ended up on Phillips Avenue and pushed on. I noticed a sign that read “Five Points” and knew I was close. Another mile down the road and I observed “Mancy’s Steakhouse” and that was it. The Polish Ostrich was across the street next to a Subway franchise.
I dipped into the lot and due to limited parking, looked for a better spot. I pulled out onto Sylvania and found a glorious empty parking spot directly in front of the Polish Ostrich. The parking God’s were blessing me with some good fortune. I parked the ride and proceeded inside. I was pretty early, considering the doors for the OG Juggalo Jam was scheduled to open until 7:30pm, so I decided it was a good time to sample the fare of the Polish Ostrich.
I had previewed their menu earlier in the day and the place boasted of some traditional Polish food among other items that caught my eye. I’m an Irish cat, with a basic diet of meat and potatoes, but figured I might see what the Polish brothers had to offer.
6:30pm Polish Ostrich
The interior was friendly enough, with a nice stage on one side of the room, and plenty of tables and seating available for the patrons or fans. I cruised the menu again and lost my will to be adventurous. In the end, I settled for a Steak and Cheese situation (with fries in the side car). The place was filling up and I beat the crowd to the food. A few minutes later the waitress brought out the food and it was good. I took a moment to relax, because driving anywhere that requires more than an hour in one setting can be a slight pain in the ass. It felt good to ease back into the chair and take in the sights and sounds.
The place was equipped with a fair amount of flat screen tv’s at the bar and was showing everything from “Office Space” to the NCAA basketball games, to other shit that I had no idea what it was. There was an adjoining game room through a door way, but I never got around to seeing what exactly was going on in that part of the joint. I was focused on eating and got my fill. From there it was a waiting a game.
A short time later I heard a familiar voice coming from behind my location. I knew this voice and it belonged to the talented and killer DJ Dankish. I’ve interacted with DJ Dankish in the past, and first met the homie at the 4/20 Medikal Records show back in 2021, almost a year ago exactly (which I found interesting. The Medikal Records show went down on April 17th, 2021, at Hot Rocks in Warren Michigan, now defunct). DJ Dankish had been on the show and we got introduced in the smokey parking lot. It was a Medikal Records show so you know the blunts were getting burned and they did. For those inclined to read more about that show, follow the link.
DJ Dankish was setting up and doing a soundcheck. He was slotted to drop a dope set around 8:30pm and I knew that there would be a proper showcasing of old school hip hop and Insane Clown Posse songs to boot. I waited a few minutes before heading up to the stage to say hello. It was good to see him and we talked about some of the underground news and other action going down. I wished him a good show and got out of his way as he continued to set up.
8:00pm Showtime
The show was getting ready to jump off and people were filling up the Polish Ostrich. OG Juggalos were everywhere and was well represented by the Psychopathic Gear they were rocking. Other groups of people, there to support the local Toledo Artists who were also performing later in the night, added to the crowd. The door man started “wanding” people with a metal detector for weapons, and security was on hand in case the Juggalos got out of hand.
One door man had a gun and a riot sized can of pepper spray, just in case, but the night would prove peaceful and jovial. When I went outside to smoke a few cigarettes I noticed the Toldeo Police were in the area. I guess the Juggalos were on the local PD’s radar and rightly so. During the 2001 Gathering of the Juggalos, Toledo had seen some rioting by the Juggalos who eventually destroyed the stage during ICP’s set.
There were some thirty arrests during the “riot” as MTV referred to the event, with one Juggalo punching a Police Horse. Twenty years had passed but the Juggalo legends were still enough to keep law enforcement in the area or at least that’s what I concluded. They could have been just passing by, but after a couple loops if felt like they were hanging close. Who knows? I don’t work for the Toledo Police so I guess someone would have to ask them. The MTV link to the Toledo Riot article is below.
DJ Dankish took control of the one’s and two’s around 8:30pm and the night officially began. The show was put on by TJAKS Promotions and he addressed the crowd at times, sharing hosting duties with the one and only, Juggalo Legend…Rude Boy and DJ Carlito respectively. Dankish blended an amazing set with all the old school proper jams that the crowd really responded to.
9:00pm-ish
During the show, Rude Boy and DJ Carlito gave a shout out from the stage to the amazing author Jason Webber. For those of you who are not aware, Jason Webber was the publicist for Insane Clown Posse. He has a heavyweight background of prior work as well, being featured in SPIN Magazine, Paste, Vice, and the Metro Times. If you’re a Juggalo who enjoys the written word than you already know about his memoir called “Purple Bananas“.
Jason was a very cool guy and we talked for a few moments at the bar. Below is the link to his book on Amazon and I believe it is also for purchase on the Target website as well as. Like I said, check this guy’s work out today. You will be glad you did. Support your local authors as well as your local artists…hell for that matter also support the local record stores and tattoo shops. Ohio was definitely in the house and I was glad to be there.
https://www.amazon.com/Purple-Bananas-Prince-Selections-Soundtrack/dp/1098325524
https://www.target.com/p/purple-bananas-by-jason-webber-paperback/-/A-81520949
“From rocking a stage with Insane Clown Posse to writing speeches for big city mayors, Jason Webber has lived a challenging and fascinating life of high adventure. A native of Oak View, California, Webber has served as the award-winning editor of Toledo City Paper, the publicist for Psychopathic Records, and his work has appeared in such publications as Paste, bitch, Metro Times, and VICE”
-Excerpt from Amazon
(About the author Jason Webber)
10:00pm-ish
The night featured many of Toledo’s underground rap acts including TJaks, Bolic, THC, DeadSide (Blood Bank Entertainment) with Shotty and Restriktid and more… it was a great night. The crowd was fully engaged and the atmosphere was a classic party. I didn’t know all the acts that performed but they all sounded great live. Like with most live events I go to these days, I try to soak up as much as I can from the environment. The crowd, the venue, and so on. Toledo has a banging scene for the underground music.
At some point, my homegirl from Michigan hit the stage. HB The Grizzly, who I would describe as having one hell of a soulful and unique sound. This lady has a set of pipes that will blow you out of your seat during her performances.
It’s impossible to ignore this talented performer and you will be hearing and seeing her a lot, especially this summer. That’s about all I can say at the moment, so just keep on coming back to ROX-TV. She’s promised us an exclusive interview in the coming months, so we will find out more than, but she’s on the grind and that’s a fact.
I first met HB The Grizzly during my work on Rude Boy’s “My Life The Funhouse” which is available for purchase on Amazon. I interviewed her for the a portion of the book that focused on Rudy Hill and DJ Carlito’s dope radio show on CRB: Cruisin The Barrio. After speaking with her, she made a guest appearance on the show and has been a frequent contributor off and on for Cruisin The Barrio ever since. The show airs on CRB’s website every Friday night at 9:45pm.
12:30am
It was getting on in the evening and with a long drive ahead of me, it was time to bid farewell to the Los Drifters as well as other friends in the crowd. I talked with Captain Dab for a bit, Bob Roxxx, DJ Dankish, and of course my brothers Rude Boy and DJ Carlito. The event was still going strong when I boogied out. The fucked-up part of the journey was just beginning for me though, as the weather had conspired to turn to Grade-A shit. It started out innocent enough with rain that was itching to become snow and ice. I made my way back to I75 and pushed the ride north towards Detroit.
Sadly, within minutes of hitting the highway, I was engulfed in the worst type of snow imaginable. The kind that comes straight into your path and makes everything look like hyper speed in space, when Hans Solo hit the boosters. I felt like I was flying a smaller version of the Millenium Falcon. The car temp gauge said it was around 37 degrees outside, so I wasn’t worried about ice yet, but the mind fuck of a driving snow was really messing with my mind, as well as the other drivers out on the road.
I figured I would be able to drive out of the storm because how big could the bastard be? Well, it turned out that it was fucking insane for almost 55 minutes straight. I was north of Detroit near the Oakland Mall when it finally started to chill out. By then my nerves were shot from the vertigo inducing flurry. The rain would kick up here and there but the worst was behind me. I limped home and by 1:55am or so, was finally getting back to the 810. It had been a good night, with good people and music. The OG Juggalo Jam was a great event and Toledo, including the Polish Ostrich were very hospitable. ROX-TV had successfully invaded another town and we were on our way. I have it on good authority that ROX-TV will be heading back to Ohio on April 9th, but that is another story for another time. Thanks for chopping it up with me tonight and as always: Treat everyone with respect and keep an open mind. Until next time….333
Signing Off,
Mike Shepard
ROX-TV Website
Editor/Head Writer
kidvicious810
