Rest in Peace Cannibal, Beloved Brother and Juggalo Poet

Today the Juggalo Family mourns a great loss. Rest in Peace to our beloved Cannibal (aka Thomas Cottington), Juggalo brother, problem child, fly emcee, untamed force, warrior spirit, and, in his last musical performance, winner of the 2015 Juggalo Psypher at this year's Gathering, where his standout flow and stage presence is now forever immortalized. The art of emceeing was a way of life for a man like Cannibal. East Coast Juggalos recall with fondness his freestyles and endless battles spit with fury outside Philly venues, a staple of the late 90s and early 2000s. His Juggalo story goes back to the days when we would happily cut class just to stand out alongside the Electric Factory at 6 a.m. and spit freestyle flows, rain, sleet, snow, or hail. (Call us postal.) It was a different time then. And we were just kids. But that was a long time ago... No stranger to life on the streets, Cannibal fell off from the scene when he served a long bid for assault. The rowdy problem child did his time, humbled, and emerged again to seek the fellowship of the Juggalo Family, a changed man but yet still untamed. This was a man they called the Cannibal. The wild one. The fierce warrior. And in one final tragic twist of fate, Cannibal's story became one of ultimate sacrifice and redemption. Late at night on September 14, 2015, he was in Rodney Square in Wilmington, Delaware, when he witnessed a mother with her small child being mugged at knife point at a bus stop. According to witnesses, he immediately intervened to protect the mother and her child--both strangers. He was fatally stabbed in the chest by the assailant in the scuffle. His murderer was apprehended within minutes. The mother and child escaped the episode physically unscathed. Some say live by the sword and die by the sword. And it is truly my belief that Cannibal, fierce warrior and protector, found his way home to Shangri-La when he gave his precious life to save a stranger. He will be sorely missed and deeply mourned. Rest in Peace, Cannibal, fierce warrior and protector of the innocent. Thank you. For everything you are and for being more than a friend--our brother. A protective force. Take a moment to witness Cannibal's final public performance: https://youtu.be/iciS0qTTznQ Gone but never forgotten, until we meet again.