Most cult artists don't get to bask in the glow of their underground stardom until well into their sunset years, but Detroit's
Insane Clown Posse has managed to maintain a successful, semi-lucrative career in real time without ever penetrating the mainstream. Sure, they dipped the occasional deformed clown shoe in the river of pop culture when 1999's
Amazing Jeckel Brothers debuted in the Top Five, but since then they've drawn a crooked line in the street with haters on one side and "Juggalos" and "Juggalettes" on the other. Those fans won't be disappointed with
Violent J's first "full-length" solo offering, a 15-track onslaught of Midwest Dirty Rap that fits nicely (though a little more abstractly) into the
ICP "Dark Carnival" mythology. Originally released to coincide with the group's ninth annual "Gathering of the Juggalos" seminar and featuring guest appearances from
Esham,
Necro, and right-hand
Clown Shaggy 2 Dope, the 2009 edition is completely remastered by longtime producer
Mike E. Clark and includes four new songs. ~ James Christopher Monger