However, it was as a solo artist that D12 member Eminem found success. All of the members of D12 have aliases and Eminem chose Slim Shady as his. Eminem was formerly in a group called Soul Intent along with Proof before leaving and forming with D12.
Eminem's success persuaded Proof to establish D12 on a more permanent basis in early 1999. Bizarre, Eminem, Kon Artis, Bugz, and Kuniva were recruited to join the group. Kuniva and Kon Artis were previously part of Da Brigade. However, Bugz passed away in Detroit on May 21, 1999 because of a gun incident at a picnic that turned into a shooting, leading to Kuniva proposing Swift take Bugz's place. Each of the members of the crew wears a tattoo of Bugz's name in his honor. The tracks Good Die Young and Bugz 97 (the latter of which features an appearance from Bugz) on D12 World are also in his memory.
The six members of D12 signed a contract with Eminem's Shady Records and Interscope in 2000. The fact that D12 rose to prominence after Eminem led many people to assume that the other members had less significance in the group - this would be the concept of the group's 2004 hit single My Band. They also made the song to adress the common using of Eminem featuring D12.
Despite Eminem's prominence in the music industry, D12 insists that there is no frontman in the group and that Eminem is just another member. In spite of this, D12 recently began to tour as a separate entity to Eminem, a controversial move that could lead to confusion among concert-goers who may believe they are paying to see Eminem as well as the other five performers.
Sadly, early morning on April 11, 2006, Proof was shot and killed at a Detroit-area nightclub. Proof, real name DeShaun Holton, was 32 years old. Proof was also one of Eminem's best friends and will be missed by fans and friends.
History
Early career and The Underground EP (1996–1998)
In 1997, they released their debut extended play, The Underground EP, which was recorded between 1996 and 1997. In 1997 and 1998, its members began establishing reputations locally. Bizarre was named Inner City Entertainment's "Flava of the Week" and went on to release an album, Attack of the Weirdos. Along with Eminem, Rah Digga and Young Zee, he became an honorary member of The Outsidaz. Proof won a freestyling competition run by The Source. In 1999, Bugz released These Streets EP, and made several appearances on other rappers' songs.
Around the time of Eminem's first record deal, Proof attempted to revive D12. He managed to recruit local Detroit hip hop duo Da Brigade, composed of Kuniva, a local MC, and Mr. Porter, a longtime friend of Eminem and Proof. At the time, Porter was the group's producer (he later produced Eminem's first album, Infinite), but Kuniva persuaded him to join the group as an artist. Later the group was joined by Bugz, and Bugz introduced his longtime friend Swift, who at the time was a member of rap duo Da Rabeez.
Death of Bugz (1999)
On May 21, 1999, Bugz was shot and killed at a picnic. One of his final acts had been a request that Swift join the group. Eminem volunteered to replace Bugz; this led to him rejoining the group. Mr. Obnoxious, his first solo album, was released in February 2000 after his death. D12's first album, Devil's Night, is dedicated to him.
Devil's Night, D12 World and appearances without Eminem (2000–2005)
Their debut album, Devil's Night, referring to the tradition of setting unoccupied buildings on fire the night before Halloween, was released in June 2001. It debuted at number one on the U.S. and number two on the UK chart, also reaching the top of the Canadian charts. Devil's Night went on to sell four million albums worldwide and two million in the U.S. In 2021, the album was rereleased digitally as an expanded edition to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of its release which featured three bonus tracks, an unreleased freestyle, the a cappella version of "Shit On You" and the instrumentals to "Shit On You", "Purple Pills", "Fight Music" and "Blow My Buzz".
In August 2001, D12 and Esham were kicked off the Warped Tour after members of the group physically attacked Esham over the lyrics of his song "Chemical Imbalance", which contained a reference to Eminem's daughter. Eminem was not present during the tour. D12 World was released on April 27, 2004, featuring production by Dr. Dre, Eminem, Porter and Kanye West, and guest appearances by Obie Trice on the track "Loyalty" and B-Real of Cypress Hill on the track "American Psycho II". It debuted at the top of the U.S., UK, and Australian albums charts, and at number two in Germany—selling over half a million records in its first week of release in the U.S. alone. "My Band", the album's first single, also reached number one in Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. rhythmic top forty, the top five in the UK[9] and Germany, and the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100.
D12 was eclipsed by Eminem's success, touring without him to promote their second album while he recorded Encore. D12 members Bizarre and Proof managed mildly successful solo careers with the releases of Hannicap Circus and Searching for Jerry Garcia in 2005. D12 performed live, without Eminem, at the House of Blues in Chicago to promote both albums. That concert was released on DVD in 2005 as D12: Live in Chicago. D12, without Eminem, performed on the track "She-Devil" of Tech N9ne's 2002 album Absolute Power. They recorded "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" for Eminem's album Recovery but the song wasn't included on the album. It was eventually included on an Eminem mixtape Straight from the Lab Part 2 in 2011.
Death of Proof and Eminem Presents: The Re-Up (2006)
On April 11, 2006, Proof "pistol-whipped an unarmed man and shot him in the head", and was in turn fatally shot by the man's cousin. On December 5, 2006, Shady Records released Eminem Presents: The Re-Up which featured performances by Eminem, D12, 50 Cent, Obie Trice, Stat Quo, Bobby Creekwater and Cashis while affiliated artists such as Lloyd Banks, Akon and Nate Dogg, made guest appearances. Some tracks were collaborative performances from D12 members, such as "Murder" by Bizarre and Kuniva and "Whatever You Want" by Swifty McVay and Mr. Porter. The track "Trapped" by Proof included an intro by Eminem paying his final respects saying, "Big Proof, rest in peace dudey we love you. We just wanna keep making you proud."
Member changes, hiatus, mixtapes and comeback (2007–2013)
After four years of inactivity D12 released a new mixtape Return of the Dozen Vol. 1 (2008), without Eminem who was working on his solo album Relapse. There were solo performances by D12 members such as Kuniva's "If You Want It", similar to Eminem's solo performance "Girls" on Devil's Night. The mixtape Return of the Dozen Vol. 2 (2011) followed three years later. It featured Fuzz Scoota, an original member of D12 who left in 1999. Eminem performed on one track. Because Eminem was on tour promoting Recovery with Mr. Porter his hype man D12 had only four active members, Bizarre, Kuniva, Fuzz and Swift.[citation needed] D12 performed at the Kanrocksas Music Festival on August 5, 2011. The track, "Outro", off the Return of the Dozen Vol. 2 mixtape, had a music video released on September 1, 2011, though the video did not feature either Eminem or Mr. Porter. The group also stated intentions to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the release of the Devils Night album, though the celebration was held on the actual Devil's Night on October 30 in Saint Andrew's Hall in Detroit, Michigan, even though the album was released months earlier on June 19, 2001. In 2012 Bizarre left D12, citing creative differences, and Mr. Porter left to pursue a solo career, leaving D12 with four members. Asked about the group's status in 2012, Kuniva replied that it's "not over, we're still coming. However, when Mr. Porter was asked in 2013 about a possible new D12 album he responded "Not happening bro sorry".
Bizarre and Kon Artis rejoin, Shady XV, unreleased third studio album and The Devil's Night Mixtape (2014–2015)
In January 2014, Mark Bass of the Bass Brothers confirmed that D12 had been recently recording at the F.B.T. studio and he had been mixing their recorded material. He also confirmed that Eminem was featured on at least three songs that had been completed. February 2014, Bizarre confirmed that he was back in the group and that D12 would be releasing their third studio album during 2014. On August 25, 2014, a press release on Eminem's official website also revealed D12 to be featured on the label's upcoming 2-disc compilation album, titled Shady XV. The album, released on November 24, 2014, featured one greatest hits disc and one disc with new material from a variety of Shady Records recording artists including D12. The new D12 song was entitled "Bane", which features the return of Kon Artis and was also produced by him. The song did not feature Eminem or returning member Fuzz Scoota.
On August 18, 2015, D12 confirmed on Tim Westwood TV that they had already recorded a large number of songs for the album and will release it "when the time is right."[25] On October 1, 2015, it was announced that D12 would be releasing a new mixtape, The Devil's Night Mixtape was released on October 30, 2015, and it featured Lazarus, King Gordy, Royce da 5'9", Bizarre, Swifty McVay, Kuniva and Mr. Porter. It also included a freestyle by Eminem for its introduction although he wasn't present on any other tracks throughout the whole mixtape. It was hosted by DJ Whoo Kid.
Solo careers, collaborative works and breakup (2017–2018)
In 2017, D12 had been focusing on their respective solo careers. On February 17, Swifty McVay released his debut album Grey Blood. Bizarre released his new mixtape Tweek Sity 2,in addition to working on collaborations with other artists such as Riff Raff, King Gordy and Qom Qazamah respectively. Swifty McVay and Kuniva are currently working on their collaboration album, titled My Brother's Keeper. On August 31, 2018, Eminem released a song titled "Stepping Stone" on his album Kamikaze. On it, Eminem announced that D12 was officially broken up due to the death of Proof.
10. Purple Pills
D12 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, yo, yo, yo
I take a couple uppers, I down a couple downers
But nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple pills
I've been to mushroom mountain, once or twice but who's countin'?
But nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple pills (yo, yo)
With a couple of Valium inside her palm
It's Mr. Mischief with a trick up his sleeve
Roll up on you like Christopher Reeves (oh)
I can't describe the vibe I get
When I drive by six people and five I hit (whoops)
Aw shit, I started a mosh pit
Squashed a bitch and stomped her foster kids (ah)
These shrooms make me hallucinate
Then I sweat 'til I start losin' weight
'Til I see dumb shit start happenin'
Dumber than Vanilla Ice tryna rap again (oh)
So bounce, bounce, come on bounce
I said come on, bounce
Everybody in the house with a half an ounce (me)
Not weed, I meant coke, dumb-ass sit down
We don't bullshit, better ask around
D12 throws the bombest bash in town
Bizarre, your mom is passin' out
Get her ass on the couch 'fore she crashes out (come on)
Fuck that, someone help Denaun
He's upstairs naked with a weapon drawn
Hey Von you see me steppin' on these leprechauns?
It gotta be acid 'cause the X is gone
Yeah, I took 'em all, dawg, with some parmesan
And I think my arm is gone
Naw, it's probably numb
Young, dumb, and full of cum
And I think he 'bout to swallow his tongue
Scary-ass it was a false alarm
You think I'm 'bout to die when I just got on?
Well, stop actin' stupid
You so high that you might wake up with a guy on some new shit (ew)
Yeah, I think I did too much (uh-huh)
This substance equals cups (uh-huh)
Red pills, blue pills, and green
Big pills (that's ill), Mescaline
I take a couple uppers, I down a couple downers
But nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple pills
I've been to mushroom mountain, once or twice but who's countin'?
But nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple pills
Dirty Dozen, eighty of us, Shady brothers, ladies love us
That's why our baby mothers love us but they hate each other
They probably wanna take each other out and date each other
Some, some, some, something, something
Something, something, na-di-na-na (I don't know, fuck it)
Pop pills, pills I pop
Pop two pills, on stilts I walk
Snort two lines that were filled with chalk
Thought I was incredible and killed the Hulk (oh)
I wanna, roll away like a rollerblade
Until my eyes roll back in my skull for days
And when I'm old and gray look for dope to smoke
No okie-doke, I'm packin' my nose with coke
Am I supposed to choke?
Had an accident when the Trojan broke
Aw, poor baby, born by a whore lady
Now I gotta strangle an (you're crazy), ha
I pop four E's at one time
And I don't need water when I'm swallowin' mine
(Hey, you got any shrooms?)
Does Bizarre smoke crack?
We can't get jobs, because our arms show tracks (trace)
Why the hell you niggas think I rap?
We do it just to get your company hijacked (oh)
If you like smack (uh-huh), then I might too (Swift, chill)
I just wanna get high like you (ew)
And I don't give a damn if they white or blue (uh-huh)
Speed, shrooms, down the Valiums (uh-huh)
Even smoke weed out of vacuums
I just copped some and I'm goin' back soon
I take a couple uppers, I down a couple downers
But nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple pills
I've been to mushroom mountain, once or twice but who's countin'?
But nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple pills
I'm at rave, lookin' like a slave, high off chronic
Gin and tonic demonic, body smell like vomit
Pussy poppin', acid droppin', dope-headed guy
Heroin, Mescaline, pencil leads, wanna try?
Blue pills, golden seals, got Bizarre, actin' ill
Drugs kill (yeah, right) bitch, I'm for real
Shut your mouth you dirty slut
You know you want it in your butt
I'll put it in your cunt
Let Bizarre nut
I take a couple uppers, I down a couple downers
But nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple pills
I've been to mushroom mountain, once or twice but who's countin'?
But nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple pills
Dirty Dozen, eighty of us, Shady brothers, ladies love us
That's why our baby mothers love us but they hate each other
They probably wanna take each other out and date each other
Some, some, some, something, something
Something, something, na-di-na-na (I don't know, fuck it)
In the song Purple Pills by D12, the lyrics describe the experiences of the group taking various drugs, from uppers to downers to psychedelics. The lyrics are chaotic and full of references to drug use, violence, and sexual activity. The chorus boasts about the blue and yellow purple pills being the best high they have ever experienced. The verses describe the different effects of different drugs and their impacts on the group members, with varying degrees of intensity and danger.
The song is a commentary on drug culture and the way that it can be both alluring and dangerous at the same time. The lyrics seem to both celebrate and criticize drug use, and the tone of the song is both energetic and grim. The song has been controversial since it was released, with some critics regarding the lyrics as glorifying drug use and others suggesting that they are a parody of the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
I take a couple uppers, I down a couple downers
I consume stimulants and depressants
But nothing compares to these blue and yellow purple pills
But these blue and yellow purple pills are my favorite
I've been to mushroom mountain, once or twice but who's countin'?
I've used psychedelic mushrooms before, no need to keep track
Cool, calm, just like my mom
I feel relaxed like my mom does when she takes Valium
With a couple of Valium inside her palm
She takes Valium in her hand
It's Mr. Mischief with a trick up his sleeve
I'm a mischievous person with something sneaky planned
Roll up on you like Christopher Reeves
I'll surprise you like Christopher Reeves in a wheelchair
I can't describe the vibe I get
I can't explain the feeling I'm experiencing
When I drive by six people and five I hit (whoops)
When I accidentally hit five out of six people with my car
Aw shit, I started a mosh pit
Oh no, I caused a mosh pit to form
Squashed a bitch and stomped her foster kids (ah)
I accidentally killed a girl and trampled her foster children
These shrooms make me hallucinate
These mushrooms make me see things that aren't real
Then I sweat 'til I start losin' weight
I sweat excessively and begin to lose weight
'Til I see dumb shit start happenin'
Until I begin to witness foolish events
Dumber than Vanilla Ice tryna rap again (oh)
Even more foolish than Vanilla Ice attempting to rap again
So bounce, bounce, come on bounce
So let's jump, jump, come on let's jump
Everybody in the house with a half an ounce (me)
Everyone in the house should have a half-ounce of drugs
Not weed, I meant coke, dumb-ass sit down
I'm referring to cocaine, not marijuana, so sit down and listen
We don't bullshit, better ask around
We don't lie, go and ask other people about us
D12 throws the bombest bash in town
D12 hosts the craziest party in town
Bizarre, your mom is passin' out
Bizarre, your mom is fainting
Get her ass on the couch 'fore she crashes out (come on)
Help her sit down on the couch before she passes out
Fuck that, someone help Denaun
Forget about that, someone assist Denaun
He's upstairs naked with a weapon drawn
He's upstairs with no clothes on and has a weapon in his hand
Hey Von you see me steppin' on these leprechauns?
Hey Von, do you see me crushing these leprechauns under my feet?
It gotta be acid 'cause the X is gone
It must be LSD because the ecstasy pills are finished
Yeah, I took 'em all, dawg, with some parmesan
I consumed all of them, with some cheese (parmesan)
And I think my arm is gone
I believe that my arm is missing
Naw, it's probably numb
Actually, it's probably just numb
Young, dumb, and full of cum
I'm young, stupid, and sexually aroused
And I think he 'bout to swallow his tongue
I believe he's going to choke on his own tongue
Scary-ass it was a false alarm
It was a terrifying experience, but it turned out to be a false alarm
You think I'm 'bout to die when I just got on?
Why would I die so soon after I started using drugs?
Well, stop actin' stupid
Stop behaving foolishly
You so high that you might wake up with a guy on some new shit (ew)
You're so intoxicated that you might wake up next to a strange man doing something weird
Yeah, I think I did too much (uh-huh)
Yes, I believe that I consumed too much of the drug
This substance equals cups (uh-huh)
I have consumed so much of this substance that it could fill many cups
Red pills, blue pills, and green
I've used different colored pills, such as red, blue, and green
Big pills (that's ill), Mescaline
I've also taken large pills and a hallucinogenic drug called Mescaline
Dirty Dozen, eighty of us, Shady brothers, ladies love us
I'm part of the Dirty Dozen group of rappers, we are eighty in total, loyal to Eminem and popular with women
That's why our baby mothers love us but they hate each other
That's why our ex-girlfriends who are also mothers love us, but they don't get along with each other
They probably wanna take each other out and date each other
They likely want to both kill each other and date each other
Some, some, some, something, something
I'm not sure what to say next
Something, something, na-di-na-na (I don't know, fuck it)
I can't think of anything else to say, I'll just make a nonsense sound
Pop pills, pills I pop
I consume pills, that's what I do
Pop two pills, on stilts I walk
After consuming two pills, I feel like I'm walking on stilts
Snort two lines that were filled with chalk
I snorted two lines of drugs that were mixed with chalk (a cutting agent)
Thought I was incredible and killed the Hulk (oh)
I believed that I was so strong that I killed the character Hulk from the comic books
I wanna, roll away like a rollerblade
I want to escape by rolling with rollerblades
Until my eyes roll back in my skull for days
I want to do this until my eyes are all the way back in my head for several days
And when I'm old and gray look for dope to smoke
When I'm older and have gray hair, I'll still be looking for drugs
No okie-doke, I'm packin' my nose with coke
No fooling, I'm snorting cocaine
Am I supposed to choke?
Should I be choking?
Had an accident when the Trojan broke
I had a mishap when a condom broke
Aw, poor baby, born by a whore lady
Oh, how sad that you were born to a prostitute
Now I gotta strangle an (you're crazy), ha
Now I have to kill someone (just kidding)
I pop four E's at one time
I consume four ecstasy pills at once
And I don't need water when I'm swallowin' mine
I don't need water to help swallow the pills
(Hey, you got any shrooms?)
(Hey, do you have any psychedelic mushrooms?)
Does Bizarre smoke crack?
Does Bizarre use crack cocaine?
We can't get jobs, because our arms show tracks (trace)
We can't get hired because our arms have track marks from injecting drugs
Why the hell you niggas think I rap?
Why do you think I'm a rapper?
We do it just to get your company hijacked (oh)
We rap to get attention and make people listen to us (and maybe even join our drug-fueled party)
If you like smack (uh-huh), then I might too (Swift, chill)
If you enjoy heroin, then I might also enjoy it (Swift, calm down)
I just wanna get high like you (ew)
I just want to get as intoxicated as you are (even though it's kind of gross)
And I don't give a damn if they white or blue (uh-huh)
I don't care if the pills are white or blue, I'll take any of them (probably OxyContin)
Speed, shrooms, down the Valiums (uh-huh)
I use amphetamines, psychedelic mushrooms, and Valium tablets
Even smoke weed out of vacuums
I smoke marijuana from vacuum cleaners (as a makeshift bong)
I just copped some and I'm goin' back soon
I just bought some drugs and I'm going back to get more soon
I'm at rave, lookin' like a slave, high off chronic
I'm at a rave, appearing like a drugged-out slave, high on marijuana
Gin and tonic demonic, body smell like vomit
Gin and tonic make me feel possessed, and my body smells bad from throwing up
Pussy poppin', acid droppin', dope-headed guy
I'm indulging in wild sexual behavior, taking acid, and have a drug addiction
Heroin, Mescaline, pencil leads, wanna try?
Heroin, Mescaline, and pencil lead (a toxic substance) - want to try them?
Blue pills, golden seals, got Bizarre, actin' ill
I take blue pills and golden tablets (probably Xanax), making Bizarre act crazy
Drugs kill (yeah, right) bitch, I'm for real
People say that drugs can kill you, but I don't believe it. I'm serious about using drugs.
Shut your mouth you dirty slut
Stop talking, you promiscuous woman
You know you want it in your butt
You know you want me to anally penetrate you
I'll put it in your cunt
I'll put it in your vagina
Let Bizarre nut
Bizarre can climax now
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Denaun M. Porter, Deshaun Dupree Holton, Jeffrey Irwin Bass, Marshall B. Mathers, Ondre C. Moore, Rufus Johnson, Von M. Carlisle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@6Foot4Honda
I miss these days :(
@charneneethling2215
For realz
@BroccoliChedda
Why don't you upload anymore
@JaDTheJester
Only og’s know it’s really purple pills
@TheSmashhed
Evil Deeds Elvira Cowboy Long Drugs what a day white male at drugstore Satans Satanist Jesus Loves you Cable Guy watching YouTube just left a racist place and you want leftover beef GOD bless you Youtube OMG Bee
@jabhutt1013
Jeez. it was just 10 years ago...a bit too early to miss:D
@riversider2506
Such a wholesome song about mother nature and her many hills 🥺❤️....
@elenachiritescu2681
Hahah!🤣
@jockeyhockey1626
Ahahahah
@yanikanev3783
Hilarious! I'm stealing this.