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.
B N U
D12 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let's take a trip to the world of D-12
The hardest boy band in the world!
Ha Ha Ha, Straight From... Detroit Michigan
Come on Follow Us, Come on!
If I could just, take you through
One thing with, me and you
When I do, what I do
Then I bet, you will not, bother me
Like you do, cuz youll find
You would rather, spend your time B.N.U
(Kon Artis)
You think you know it all don't you dawg all about my life and all
Why I'm poppin this vicodin and drinkin all this alcohol
All up in these clubs throwin up like I ain't got them all
But that's just what you see when you see me hangin wit bringin 'em
It's Funny when I'm bustin my ass for this money and
You ain't never round helpin out but shows you come to them
Run to them wantin in, 30 Niggaz long when you called me to the door
I totally ignore your friends and then they talk behind my back again
I'm back to doin smack again, I have another baby cuz safe sex I ain't practicin
Blazey Bla to squeezey squee, bein fake and Bein me is just your misconception of perception are you're seein me?
If I could just, take you through
One thing with, me and you
You'll see what, I can do
When I do, what I do
Then I bet, you will not, bother me
Like you do, cuz youll find
You would rather, spend your time B.N.U
(Proof)
I ain't gotta like you dude, plenty of time to fight you thru
Arrogant this might be true, smack your bitch slightly boo
Runnin from the white and blue for blowin up a bible school
Lemme show what this rifle do, to ill I got a license too
Nice of you to think I'm not, but I'm ill this true poppin pills shootin guns
Goin to jail (I'll shit on you), yes I'm lotto touched the wire, fuckin bust a nut in Myers
Kelly didn't touch that girl, then again I'm such a liar, this is me all day
You rubbin me the wrong way, listen what the song say and past the fuckin Bombay
Andele' on the over play for the under play Andre is more swift with gun play
One day I'm Proof, next I'm Harry, teks I carry on the run way its necessary that my sex is very nun gay
Hey D-12 we don't play with them gays blame it on our mama's this the way we was raised
If I could just, take you through
One thing with, me and you
You'll see what, I can do
When I do, what I do
Then I bet, you will not, bother me
Like you do, cuz youll find
You would rather, spend your time B.N.U
(Swifty)
They like to know what I can do they ain't got the slightest clue
Question my integrity, I mean it Nigga who is you
You better be prepared for beef we don't need a new recruit
Blow a hole inside of Niggaz bigger than a hoola hoop
See I know the Business, who the hell you talkin stupid too?
Fuck you up have your face lookin like a rubix cube
You can walk the good with me, we can take an acid break
All you gotta do is chew, tablet Nigga have a drink, gamble
Wit us, rob a bank (Man this shit ain't new to you)
What the fuck you Niggaz think, I can shoot at Muslims too
Nigga hey what about that pretty bitch you call your wife, I'ma hit it Nigga
I been suckin titties all my life, stealin shit and startin fights
Pissin on your lawns at night, we hard to get along wit
Stay honor it like dolomite, Nigga you can be polite, I don't talk to people right
And so does the rest of us, you hatin us cuz we alike
If I could just, take you through
One thing with, me and you
You'll see what, I can do
When I do, what I do
Then I bet, you will not, bother me
Like you do, cuz youll find
You would rather, spend your time B.N.U
(Bizarre)
Hey boys and girls, takin drugs is real cool, hangin out in the nude
Actin like a damn fool, its the big guy with the shower cap, kickin sick raps
Talkin bout fuckin kids in the ass crack, never mind Bizarre, you know he's on medication
Smokin weed, drinkin brew, third grade education, all in your house, blunt in my mouth
Call you a bitch and pee on your spouse
(Kuniva)
Look I don't like the chitter chatter, ask the faggots if it matters
Then I'd have to splatter rappers just for actin target practice
Time for action, I'm Kuniva, (Punk) the wet vagina finder, (Punk) so never mind your rhymin
Chumps you might see me behind a pump and yes it damages
And puts Niggaz in bandages and yes I love my pistol like Bizarre loves all his sandwiches
Business is strenuous you fuckin wit some geniuses so many people on my nutz
I wonder how my penis is, girls are prudent wit bodies like Venus and Serena's is
I turn 'em down my wife'll kill me if she every seen this shit, I mean this shit
I'm silly man, I'm smart I'm really ignorant I'm innocence and guilty at the same time
Go and figure it
If I could just, take you through
One thing with, me and you
You'll see what, I can do
When I do, what I do
Then I bet, you will not, bother me
Like you do, cuz youll find
You would rather, spend your time B.N.U
The song "B N U" by D12 is a satirical commentary on the misconceptions and assumptions people make about the group members' lives. The lyrics are delivered in a stream of consciousness style, with each member addressing different topics related to their public image and the judgment they face from outsiders.
The first verse is by Kon Artis, who asserts that people will see his true worth if they give him a chance and that they should spend their time focusing on themselves instead of bothering him. The second verse by Proof addresses the accusations and rumors people have made about him, including drug use, violence, and sexual misconduct. He implies that people have misinterpreted his actions and motivations and that he is not always what he seems. The third verse by Swifty touches on the group's high-risk lifestyle and invites listeners to join them in their exploits. Bizarre's verse, filled with graphic and disturbing imagery, plays on his reputation as the group's wildcard, while Kuniva's verse is a boastful and somewhat nonsensical showcase of his lyrical ability.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could just, take you through
If I could just show you
One thing with, me and you
One thing between us
You'll see what, I can do
You will see my capabilities
When I do, what I do
When I perform my actions
Then I bet, you will not, bother me
Then I am sure you will not bother me
Like you do, cuz youll find
Like you do, because you will realize
You would rather, spend your time B.N.U
You would rather spend your time being yourself
You think you know it all don't you dawg all about my life and all
You believe you know everything about my life
Why I'm poppin this vicodin and drinkin all this alcohol
Why I am taking Vicodin and drinking alcohol
All up in these clubs throwin up like I ain't got them all
Throwing up in clubs like I don't own them
But that's just what you see when you see me hangin wit bringin 'em
But that's just what you perceive when you see me hanging out with them
It's Funny when I'm bustin my ass for this money and
It's humorous when I'm working hard for this money and
You ain't never round helpin out but shows you come to them
You are never around to help, but attend their shows
Run to them wantin in, 30 Niggaz long when you called me to the door
Wanting in, with a large group when you needed me
I totally ignore your friends and then they talk behind my back again
I completely disregard your friends and they talk about me behind my back again
I'm back to doin smack again,
I am back to doing heroin again
I have another baby cuz safe sex I ain't practicin
I have another child because I don't practice safe sex
Blazey Bla to squeezey squee,
Nonsense rhyming
bein fake and Bein me is just your misconception of perception are you're seein me?
Being fake and being myself, is just your incorrect perception of what you see in me?
I ain't gotta like you dude, plenty of time to fight you thru
I don't have to like you, I have plenty of time to fight you
Arrogant this might be true, smack your bitch slightly boo
Although it may seem arrogant, I will slap your partner lightly
Runnin from the white and blue for blowin up a bible school
Running from the cops for bombing a bible school
Lemme show what this rifle do, to ill I got a license too
Let me show what this rifle can do, as I'm skilled and I have a license
Nice of you to think I'm not, but I'm ill this true poppin pills shootin guns
You may think I'm not skilled, but I am capable of shooting guns and taking pills
Goin to jail (I'll shit on you),
Going to jail, I will defecate on you
yes I'm lotto touched the wire, fuckin bust a nut in Myers
Yes, I won the lottery and ejaculated in Myers
Kelly didn't touch that girl, then again I'm such a liar, this is me all day
R. Kelly didn't touch that girl, but then again, I constantly lie, this is the true me
You rubbin me the wrong way, listen what the song say and past the fuckin Bombay
You are irking me, listen to the song and pass the Bombay gin
Andele' on the over play for the under play Andre is more swift with gun play
Hurry up, we don't have time for the slower beats, Andre is more efficient with gunplay
One day I'm Proof, next I'm Harry, teks I carry on the run way its necessary that my sex is very nun gay
One day I'm Proof, next I'm Harry, I carry guns on the runway, it's necessary that I don't engage in homosexual activity
Hey D-12 we don't play with them gays blame it on our mama's this the way we was raised
Hey D-12, we don't deal with homosexuals, blame it on our upbringing
They like to know what I can do they ain't got the slightest clue
People are curious about my capabilities, but they have no idea
Question my integrity, I mean it Nigga who is you
If you question my integrity, who are you?
You better be prepared for beef we don't need a new recruit
Be prepared for a fight, we don't need another soldier
Blow a hole inside of Niggaz bigger than a hoola hoop
Shoot a hole in people larger than a hula hoop
See I know the Business, who the hell you talkin stupid too?
I understand the business, who are you talking foolishly to?
Fuck you up have your face lookin like a rubix cube
Fight you, so your face looks contorted like a Rubik's Cube
You can walk the good with me, we can take an acid break
You can hang out with me, we can take a break with LSD
All you gotta do is chew, tablet Nigga have a drink, gamble
All you have to do is take the pill, have a drink, and gamble
Wit us, rob a bank (Man this shit ain't new to you)
With us, rob a bank (This shouldn't be new to you)
What the fuck you Niggaz think, I can shoot at Muslims too
What do you guys think, I can also shoot at Muslims?
Nigga hey what about that pretty bitch you call your wife, I'ma hit it Nigga
Hey, what about your pretty wife, I'm going to sleep with her
I been suckin titties all my life, stealin shit and startin fights
I have been drinking breastmilk all my life, stealing things, and starting fights
Pissin on your lawns at night, we hard to get along wit
Urinating on your lawn at night, we are difficult to befriend
Stay honor it like dolomite,
Stay loyal like Dolomite
Nigga you can be polite, I don't talk to people right
You can be polite, but I don't speak to people correctly
And so does the rest of us, you hatin us cuz we alike
The rest of us also don't speak correctly, you hate us because we are similar
Hey boys and girls, takin drugs is real cool, hangin out in the nude
Hey boys and girls, taking drugs and being naked is cool
Actin like a damn fool, its the big guy with the shower cap, kickin sick raps
Acting foolish, the big guy with the shower cap is here, rapping with potent lyrics
Talkin bout fuckin kids in the ass crack, never mind Bizarre, you know he's on medication
Talking about having sexual intercourse with children, never mind Bizarre, he's on medication
Smokin weed, drinkin brew, third grade education, all in your house, blunt in my mouth
Smoking weed, drinking beer, with a third-grade education, all in your house with a blunt in my mouth
Call you a bitch and pee on your spouse
Insult you and urinate on your significant other
Look I don't like the chitter chatter, ask the faggots if it matters
I don't like small talk, ask the homosexuals if it matters
Then I'd have to splatter rappers just for actin target practice
I'd have to kill rappers as target practice
Time for action, I'm Kuniva, (Punk) the wet vagina finder, (Punk) so never mind your rhymin
Time for action, I'm Kuniva, the wet vagina finder, so don't worry about your rapping skills
Chumps you might see me behind a pump and yes it damages
You might see me with a gun, and yes it causes harm
And puts Niggaz in bandages and yes I love my pistol like Bizarre loves all his sandwiches
It puts people in the hospital and I cherish my gun, like Bizarre loves sandwiches
Business is strenuous you fuckin wit some geniuses so many people on my nutz
Business is tough, you are dealing with intelligent people and many people are bothering me
I wonder how my penis is, girls are prudent wit bodies like Venus and Serena's is
I wonder what women think about my genitalia, they have bodies like Venus and Serena
I turn 'em down my wife'll kill me if she every seen this shit, I mean this shit
I reject their advances because my wife would be upset if she saw this
I'm silly man, I'm smart I'm really ignorant I'm innocence and guilty at the same time
I am humorous and smart, but also blatantly ignorant and both innocent and guilty simultaneously
Go and figure it
Figure it out for yourself
Contributed by Logan J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.