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.
American Psycho
D12 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought we, told we been fucking loco
Cypress Hill, D12, bitch
I'm a little bit off the chain, call me insane
But the fact remains that I'm a psycho
Better get it through your brain
When you say my name
We're fuckin' crazy
We'll fuckin' snap in a minute bitch
I'm a motherfucking omen, I bow down to no man
Split a nigga open, killing folks compulsive
A soldier with a motive, scrotum big as boulders
I hold 'em then unload on you, put it on a poster
So everyone can notice who was focused on us
Poking they nose in our business, hoping that I don't come smoke 'em
No one knows my notions or emotions, I'm a vulture
You niggas close to croaking any moment and I know when
I could fuck the culture up, probably rap
A maniac with anxiety attacks, I don't wanna chat
Speak when you spoken to and I don't have to read a fucking
Magazine or quotable to notice what you hoes will do
We all soldiers, we move as a unit, we all roll up
And show up at your residence, light your front door up
Get scared, life ain't fair
And I'm prepared to blast you just as fast as Dre can say "Hell yeah!"
So watch what you say cause it can happen either today or the next minute
I can draw the heater and spray and I'm dead serious
You could be dead period, end of story
I'm on your porch with a gun and your son, sipping a forty
Nobody can hold me, I does it all by my lonely
I stomp your head when you awake, you be looking like Gumby
Aftermath and Shady, bitch, you can read it and weep
You see my poster in the 'hood for "the G of the Week"
I'm a little bit off the chain, call me insane
But the fact remains that I'm a psycho
You know what, I am crazy
As hell
Better get it through your brain
When you say my name
Never say it in vain, 'cause I'm a psycho
Nigga I'm about to snap any minute nigga, evacuate
They found Saddam, but they ain't gon' find me
I'll be under a tree in Buttfuck, Tennessee
And I don't know too much about my daddy
Except he spit in my face and fucked me in my fanny
I ain't a racist, I just hate whites
Fags and dykes, blacks and transvestites
Thirteen years old and joined a fucking gang
Hair under my ass cheeks feeling the fucking pain
Am I insane? Who really knows?
Cause any second my temper can fucking blow
I get colder than December
Black the fuck out, tomorrow won't even remember
See Bizarre can show you what violence is all about
And this Dr. Dre beat done brought it the fuck out
Run in your house and put a gun in your mouth
And blow your brains the fuck out!
I probably got a screw loose or two
Or maybe three or four of 'em
Some fell out and hit the floor
All I know is ever since my fucking head hit the snowbank
I been a little neanderthalish, no thanks to my man D'Angelo Bailey
But I just take it slow daily, my biggest dilemma's
Trying to figure whether to use the flat head or the Phillips
Or just go to the Home Depot and pick the new power drill up
It's been two hours and six days and I'm still up
I feel like I'm about to snap any minute
There's a new Tower Records about to stop and get a fill-up
Pick the new Cypress Hill up
And go find who did that shit to Xzibit
And go fill up a whole liquor bottle with piss
And shatter his fucking lips with it
I'm a little bit off the chain, call me insane
But the fact remains that I'm a psycho
Better get it through your brain
When you say my name
Never say it in vain, cause I'm a psycho
Karnail Pitts a.k.a. Bugz
Rest in peace, homie
The lyrics to D12's song "American Psycho," are a vivid and frightening portrayal of the mind of a psychopath killer. The opening lyrics immediately establish the theme of the song. The persona describes himself as "the devil" and as "completely dis-gu-uh-uh-sting." He refers to himself as a "human mutt," "a dog," and declares his superiority over harmless creatures like "lambs" by silencing them. He boasts of his involvement in murders that forensic science cannot solve, and his "giant set of balls."
The persona's thoughts are "completely warped," and his speech is a "walking, talking Ouija board," speaking in tongues that he's never spoken before. He warns listeners to not mess with him, as he's so disturbed that he goes berserk easily. The second verse depicts a number of disturbing scenarios - picking up transvestites on his motorcycle, having a crackhead girlfriend who sucks other men's meat, and beating up a woman for not cheating. The verse escalates with the persona having no food, losing his job, and his girlfriend having a miscarriage that he has to eat. The verse ends with the persona being a resident of Waco, Texas, and starting their own world named Bizarre Cemetery, where they eat virgins' cherries.
The final verse chronicles the persona's violent childhood, beatings resulting in being cross-dressed, and being thrown in prison for that. The persona rationalizes their behavior as being pressed, which caused stress leading to taking Ritalin, leading to offenses like hurting children. He is open about his violent tendencies, proclaiming his desire to hurt those who challenge him and throwing their faces flat off the terrace. Overall, the lyrics paint a gruesome picture of a psychopath killer, unable to empathize with his actions' victims.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the devil, if ever there was such a thing
I am extremely evil and demonic, and this may not even be the worst thing in existence
The results of much too many drugs what you're seeing
My appearance and behavior are the consequence of excessive substance abuse
I'm a mindfuck, completely dis-(gu-uh-uh)-sting
My thoughts and actions are utterly confusing, and I am revolting
I'm (what), a human mutt fuck a being I'm a dog
I am an impure hybrid of a human and a mutt, which can be equated with a dog
Fuck lambs, I'm silencing 'em all
I am killing innocent and defenseless creatures, with no remorse
I'm involved in murders forensic science couldn't solve
I am taking part in crimes so complex that they would be impossible to solve using forensic science
Giant set of balls too big to buy a set of drawers
I am so bold and daring that my genitals are too large to be contained by regular drawers
Might as well unzip my fly and let 'em fall to the floor
I am so confident that I might as well drop my pants and show the world my genitals
Each thought's completely warped
All of my thoughts are twisted and distorted beyond recognition
I'm like a walking, talking, Ouija board
I am like a medium who can channel supernatural spirits and communicate in tongues
Speaking in tongues, I've never spoke this speech before
I am uttering nonsensical phrases in an unfamiliar language that sounds like gibberish
Hhem-delle-la, ennich-me-noughh-mi-niche-mick-norrf
I am still speaking incoherent nonsense that seems to contain a few English words
Have you ever experienced spirits in lyrics when you hear 'em
Have you ever felt the presence of supernatural entities while listening to music lyrics?
'til you scared to stare in into any mirrors when you near 'em?
To the point where you become afraid to look at mirrors when those spirits are nearby?
Well if so, get ready for some shit, yo
If you have experienced this, brace yourself for even more disturbing stuff
"Is this some kind of sick joke?" Shit no, motherfucking schizo
Don't mistake this as a prank, it is really the ramblings of a schizophrenic maniac
So disturbed, he just goes so berserk, he tiptoes
I am extremely mentally unstable and prone to fits of rage so intense that I tiptoe around
Fist first with scissors to slit throats of just hoes
I resort to violence immediately and use scissors as lethal weapons to kill women
Just goes to shizzow you dizzon't, fizzuck with
This shows that you should not mess with someone as disturbed and dangerous as me
So-someone this disturbed, sa-sippin on si-zzurp
When you see someone at this level of disturbance, you know that they are using a potent mixture of prescription cough syrup and soda, also known as 'sip-sip'
So lock your doors, drop to the floors
You should take steps to protect yourself from me by locking your doors and getting down on the floor
Get your shotguns drawn here comes another "Clockwork Orange"
Get armed and ready because this will be another violent and disturbing spectacle, akin to the movie 'A Clockwork Orange'
Look at Bizarre, you really think he's right in his mind?
Just take a look at Bizarre, does he seem sane or rational to you?
What the fuck you think's goin' through when he's writin' his rhyme
What do you think is happening in Bizarre's mind when he is writing his rap lyrics?
You bout to, journey into the mind of a psychopath killer
Brace yourself as you are about to witness the frightening mindset of a murderer with severe mental disorders
Blood spiller, mentality much iller
I am not only a killer, but my mental state is far more disturbed than even my killings suggest
Than you could ever imagine in your wildest dreams
My state of mind is so incomprehensively twisted and disturbed that you would never be able to imagine it, even in your most surreal dreams
You'll feel his pain and his silent screams
You will be able to sense his agony and his nonverbal screams of torment
You'll feel his pain and his violent screams
You will also feel his physical pain and his loud screams of violence
It's Friday night, I'm at a rave again
I am at a nightclub party on a Friday night, once again
Picking up transvestites on my Harley-Davidson (hey hop on)
I am riding my motorbike and picking up transgender individuals for sexual pleasure
My girlfriend's a crackhead whore
My partner is a heavy user of crack cocaine and a prostitute
She'll come to your door, suck your dick on the floor
She is willing to perform oral sex for money anywhere, including your floor
And take your bottles to the store (nigga, I'm takin these)
Furthermore, she will steal your alcohol bottles and take them to the store for cash
Have you ever seen a bitch get beat because she won't cheat
Have you ever witnessed a woman getting beaten because she refused to be unfaithful?
Run the street and suck another nigga's meat?
Have you ever been so promiscuous that you had to resort to performing oral sex for strangers on the street?
My son's sixteen years old with nowhere to stay (dad it's me)
My son is already sixteen years old and homeless, but he still recognizes me as his father
I told him he wasn't mine, slammed the door in his face
Despite his recognition, I refuse to acknowledge him as my son and reject him violently
And I ain't got no food, my job I've been cheated
I am not even able to afford food, and I have been scammed at my job
My girlfriend had a miscarriage (I'm sorry) I had to eat it (ohh)
My partner had a miscarriage and despite the tragedy, I was forced to consume the remains of the fetus
My dick is burning, it ain't cause of disease
My penis is in pain, but it is not due to a sexually transmitted disease
Because I'm jacking off with gasoline mixed with antifreeze (AHH!)
It is actually due to the fact that I am masturbating with a highly flammable mixture of gasoline and antifreeze, which is causing physical harm to my genitals
I'm living in Waco Texas, me and my girl
I currently reside in Waco, Texas with my partner
Fuck David Koresh, I'm starting my own world
I do not care about David Koresh or his cult compound in Waco; I am creating my own twisted world
It's called Bizarre Cemetery, it's scary
I have named it 'Bizarre Cemetery' and it is spooky and unsettling
Eating a virgin's cherry, then I'm gonna laugh at you Carrie
I will deflower a virgin and then mock her, just like the character Carrie in the famous horror movie
I was born feet first, smoke 40's and drink weed
I was born in a breech position and I am also prone to heavy drinking and drug use
The Lord rehearsed my birth, I'm the worst breed
God himself prepared me for birth, but I turned out to be the worst possible kind of offspring
A nigga you ever set sight on, my right arm's
I am the most intimidating and frightening person you have ever seen, and my right arm is especially strong
Got more power than 5 of Ivan Drago's pythons so
It has even more strength than the five pythons that Ivan Drago from the movie Rocky IV has in his arm
"Journey into the mind of a psychopath killer"
This phrase is repeated again to emphasize the chilling and disturbing nature of my persona
Light yo' ass like a liquid nitro-gas spiller
I will ignite your ass using a dangerous and combustible liquid called nitro-gas
Psycho slash Michael Myers, Michael Jack's "Thriller"
I embody traits of notorious horror characters like Psycho and Michael Myers, as well as references to Michael Jackson's famous music video Thriller
Rifle slash knife faggot that's your "Cop Killer"
I am also like the murderers who kill cops using a combination of weapons like rifles and knives
As a yougin, I was beat where I was living (aight)
As a young person, I experienced physical abuse and violence in the place where I grew up
Cross-dressed just to get thrown in the women's prison
I even dressed up as a woman to get arrested and thrown in a female prison
I guess I was just stressed to be a hoodlum
I must have been under a lot of stress to turn into a criminal
Being pressed caused the stress that caused the Ritalin
The immense pressure I was under caused the stress that made me need Ritalin (a medication for hyperactivity)
Pressed stressed and Ritalin caused the cop's feelings
All of these factors combined to make the cops feel nervous or suspicious of me
To be hurt after they seen what I did to those children
They had even more reason to be upset and angered after they found out what I did to innocent kids
I'm vulgaric, you Bo Derek, I throw you face flat off the terrace
I am extremely crude and obscene, and I would punch you in the face so hard that you'd fall off a balcony
So you can have somethin' to stare at
I would do this so you'd have something else to look at other than my disturbing face
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Louis M. Freeze, Von M. Carlisle, Rufus B. Johnson, Andre Romell Young, Ondre C. Moore, Marshall B. III Mathers, Michael A. Jr. Elizondo
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind