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.
Devil's Night
D12 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I make music to make you sick of fake music
Hate music like devil worshippin Satan music
So say your prayers, your Hail Mary's and Jesuses
Take two sticks, tape 'em together and make a crucifix
Try to stop it but you cain't do it (ha ha)
A whole generation of kids blowin out their fuckin brains to this
Kurt Cobain music - students converted to 'caine users
What's your name?
[Swifty McVay]
Judas
Got my nine with six sharpshooters, now let's do this
I got niggaz that shoots to static - you don't understand
how I'm all up in you niggaz TV's like Carole Anne
I'm a poltergeist, lyrically I'm supposed to strike
Try to snatch this mic, you get cracked with Molson Ice
(Swifty get your own woman!) I want his wife
I'm the type to go to gamblin parties with trick dice
I rob casinos, slugs, eat those
You'd think it was the devil feedin you jalapenos
Now you out of the scene hoes shot at your clean clothes
My fo'-fo', prone to make you niggaz breathe wrong
[Chorus: Eminem]
It's Devils Night (da da dah, da-da da da dah)
It's Devils Night (da da dah, da-da da da dah duh da)
Cause I came back to rule this time!
It's Devils Night - cause I came back to take what's mine!
Yes it's Devils Night (da da dah, da-da da da dah)
It's Devils Night (da da dah, da-da da da dah duh da)
Cause I came back to rule this time!
It's Devils Night - cause I came back to take what's mine!
[Kon Artis]
It's like I'm on the john, tryin to shit and get no response
Constipated bitch, tell these pigs to back off!
The mind of rapist, Denaun never changes
Beat up strangers without a reason, I'm a anus
Walk the street in a "Beat It" jacket with a glove to match it
Drop the hat shit I put my head on opposite and step backwards
Walkin zombied it's ornery
Pullin armed robberies on politicians without a sense of camraderie
[Kuniva]
Yo, I can concoct the nine slot, plus I run with the best
Hop on a motorcycle, bustin wheelies over your chest
Bystanders standin by, thinkin oh what a mess
Blast through every hickie that them bitches put on your neck
What the fuck do you expect, when the slugs are dealt
And make you feel every ounce of pain that Bugz done felt
A deranged team, smokin ganja greens
This car beam'll make your fuckin head shake like tambourines
I pledge allegiance to the streets of the D
And if you think you out cold, catch a piece of this heat
And when it blast, it'll take off every piece of your [scream]
From her barettes to her cheeks to her cute little feet
[Chorus]
[Bizarre]
STOP TAKIN DRUGS!! I'm tryin
My little boy is dyin, he losin too much iron
And if I die, it won't be because I got shot
It'll be because I tied my arm in a sock and smoked rock
Takin drugs is cool, that's why I buy 'em
Shoot 'em up my ass, let your little brother try 'em
Ten years is what I'm facin
Police breakin in my house, Lil' Bow Wow in the basement
(Jermaine!) A rapist that'll bust in your mouth
I'll probably be in jail 'fore this fuckin album comes out
I'm eighteen years old, still shit in the bed
Beaten 'til I'm red, fear nothin but war and bread
It's me again, fuckin dirty jinn
So what if it burns, bitch when I stick it in
No medication, I'm out of perkasets
I lost my weed, plus my fuckin diaper's wet
[Chorus]
[Eminem]
It's Devils Night!
The lyrics to D12's Devil's Night are grim and deliver a message to the listener that the Devil's Night has returned. The lyrics are rapped by Eminem, Bizarre, Kon Artis, Kuniva and Swifty McVay. Eminem's verse is about the effects of his music on the younger generation. He makes music to make people sick of fake music and hate music like devil worshipping Satan music. His heavy metal music is blamed for converting students into cocaine users who then committed murder and suicide. Swifty McVay's verse is about his violent tendencies and how he is a poltergeist that is meant to strike. He is a criminal who robs casinos and shoots people for no apparent reason.
Kon Artis's verse compares his constipated state of mind to that of a rapist who is always beaten up but can't help himself. He is a dangerous anus and has no sense of cameraderie with politicians. Kuniva's verse is about how he can make a motorcycle jump over a person's chest and blast through hickies that women leave on necks. He pledges his allegiance to the streets of Detroit.
Bizarre's verse is about his drug addiction and how it has affected his family. He speaks about his little boy who is dying and how he buys and shoots drugs up his ass. He is facing ten years of prison and has beaten up until he turns red. He fears nothing but war and bread.
Overall, the lyrics are about the dark side of life and human nature. The verses speak of criminal activities, drug addiction, violence, and suicide. The song is meant to convey the message that the Devil's Night is back and that people need to be aware of the darker side of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I make music to make you sick of fake music
Eminem intends to create music that creates a revulsion for the artificiality of music created to suit the masses.
Hate music like devil worshippin Satan music
Eminem hates music that praises Satan, as he argues that it encourages immoral activities.
So say your prayers, your Hail Mary's and Jesuses
Eminem wants the listeners of his music to never forget their moral obligations and follow religious practices.
Take two sticks, tape 'em together and make a crucifix
Eminem insists that instead of using drugs, listeners should use their creativity to create art, like a crucifix out of two sticks and some tape.
Try to stop it but you cain't do it (ha ha)
Eminem claims that despite people trying to stop his music, it still continues to dominate the music scene.
A whole generation of kids blowin out their fuckin brains to this
Eminem criticizes the influence his music has over the vulnerable youth who take extreme measures to rebel against society's norms.
Kurt Cobain music - students converted to 'caine users
Eminem references late musician Kurt Cobain's tragic end and how his music influenced some of his fans to indulge in cocaine addiction and other harmful habits.
as soon as they heard it went out and murdered and maimed to it
Eminem suggests that the violent lyrics in his music have inspired some listeners to commit acts of violence and chaos.
Judas
Swifty McVay calls himself Judas, a biblical reference to an individual who betrayed his close friend and leader.
Got my nine with six sharpshooters, now let's do this
Swifty McVay has a gun and backup, ready to start their criminal activity.
I'm a poltergeist, lyrically I'm supposed to strike
Swifty McVay compares himself to a ghost that haunts people, claiming that his music has a similar impact on the listeners.
Try to snatch this mic, you get cracked with Molson Ice
Swifty McVay warns his critics that attempting to steal his microphone will result in physical harm, most likely by hitting them with a bottle of Molson beer.
Yo, I can concoct the nine slot, plus I run with the best
Kuniva can handle a gun and hang out with the most dangerous people.
I pledge allegiance to the streets of the D
Kuniva promises his loyalty to the rough streets of Detroit, a city where violence and crime are prevalent.
And when it blast, it'll take off every piece of your [scream]
Kuniva's gun will cause extreme harm to its target, forcing them to scream in agony and pain.
STOP TAKIN DRUGS!! I'm tryin
Bizarre urges his audience to stop taking drugs.
It'll be because I tied my arm in a sock and smoked rock
Bizarre references the harmful effects of smoking crack cocaine, implying that his addiction might eventually lead to his death.
Ten years is what I'm facin
Bizarre is sentenced to ten years in prison.
I'm eighteen years old, still shit in the bed
Bizarre reveals his disturbing personal life, implying that he suffers from fecal incontinence.
It's Devils Night
Eminem reiterates the theme of the song in the closing line, depicting the chaos and evil that surrounds the night.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DENAUN M PORTER, JEFF BASS, MARSHALL B III MATHERS, ONDRE C MOORE, RUFUS JOHNSON, RUFUS B JOHNSON, VON M CARLISLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind