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.
Derelict Theme
D12 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I damage your neck
With the butt of the tech
Vandalous sex
Cuttin' you ear to ear
With the razor of my Gillette
You couldn't get respect
If you was a captain or a cadet
I'll battle you 50 deep
Solo artist shocker dead beat
Derelicts on the loose
Wylin' like thugs outta prison with slugs
While y'all start screaming
Like grasses in a submission
(Lay down your pot to piss in)
Blow up the house you live in
Believe me, we greedy
And often you is easy
Your whole album cheesy
Because you got platinum artists on it
Don't make it hot
We steamroll with real niggas
And that's something that you not
I'm vampin what you got
Then setting up camp at your spot
Foiling your plot
Every rhyme that you jot
I rock to the six like musty twat
A dead corpses that been cut up
And left in abandoned lots
Ya, derelicts theme
Comparing your team
To ours is a fucked up dream
The shit I done seen
Has turned me to a scandalous fiend
Sticking your peeps for cream
Gators or boots, nigga, I'm crushing your dreams
As foul as it seems
Dismantling spleens til your whole clique's
Walking funny like handicapped juggling teams
I rumble with kings
More humble with seen
Until it's time for me to kill again
Sincerely yours, the Kon Artis
[Chorus]
Ay yo
Competition of none's such
Derelicts the one must
Let the guns bust
Brigade one trust
Untouched
Martyr a mic
Slaughter your life
Runnin avenue soldiers bitch
It's water and trife
Competition ain't none such
Derelicts the one must
Let the guns bust
It's Brigade one trust
Untouched
Martyr a mic
Slaughter your life
Runnin' avenue soldiers bitch
Smarter and trife
[Bizarre]
Who's the fat bastard
Rapping that mo' master
Snorting coke that's whiter than Casper
Better run faster
I can out-smoke all of you motherfuckers
And bitch I was born with asthma
Fuck life, I'd rather track Jack Daniels
Smoke weed and rape Cockerspaniels
A peeping Tom, nigga I need Ridalin
Fuck girls
Bitch I only date senior citizens
Your grandma, nigga I'm the one that vic'd her
Next time you rush me
You better be a little bit quicker
Run your streets in the house
And make full of malt liquor
I'm lettin' you throw the first blow
And bring ten of your toughest niggas
End ya year
Like the last day of December
(But did you rape that bitch?)
I was so drunk I can't remember
I used to be in a group
We had an argument who was the hottest
Now both them niggas is dead
And I roll as a solo artist
Chorus
[Kuniva]
Look bitch you stressed out
I divide these bullets equally among your crew
And give you five so you don't feel left out
Like red the hammer
I'm nailing niggas in they spleens
Just to make walking again a sympathetic dream
Energetic schemes
Rap vandal and dismantle
Tackle MC's and wax you
Like your rap name was Candle
Grabbing a mic with no handles
Leaving you dusty
Like walking the desert in old sandals
If you weeded or drunk
Keep your heat in your trunk
We beat you to lumps
Swell you up with permanent mumps
We dangerous playa
Cuffin' my chews
Spittin the phlegm out
Getting at you whether you coming out
Or you been out
You never exempt
From this murderous attempt
I'm telling you pimp
Undeniably you are a loss
Invincible, why you trying to be a mind boss
If the Kon Artis say it then it's done
With or without a gun
Eat a track and spit out a drum
Bust one
Trust none
Playing the game of death
Take your last breath
'Til your last name is left
Chorus
The lyrics to D12's song Derelict Theme are filled with violent and aggressive language that paints a picture of the group as derelicts who are willing to do anything to come out on top. The first verse, rapped by Kon Artis, talks about how he is willing to damage someone's neck with the butt of his tech and cut their ear to ear with the razor of his Gillette. He is not seeking respect, as he knows that no matter who you are or what your background is, he will battle you with his 50 deep crew. The overall message of the song is that they are unstoppable and will do whatever it takes to be on top.
The chorus repeats the phrase "competition of none's such, derelicts the one must, let the guns bust, Brigade one trust, untouched," which emphasizes their dominance and the fact that they are willing to use violence to maintain their power. Bizarre's verse adds to the overall violence of the song, talking about how he can out smoke everyone and that he would rather drink Jack Daniels, smoke weed, and rape cocker spaniels than have a traditional life. He also makes a reference to a possible rape, saying he can't remember due to being drunk.
Kuniva's verse continues the aggressive theme, talking about dividing bullets equally among a crew and giving someone five so they don't feel left out. He is energetic and dangerous, willing to tackle MCs and wax them like a candle. The overall effect of the lyrics is to make the listener feel intimidated by the group's power and willingness to do anything to maintain their position.
Line by Line Meaning
I damage your neck
I will harm you physically
With the butt of the tech
I will use the butt of my gun to inflict injury on you
Vandalous sex
I engage in rough and violent sexual activities
Cuttin’ you ear to ear
I will slit your throat from one ear to the other
With the razor of my Gillette
I will use a Gillette razor to harm you
You couldn’t get respect
You will not be able to earn my respect
If you was a captain or a cadet
Even if you were a military officer
Granddaddy, daddy, or uncle who’s a Vietnam vet
Or if you were a grandfather, father or uncle who served in Vietnam
I’ll battle you 50 deep
I will fight you with a group of 50 people on my side
Solo artist shocker dead beat
If you’re a solo artist and not a team player, you’re bad and will fail
Derelicts on the loose
We are a group of outcasts causing chaos and destruction
Wylin’ like thugs outta prison with slugs
We are acting like dangerous criminals who just got released from prison, armed with guns (slugs)
While y’all start screaming
As you begin to panic
Like grasses in a submission
You are all easily overpowered and defeated
(Lay down your pot to piss in)
Even the small things you do with ease will become difficult for you
Blow up the house you live in
We will destroy your entire life
Believe me, we greedy
We are selfish and want everything for ourselves
And often you is easy
And you are easy to manipulate and take advantage of
Your whole album cheesy
Your entire music collection is corny and unoriginal
Because you got platinum artists on it
Even if you have famous artists featured on your album
Don’t make it hot
It does not make your album successful or 'hot'
We steamroll with real niggas
We dominate with genuine and formidable people
And that’s something that you not
Something you are not a part of
I’m vampin’ what you got
I’m stealing everything you have
Then setting up camp at your spot
And making myself at home in your place
Foiling your plot
I’m ruining any plans you have
Every rhyme that you jot
Your every attempt at creating music
I rock to the six like musty twat
I make rhythmical beats like a dirty vagina
A dead corpses that been cut up
A corpse that has been mutilated
And left in abandoned lots
And left to rot in abandoned areas
Ya, derelicts theme
Yes, we are the theme of misfits and outcasts
Comparing your team
Comparing your group
To ours is a fucked up dream
To our group is a terrible idea
The shit I done seen
The things I have witnessed
Has turned me to a scandalous fiend
Have turned me into a wickedly immoral person
Sticking your peeps for cream
Robbing your associates for money
Gators or boots, nigga, I’m crushing your dreams
Whether you aspire to own alligator-skin shoes or boots, I'm destroying your goals
As foul as it seems
As offensive as it may appear
Dismantling spleens til your whole clique’s
Destroying everyone in your group
Walking funny like handicapped juggling teams
Making them walk with a limp like a challenged circus performance
I rumble with kings
I fight with the most powerful people
More humble with seen
More respectful while in the presence of authority
Until it’s time for me to kill again
Until the next time I need to harm someone
Sincerely yours, the Kon Artis
Yours truly, Kon Artis
Ay yo
Hey
Competition of none’s such
No one can compete with us
Let the guns bust
Let's use our guns to settle the score
Brigade one trust
Our team is united and trustworthy
Untouched
Unbeatable
Martyr a mic
Winning a rap battle so thoroughly that your opponent is humiliated
Slaughter your life
End your career
Runnin avenue soldiers bitch
We are experienced street fighters
It’s water and trife
It's all meaningless and petty
Smarter and trife
More intelligent but still low-life
Who’s the fat bastard
Who is this obese guy?
Rapping that mo’ master
Who is performing rap music
Snorting coke that’s whiter than Casper
Abusing a lot of cocaine
Better run faster
You better hurry and run
I can out-smoke all of you motherfuckers
I can consume more tobacco or marijuana than anyone
And bitch I was born with asthma
And ironically, I was born with a respiratory condition
Fuck life, I’d rather track Jack Daniels
I don't value my life and would rather consume whiskey
Smoke weed and rape Cockerspaniels
I smoke marijuana and engage in grotesque sexual activities with Cocker Spaniels
A peeping Tom, nigga I need Ridalin
I'm a voyeur and have ADHD, so I require medication to control my impulses
Fuck girls
I don't respect women
Bitch I only date senior citizens
I only pursue sexual encounters with elderly people
Your grandma, nigga I’m the one that vic’d her
I had sex with your grandmother
Next time you rush me
Next time you approach me aggressively
You better be a little bit quicker
You better be prepared to move faster
Run your streets in the house
I'm taking over your territory both outside and inside your home
And make full of malt liquor
And drink all your malt liquor
I’m lettin’ you throw the first blow
I'm giving you the first opportunity to attack me
And bring ten of your toughest niggas
And bring your hardest and most capable associates with you
End ya year
Kill you
Like the last day of December
Like New Year's Eve
(But did you rape that bitch?)
Did you sexually assault that woman?
I was so drunk I can’t remember
I was so intoxicated that I cannot recall
I used to be in a group
I used to be in a musical collective
We had an argument who was the hottest
We had a debate about who was the best rapper in the group
Now both them niggas is dead
Now both of those people are deceased
And I roll as a solo artist
So now I perform as an individual
Look bitch you stressed out
Hey you, female dog, you're feeling stressed
I divide these bullets equally among your crew
I will distribute bullets to your associates
And give you five so you don’t feel left out
And I'll give you five bullets so you won't feel excluded
Like red the hammer
Like the striking end of a hammer
I’m nailing niggas in they spleens
I'm targeting people's spleens with the bullets
Just to make walking again a sympathetic dream
So that walking (after being shot) will be a painful struggle
Energetic schemes
Aggressive and cunning activities
Rap vandal and dismantle
I destroy other rappers with my rhymes
Tackle MC’s and wax you
I defeat other rappers with ease
Like your rap name was Candle
As easily as someone could blow out a candle
Grabbing a mic with no handles
Using a microphone without any grips or handles
Leaving you dusty
Leaving you defeated and humiliated
Like walking the desert in old sandals
Like your feet are getting covered in dust while walking through the desert with old and worn-out sandals
If you weeded or drunk
If you smoke marijuana or are drunk
Keep your heat in your trunk
Keep your gun locked in your car trunk
We beat you to lumps
We will harm you severely
Swell you up with permanent mumps
Leave you with permanent swelling of your face
We dangerous playa
We are dangerous, dude
Cuffin’ my chews
Holding onto my food
Spittin’ the phlegm out
Spitting out my phlegm
Getting at you whether you coming out
I'm attacking you whether you're prepared or not
Or you been out
Or if you're already out and about
You never exempt
You are never excused from these attacks
From this murderous attempt
From this violent attack
I’m telling you pimp
I'm warning you, friend
Undeniably you are a loss
You are an undeniable failure
Invincible, why you trying to be a mind boss
You're trying to control everything when you're not even invincible
If the Kon Artis say it then it’s done
If Kon Artis says something, it's final
With or without a gun
Regardless of whether or not weapons are involved
Eat a track and spit out a drum
I effortlessly produce music that is both captivating and aggressive
Bust one
Fire one round of ammunition
Trust none
Don't trust anyone
Playing the game of death
Engaging in dangerous behavior
Take your last breath
Die
‘Til your last name is left
Until your legacy or name is all that's left of you
Contributed by Asher M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Pippa and violets fun town
Best track
Curtis Lavallee
D12 FOR LYFE...........................
J. Benjamin
Goats, it's a shame they were so underrated as a rap group
Mikaila Perl
Glad to come back to this an see there are others out there still knockin this shit son, shit is cold as fuck🤘
Bilal Diaf
I love d 12
Charles Betts
Ohhhh shit what did I just find right here. I rocked d12 back like 18 years ago,when did they rap this?
Damien Dangerous
@Hayden G3 yeah was actually a Eminem diss
Hayden G3
This is from an ep from 1997 I believe. Never officially released, but it was leaked