Gathering Of The Juggalos: How It Changed My Life
The GOTJ Has Come And Gone! Here’s My Full Experience
Written By: Sid Jones
The 20th Annual Gathering Of The Juggalos is over. And as you’re aware, I can say that I was there. But, before we get into my thoughts and outcome, I just want to say, fuck this hill! Now, this year the tagline for the GOTJ was Welcome Home. And the weeks leading up to the gathering, I didn’t quite understand why. Well, I do now.
Me and a fellow Juggalo I met at the 20th annual
Before we begin, I want to thank Party Masters for providing us with the necessary and high quality gear. And I will also say that they held it down at the Asylum Benefit show. Andy was a great sound guy and greeted with, “You fucked up chants!” A warm welcoming to the Juggalo world.
I also want to take the time and thank 7th Dimension for all of their love and support. Whether it’s kratom or delicious coffee, look no further than this company that offers the best products for your morning wake up call. They also matter because they gathered.
Now..let us begin!
Parking Lot Party
My team and I were greeted with bright lights, loud music and high energy. At nearly 11 at night I will add and the Gathering of the Juggalos appeared to be under way. Now, I should mention this here and now. I have never been to a music festival of any kind. This is my very first and it was more than I could hope for. And that’s just the parking lot party. Our gear being packed away, we didn’t catch footage. But, we witnessed it and we got a glimpse into the following day. Or so we thought.
This was all made possible by the juggalos. With vendors at every corner, tents set up and vehicles blasting music. I still cannot get over the expectations the team had. And the following day, was bitter sweet. This is where our first day amongst the juggalos really shined. And it all starts with that damn hill.
Day 1
I decided to take the trollies and interact with the juggalos.
We woke up and unpacked the vehicle, trying to figure out where camp was established. Eight in the morning and it was already hot. Standing in the large parking lot under the unforgiving rays of the sun, we eventually found where camp was. And it was down that one mile hill. On the bright side, there was plenty of shade provided by the trees.
We carried our gear in several trips. Side by side with the juggalos and of course greeting each other with looks of dread and exhaustion from the night before. Once we found our site, we rested before gearing up for the Axsylum show. And this was something I was not prepared for.
And I’m just grateful we weren’t far from it. Presented by the Jugganati, a group that dedicates their time and money into helping others in need. Their presence was felt at the Cannibal stage. And the performances were amazing. From artists such as Scrub Central, Xtra Overdoze, Maximum Ovrlod, and others all performing. Talented artists from all around the United States. It was the best way to start off the gathering.
I can’t lie, I went to sleep around ten or so that night. And this is where I learn a valuable lesson: Enjoy the nightlife.
Day 2: Jumpsteady Educates
I awoke to the sun shining in my tent. So as I’m climbing out of my tent, I notice there are other juggalos awake. Mostly because they have been to bed yet. So, I’m standing there talking to them and hearing their stories on how they got into the scene and gathering experiences from the years prior. Which, would become the theme of my entire day. After an energy drink and time to wake up, I want to explore the gathering grounds. And this is where Jumpsteady delivered an important message during the Gathering seminar.
A slideshow presentation, hosted by Jumpsteady and others including Faygoluvers very own Scotty D. It was a glimpse into the hardships and glorious moments in GOTJ history. And there was one gathering in particular where he stated that the definition of what a Juggalo is officially changed. From being a fan of ICP to a movement.
If I’m going to be schooled by someone, does it have to be that soon?
Day 2: Nightlife
This is Angel and I at the Pajama Party
I was not going to fall asleep early. Because, if I’m going to experience the gathering and truly understand what it’s all about. My camera men were getting footage of the performances and interacting with the juggalos. What I’m trying to say is, we didn’t just cover the event. We experienced it. At every turn, there is always something to at the GOTJ. And for me, this night I hung out with someone in particular. I won’t use her real her name. So, let’s call her Angel. I approached her and talked to her about her Purge dress, how she got involved in the scene and so on.
I stuck around for the performance and left with Angel.
We decided to head to the Shaggy Pajama Party and watch Tre Lb perform. With Shaggy 2 Dope DJing, it was my first time seeing the two on stage in person. And it was a lot of fun, especially because of the company I had. Angel was a lot of fun and I was trying to get her to enter the most creative pajama contest. And I know deep down, she wishes she had. And it’s all good. We hung out and wandered the grounds, sharing more stories and experiences.
All while hearing the juggalos yell, “Sid takes it! Fuck Sid Jones!” And I felt right at home.
Day 3: Sid Officially Gathers
When I tell this story, I still shake and tremble. In fact, I can’t even remember what I really did that day. But, I remember interviewing Man-Kini. Everything prior to that is kind of a blur and that’s because of the incident that truly changed me for the rest of my life. I will never be the same afterwards. And believe me, what I am about to tell you may surprise you.
I was at main stage and I saw a friend of mine charging towards the other “fuck this” hill. And I’m thinking to myself, “he’s looking for a fight.” So, I’m running as fast as I can to get an understanding of what was happening. Without all of the details, he was just having a bad trip and I helped him get out of it. And that’s just the beginning.
The Fight
After helping a woman with her wagon, partying at main stage and talking to Ant G, it’s time for me to pass out. So, it’s four in the morning. Fairly quiet and I’m walking back to my tent. I hear some commotion and brush it off as just a fist fight. But, then I hear “get off of him!” Which means, it is not a fair fight. I turn to my left and see a guy punching a tent. I’m learning that there is someone inside of it. The collapsed shelter was being brutally assaulted and I’m thinking, “they could be suffocating and can’t defend themselves.”
I run towards the one sided brawl and shouted for the man to get off of him. The assailant was much bigger than me and there was no way I could fight this guy. So, I decide to stick to my wits and point out that his necklace is broken. The victim’s girlfriend and I somehow, forced him out of their camp and help her boyfriend out of the tent.
A bloody and battered Juggalo emerged from the material. I ran and got the EMTs, jumping in the back of their four wheeler and directing them to the site. The Juggalo and his girlfriend were inspected with flashlights shining on them and that’s when I realized how much blood there was.
“I’d shake your hand.” He says to me, looking down at his hands, caked in blood. “But.” He indicates that he’s soaked in red. He rides off in the back of the vehicle and I make my way back to camp.
I was Wrong
One of the men that sat down with me. Much love to this guy right here!
I’m trembling in the dark, looking like I’m tweaking to those I walk by in the early morning darkness. And when I get to camp, I sit in by the Jugganati tent site, staring at the ground and unable to think or sleep. As I write this, my hands aren’t steady at all.
Kasper shows up and I ran over to him, clinging to him and stammering. He brings me back over to the Jugganati site and sits me down. “Did you eat something, drink or take anything Sid?” Kasper asks. I don’t even remember what I said. All I can think about is the Juggalo that was beaten, battered and bloodied.
Members of the team returned by this point and they saw me “tweaking.” They came over to check on me, including D-Lyrical. Church sat down beside me with a hand on my back. I told them what I saw and did. And they assured me I would be okay. Kreyz was there too and they had me stare at the sky, until I was finally exhausted and just wanted to sleep.
Juggalos…after all the things I said and did they had my back. Even though to them, they had seen things like that before. Instead of leaving me alone to cope with it, or mock me. They surrounded me with love and compassion. Despite all the things I say and do online, they gave me water, fed me and took care of me. The entire gathering.
Day 4: My Experience Continues
Camera Man, Jake hanging out and playing games with the juggalos.
I’m greeted with looks of concern. I was gifted with a cold energy drink and I’m sitting with them, trying to clear my head. And at this point, I just need to be around people. So, we took to the gathering grounds and conducted interviews, talked to juggalos and so on.
It was extremely hot and walking under the unforgiving sun drove me to madness. But, the juggalos invited me into their tents and told me stories, shared their food and cold beverages. Just like a family does. We went back to the Cannibal Stage and interviewed some of the most iconic people in the underground and walked all the way towards the parking lot, which was a near two mile hike on a dirt road. And that sun beating down on us. You can find those interviews and more on the RoxxxTv Facebook and YouTube.
Day 4: Sid’s Faygo Challenge With A Message
I’m going to be very clear. My going to the gathering was to have the full experience. And there is a man that delivered a message to me earlier during the gathering. And I have to give him props. His name is Skeletor and I’m still not sure where he stands with me. But, when I mentioned that we were trying to get more interviews, he said to me and the team. “Don’t shove that microphone in their faces, just gather. Stick to your writing, you’re good at it.” Well, by the end of the night, he had one more message to send me.
Me with Sister Hatchet after my Faygo/Beer challenge
As you all know, I took to the gathering with an opinion. I said some things about juggalos and the gathering. But, I can honestly say that they proved me wrong on every level. It’s not about the “new generation” or the old school juggalos. It’s about coming together once a year and holding it down. An event established by Psychopathic Records and carried on by the juggalos. And when they joined in or why, does not matter.
But, I also insulted the Faygo Challenge and said, “I will not partake in any of this.” At the GOTJ, I did not have a choice. I’m standing with my arms crossed, watching the stage and waiting for the Insane Clown Posse to take stage. And a Faygo bottle launches beside me, spraying me. So, I wash the corn syrup soda out of my hair with my water bottle. Only to be greeted with ice cold Faygo being poured over my head.
My Faygo Armaggeddon
There’s no other way I can say this. I took it. When that soda soaked me and my clothes, I didn’t react. But I’m standing and nodding in defeat. But, it doesn’t end there. This time, a 2 liter of Faygo his stuck in the back of my shirt and the soda ran down. And, I’m pulling the plastic bottle out of my shirt, still unsure of who it was that was doing this. Now, here comes the beer. I have a beer dumped over my head by who I’m assuming is the same person.
After one more beer and more bottle of Faygo, an entire cooler of melted ice is dumped on me. And that’s when I see Skeletor. And he says to me, “Leave the punk shit alone and remember what it’s like to be a juggalo.” Now, allow me to be very clear about this: I deserved every bit of what I got and I wasn’t even mad. In fact, it opened my eyes. Kreyz, Sista Hatchet, Cold Love and I all danced to the music and sang along with the crowd.
The Highlight
Now, this may get a little controversial. So please, stick around and read my words carefully. While the notorious fire may seem like a bad thing, to me it meant everything. When the vendor tent somehow ended up in the bon fire, the juggalos are chanting, “we fucked up!” In perfect harmony and as they chanted, a picnic table is carried over to the raging fire and tossed in. And the juggalos watching on cheered.
Now, here comes the controversial part. I rather enjoyed it. See, I was told juggalos are the punks of the hip hop world. And I don’t think I can refer to them by being a fan of any genre. Each and every one of us are different. We all come from different backgrounds and have different outlooks on life.
But, no matter what, the juggalos are a family. And they are not closed off from society and they aren’t violent people. In fact, I would argue that we have a lot in common. We love watching shows, celebrating and being chaotic. So, that fire to me is symbolic. And as you all know, I love chaos and I love anarchy.
Final Thoughts
The juggalos brought a little bit of anarchy to the gathering. No one got hurt, and the damages were not that severe. Do not let this incident scare you away from the gathering and don’t let this be how you judge the juggalos.
We stood united by the flames and we looked out for each other too. Because that’s what being a Juggalo is all about. Love, compassion, dedication, and a little bit of anarchy. If there is anyone I trust to be self policed, it’s a Juggalo. And I encourage the punk rockers to salute them for this moment in gathering history. And join them for Gathering 21.
Me and the homie Cold Love! My brother for life.
There were people of all ages at this event. Young and old, come one come all. And each and everyone of us had the time of our lives. While there were a few incidents, do not let this be a negative reflection. In fact, if it does then you absolutely have to gather. It’s worth it and it changed my life forever. What’s more, is that I actually evolved into a better person. They opened my eyes. It wasn’t about the Insane Clown Posse, Rittz, or Vinnie. And, it has nothing to do with the beautiful women, the chaos or the music. It’s about the juggalos. And if you feel like you’re an outsider, I strongly encourage you to think beyond that.
These are my people. And I couldn’t be more proud. From here on out, say what you will of me. I will always have Juggalo family.
