This study examines how rave subculture is constructed differently by participants of the rave scene and by external observers of the rave scene. Mainstream national media articles are compared to interviews with self-identified ravers to understand how rave subculture is constructed. Subcultural and Post-Subcultural theory support this method and illustrates how concepts of subcultures have changed over time. The construction of rave culture by the media as associated with drug abuse and illegal activity attracted drug abusers and irresponsible young people to the rave scene. This consequently led to a change in the rave scene and a criminalization of rave culture and the rave promoters through passing of the Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act