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.
Bring Our Boys
D12 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your fakeness is atrocious
post is deep in your hypnosis
then focus
roll this
and smoke this
like L's
of that bomb-ass herb thats gaurenteed to rock bells
Travelin citys
pimpin babblin biddys
game trump tight and solidified
comupterized
to get rid of spies
know what I do to guys
shootin and spittin lies
I'm banished in exisdence
vanishin any instences
brandishin sentences
proovin repentences
the only way to see me, dont miss these
me and my crew smoke so many trees that
I piss leaves
never my bitch please
but keep smokin my system, roll blunts it's all tight
on an off night
I still smoke like exaust pipes
and bust a universal flow
and blow your wig back like niggas with toupe's
drivin a convertable
and further more
I run the board
your shit is played and the way you fell off you coulnt bounce
back with a bungee cord
[Chorus]
Bring your boys in
we can bring the noise in
YOU DON'T WANNA FUCK WITH DIRTY DOZEN
[repeat 4 times]
[Bizarre]
My crew is like a maze
put fear like ex-slaves
who wanna step to this microphone and think that they brave
dozen always startin the fuckin beef
I don't care if your from Kansas I'm killin the fuckin chief
back the fuck up I'm releasin my dumb-dumbs
tell your whore stop pagin me 9 1 1
I'm the star
that they call Bizarre
smokin blunts with Mel Far (??)
in my brand new car
wanna see me
even if I was in Arizona I'd still request iced tea
Bizarre don't give a shit about you
on top of the mountain ain't nothin your bitch-ass crew
can do
sick emcee that they call Peter
treat your crew like an unexpected meter
reader
fuckin more shit than Howard Corsell
Butt-fuckin Jassabells
in nasty hotels
[Chorus]
[Proof]
How you think your crew sound compared to this
it's the team that your entire clique scared to diss
demandin attention when the glock sound
y'all niggas to be murdered like Jeffery Daumer on lock down
I'm brown like Bobby, pullin hoe's like whitney
Take your title, kill your moms so you won't forget me
lips sealed nigga I might blow important plots
whoever fronts is gettin done like Micheal Jordan's pops
sure I'm number one translator my fame dirty D
y'all niggas gettin hung like this was 1933
got word of me
now flee
cause you don't got a chance
death is 3 easy steps so now we gotta dance
so look away
dont play
with the style master
I love killin beef so I kill a whole cow pasture
lyrically I'm sick, ill everything but sober
my nickle plate pack the jackin fool get fucked over
[Eminem]
Dirty Dozen is the clique so I ran over and lit cha
ripped the ass right out ya pants like a Dovermin Pincha
like the cobra and ninja
my intentions to injure
and prevent ya
from enterin from the edge of my center
or get your muthafuckin pants split at the creases
fuckin you intelectually givin you menatly sexually transmited diseases
my duty is to keep a stranger barred
I guard my sector like a Saint Bernard
and this ain't the yard
Bringin the noise like a trigger happy gun slinger
droppin your whole clique with one finger
til none linger
beware of my dogs attackin like a pack of Great Danes
chargin like freight trains
through the great plains
[Chorus]
The lyrics to D12's song "Bring Our Boys" are a combination of braggadocio, violence, and drug use. The song is about how their crew, the Dirty Dozen, is the best and that no one should mess with them. Each rapper in the group takes a turn spitting rhymes about their skills, how famous they are, and how they're not to be messed with. Eye Kyu raps about smoking weed and being a hip-hop refugee, while Bizarre has a verse about how he's not scared of anyone and will kill anyone who steps to him. Proof raps about how he's the best and how no one can come close to his skills, while Eminem raps about how he'll destroy anyone who tries to challenge him.
The song's chorus is a chant of "Bring your boys in, we can bring the noise in, You don't wanna fuck with Dirty Dozen" which emphasizes the crew's belief that they're the best and no one can take them down. The song's lyrics are heavy on bravado and showboating but also, they highlight the group's camaraderie and their commitment to each other. The song's verses also show how each rapper in the group brings their own unique rapping style to the group.
Overall, "Bring Our Boys" is a song that showcases the Dirty Dozen's talent and their ability to come together as a tight-knit crew.
Line by Line Meaning
Your fakeness is atrocious
I can see right through your fake persona and it's disgusting.
post is deep in your hypnosis
You're so consumed by social media and the fake facade you put up that it's hypnotizing you.
roll this and smoke this like L's of that bomb-ass herb thats gaurenteed to rock bells
Let's smoke some high-quality weed that'll definitely make us feel good.
Travelin citys pimpin babblin biddys
I'm traveling from city to city, picking up women and having meaningless conversations with them.
game trump tight and solidified comupterized to get rid of spies
My skills are on point and I've got everything under control, even in the digital age where spies can snoop on us.
know what I do to guys shootin and spittin lies
If someone tries to mess with me or spreads lies about me, I'll take care of it by any means necessary.
I'm banished in exisdence vanishin any instences brandishin sentences proovin repentences
I've been exiled and forced into obscurity, but I'm still making a point and proving myself by my strong words.
the only way to see me, dont miss these
If you want to see me, don't let the opportunity pass you by.
me and my crew smoke so many trees that I piss leaves
Me and my friends smoke so much weed that I urinate leaves, which is a metaphor for how much we consume.
never my bitch please but keep smokin my system roll blunts it's all tight on an off night
Don't doubt me or talk down to me, but let's keep smoking and having a good time even on bad days.
I still smoke like exaust pipes and bust a universal flow and blow your wig back like niggas with toupe's drivin a convertable
I'm always rapping and smoking, my flow is impressive, and I can blow your mind like a toupee flying off a convertible.
and further more I run the board your shit is played and the way you fell off you coulnt bounce back with a bungee cord
I'm in charge, and your music is outdated and irrelevant. You fell off so bad that you couldn't even rebound with a bungee cord.
My crew is like a maze put fear like ex-slaves who wanna step to this microphone and think that they brave
My gang is like a labyrinth that strikes fear into people, including those who have the courage to challenge us on the mic.
I'm killin the fuckin chief back the fuck up I'm releasin my dumb-dumbs tell your whore stop pagin me 9 1 1
I'm taking down the leader of the opposition and unleashing my posse on anyone who gets in our way. Stop bothering me, too.
smokin blunts with Mel Far (??) in my brand new car wanna see me even if I was in Arizona I'd still request iced tea
I'm smoking weed with my buddy (Mel Far is probably a reference to local Detroit personality Mel Farr, who was known for his commercials selling used cars while smoking a cigar), and I'm driving around in my new car. Even if I were in a different state like Arizona, I would request my favorite drink (iced tea).
Bizarre don't give a shit about you on top of the mountain ain't nothin your bitch-ass crew can do sick emcee that they call Peter treat your crew like an unexpected meter reader
I don't care about you or your weak group. I'm on top of the world and you can't touch me or my crew. Peter, another member of my group, will handle your crew like an unwanted meter reader.
fuckin more shit than Howard Corsell Butt-fuckin Jassabells in nasty hotels
I'm doing more outrageous things than controversial sports commentator Howard Cosell. I'm even having sex with unattractive women in seedy hotels.
How you think your crew sound compared to this it's the team that your entire clique scared to diss demandin attention when the glock sound
Do you really think you can compete with us? Our group is so intimidating that everyone is afraid to challenge us. When we whip out our guns, people take notice.
y'all niggas to be murdered like Jeffery Daumer on lock down I'm brown like Bobby pullin hoe's like whitney Take your title kill your moms so you won't forget me
We'll kill anyone who crosses us, just like notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. I'm a ladies' man like Bobby Brown and I'll even go as far as killing your mother so you remember me forever.
lips sealed nigga I might blow important plots whoever fronts is gettin done like Micheal Jordan's pops sure I'm number one translator my fame dirty D
I may be secretive, but if you cross me or interfere with my plans, you'll face the same tragic end as Michael Jordan's father. I'm the top rapper and my reputation is well-known.
y'all niggas gettin hung like this was 1933 got word of me now flee cause you don't got a chance death is 3 easy steps so now we gotta dance
We're ready to hang you like it's 1933. When you hear about me, run and hide because you don't have a chance. Killing you is as easy as three steps, so let's get to it.
Dirty Dozen is the clique so I ran over and lit cha ripped the ass right out ya pants like a Dovermin Pincha like the cobra and ninja
Dirty Dozen is my group, and I'm so tough that I'll tear the ass out of your pants like an aggressive dog, or strike like a cobra and ninja combined.
my intentions to injure and prevent ya from enterin from the edge of my center or get your muthafuckin pants split at the creases
I want to hurt you and prevent you from even trying to enter my territory. I'll even rip your pants apart at the seams as a warning.
fuckin you intelectually givin you menatly sexually transmited diseases
I'll mess with your mind and give you a mental STD as a form of domination. This line is also a play on words, since it sounds like 'infecting you intellectually.'
my duty is to keep a stranger barred I guard my sector like a Saint Bernard and this ain't the yard Bringin the noise like a trigger happy gun slinger
I'm responsible for keeping outsiders out and I'm fiercely protective like a Saint Bernard dog. I'm not messing around, and I'm bringing the heat like a reckless gunslinger.
droppin your whole clique with one finger til none linger beware of my dogs attackin like a pack of Great Danes chargin like freight trains through the great plains
I'm so powerful that I can take down your entire group single-handedly. My crew is like a pack of attack dogs, and we'll come charging at you like freight trains through open land.
Bring your boys in we can bring the noise in YOU DON'T WANNA FUCK WITH DIRTY DOZEN
We're not afraid to take on anyone who challenges us. We're the Dirty Dozen, so don't mess with us.
Contributed by Joshua N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
megvettemawinrart
D12 feat. Eminem is like Wu-Tang feat. Method Man...
Fire Central
@Orwood Wellson he also repped d12 in 94 on dumpin by parts unkown
Orwood Wellson
@Get me Out he kinda was, he was in 3/10 songs and proof shouted him out in two others. He didnt RE-join until Bugz died in 1999
Get me Out
He wasnt in d12 at the time he joined later on
HvadMan
Doc James Burton when did he said that
Doc James Burton
Eminem is not a part of D12 anymore
SibirskyBoy
i'm ready to re-listen Eminem's chorus.
rhymes everywhere
Wutang Clan
It's a shame how dope Hiphop used to be compared to nowadays nonsense.
Mr Hypnosis
Eminems verse in this is fucking nuts.
L_R_A_START_FOX
pants split at the creases