What Does the History of Cave-In-Rock have in Common with Gathering of the Juggalos and Horror Rap?
What is Cave-in-Rock?
One wouldn't necessarily assume the name of a geological artifact capable of being responsible for drawing in 20,000 horror rap music festival attendees (Juggalos and Juggalettes) year after year, but that's exactly what Illinois' Cave-in-Rock does.
The village surrounding Cave-In-Rock has been responsible for hosting the official meet-up of horror rap outfit Insane Clown Posse's Gathering of the Juggalos in the past, and will once more host thousands of Juggalos and Juggalettes from August 11-14 this year. But what makes this location so special? Is it more than just a cave in a rock where Juggalos and Juggalettes enjoy themselves?
Interestingly enough, the area has a history much richer than what the label Cave-in-Rock would have the casual Juggalo assuming, and it fits the horror rap atmosphere perfectly as well.
The Legend of Cave-in-Rock
Legend has it that Cave-in-Rock was an outpost for fugitives as early as 1790. Over the years it became a well known hideaway for counterfeiters, horse thieves, general robbers and plain old outlaws, just the type of €underground€ personalities horror rap fans and Juggalos alike have come to respect most at Gathering of the Juggalos.
Shortly after Cave-in-Rock was used as a secret hiding place, it was converted into a combination gambling den, tavern, brothel, and general crime refuge by militia captain Samuel Mason at the end of the 18th century. He would soon use it to lure in gullible river travelers and then kill and rob them. Many outlaws would occupy the strategic post that Cave-in-Rock had to offer throughout the 19th century with very similar intentions in mind.
Horror Rap and Modern Day Cave-in-Rock
Yet the history of bandits occupying the Cave-in-Rock throughout time begs the question, has anything changed today? Of course there are no modern day pirates waiting to seize the next weary riverboat travelers, but the Gathering of the Juggalos horror rap festival comes close to recreating a similar atmosphere for four days every year.
The discord that broke out during performances by Tila Tequila and Method Man at last year's Gathering of the Juggalos festival is no secret, just like the Cave-In-Rock area was notorious for ambushes of a different kind two centuries ago. And according to this year's Gathering of the Juggalos infomercial, €you'll probably get laid,€ so the Cave-in-Rock brothel connection isn't too far off either.
But that's not all. For all the horror rap genre tags that Juggalos and Juggalettes throw around, it has an alternative meaning at Cave-In-Rock. That's because the place is allegedly haunted with the spirits of various murder victims who've perished here throughout the centuries. Sounds of unexplained moaning in the cave have been reported here, and the ghost of famous Anna Bigspy supposedly haunts her namesake's cave not too far away. Talk about horror rap!
Horror Rap outfit Insane Clown Posse and their enormous collection of horror rap adoring Juggalo and Juggalette followers are without doubt enigmatic, and continue to add to Cave-in-Rock's mystique every year the Gathering of the Juggalos horror rap festival is held there.
One wouldn't necessarily assume the name of a geological artifact capable of being responsible for drawing in 20,000 horror rap music festival attendees (Juggalos and Juggalettes) year after year, but that's exactly what Illinois' Cave-in-Rock does.
The village surrounding Cave-In-Rock has been responsible for hosting the official meet-up of horror rap outfit Insane Clown Posse's Gathering of the Juggalos in the past, and will once more host thousands of Juggalos and Juggalettes from August 11-14 this year. But what makes this location so special? Is it more than just a cave in a rock where Juggalos and Juggalettes enjoy themselves?
Interestingly enough, the area has a history much richer than what the label Cave-in-Rock would have the casual Juggalo assuming, and it fits the horror rap atmosphere perfectly as well.
The Legend of Cave-in-Rock
Legend has it that Cave-in-Rock was an outpost for fugitives as early as 1790. Over the years it became a well known hideaway for counterfeiters, horse thieves, general robbers and plain old outlaws, just the type of €underground€ personalities horror rap fans and Juggalos alike have come to respect most at Gathering of the Juggalos.
Shortly after Cave-in-Rock was used as a secret hiding place, it was converted into a combination gambling den, tavern, brothel, and general crime refuge by militia captain Samuel Mason at the end of the 18th century. He would soon use it to lure in gullible river travelers and then kill and rob them. Many outlaws would occupy the strategic post that Cave-in-Rock had to offer throughout the 19th century with very similar intentions in mind.
Horror Rap and Modern Day Cave-in-Rock
Yet the history of bandits occupying the Cave-in-Rock throughout time begs the question, has anything changed today? Of course there are no modern day pirates waiting to seize the next weary riverboat travelers, but the Gathering of the Juggalos horror rap festival comes close to recreating a similar atmosphere for four days every year.
The discord that broke out during performances by Tila Tequila and Method Man at last year's Gathering of the Juggalos festival is no secret, just like the Cave-In-Rock area was notorious for ambushes of a different kind two centuries ago. And according to this year's Gathering of the Juggalos infomercial, €you'll probably get laid,€ so the Cave-in-Rock brothel connection isn't too far off either.
But that's not all. For all the horror rap genre tags that Juggalos and Juggalettes throw around, it has an alternative meaning at Cave-In-Rock. That's because the place is allegedly haunted with the spirits of various murder victims who've perished here throughout the centuries. Sounds of unexplained moaning in the cave have been reported here, and the ghost of famous Anna Bigspy supposedly haunts her namesake's cave not too far away. Talk about horror rap!
Horror Rap outfit Insane Clown Posse and their enormous collection of horror rap adoring Juggalo and Juggalette followers are without doubt enigmatic, and continue to add to Cave-in-Rock's mystique every year the Gathering of the Juggalos horror rap festival is held there.