The Insane Clown Posse is a face-paint-wearing rap group that emerged during the early 1990s out of Detroit's underground music scene. Despite the opposition they have faced from mainstream media, ICP has gone on to amass millions of fans.
Each year they host an event known as the Gathering of the Juggalos, which consists of performances by a variety of hip-hop artists and a great deal of chaos. Those who attend the event are called Juggalos and Juggalettes, the names designated for the loyal male and female followers of ICP.
At the 2010 gathering reality show star, Playboy model, and singer Tila Tequila took the stage for a performance but was forced to leave after she was pelted with rocks and bottles thrown by the out of control crowd. Hip-hop artist Method Man also left the stage with blood dripping from his face after taking a direct hit from what was reported to be a full beer can that was thrown at him, though he eventually finished his performance.
So who would want to step onto the stage at this year's gathering knowing the risk that's involved? M.C. Hammer would.
The rap superstar, who was wildly popular in the late 80s and early 90s, recommitted his life to Christ after going through bankruptcy in 1996, among a number of other personal problems. His renewed commitment to his faith was evident in the music he created after that, though he never totally made the transition from secular to gospel music.
“If kids say I'm just a gospel rapper, I won't be able to get in their cars,” he reportedly said following his reawakening. It appears that he is taking a similar approach to the 2011 Gathering of the Juggalos.
One of Hammer's Twitter followers recently asked him if he still considers himself a Christian and, if so, how performing at such an event lines up with his faith? He responded with a concise, biblical example.
“They saw him hanging out with drunks and said, 'you can't be the son of God,'” he wrote, referring to Jesus' earthly ministry and the criticism he received from the religious leaders of his day.
The four-day concert event is scheduled to take place Aug. 11-14 in Cave-In-Rock, Ill., for nearly half a week of camping, concerts, appearances by professional wrestlers and all sorts of mayhem. Other artists that will be performing at this year's gathering include Insane Clown Posse, Busta Rhymes, Ice Cube, Saliva and Vanilla Ice, just to name a few.
It comes as no surprise that after last year's gathering one of the rules listed on the event's website is that everyone who plans to attend is restricted from bringing “glass containers of any kind” to the event. Hopefully, Hammer can manage to make it out safely while setting an example for both the artists and the fans present at the event.
