The annual Gathering of Juggalos,
held this year from August 10 to 14 in Cave-in-Rock, Ill., is one of the most unique and unusual 2011 music festivals. At its heart is a roster of some of the the best gangster rap and hard rock artists, along with a full slate of pro wrestlers and comedians as well.
Add to that camping and late-night revelry that includes mud wrestling, wet T-shirt contests, and other extracurriculars, and you've got an event unlike other run-of-the-mill 2011 music festivals.
This year, the Gathering of Juggalos features some of the best names in gangster rap. Because gangster rap isn't featured in many 2011 Music Festivals, the Gathering of Juggalos is a required stop for fans of the genre. Here are five of the top gangster rap artists performing at the Gathering of Juggalos.
Ice Cube: As one of the founding members of N.W.A., Los Angeles-based Ice Cube is practically synonymous with gangster rap. He's no stranger to the Gathering of Juggalos, either, and his performance this year is much anticipated.
Busta Rhymes: Busta's not exactly a gangster rap artist, though he's one of the festival's biggest mainstream rap stars and is known for older, more hardcore material too. Though he performs often, this is his first time at the Gathering of Juggalos and a rare performance on the circuit of 2011 music festivals.
Mystikal: In a case of gangster rap antics come to life, Mystikal just got done serving a big prison sentence for assault. This, his only performance among the 2011 music festivals, is part of a comeback attempt.
Juvenile: In the late '90s, Juvenile was known for his brand of southern gangster rap. He's fallen off the radar lately though so his Gathering of Juggalos appearance also marks part of a comeback.
Tech N9ne: This Kansas City, Missouri-based rapper embraces a number of styles, from horrorcore to gangster rap. He's a regular at the Gathering of Juggalos, pretty much the only one of the 2011 music festivals he'll play outside of his own recent tour.
This is just a handful of gangster rap and similar artists performing at this year's Gathering of Juggalos. The lineup, unlike other 2011 music festivals, also includes many more, plus many rock bands as well. Really, none of the other major 2011 music festivals compare -- check it out and see for yourself.
