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.
Thats How...
D12 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's how people
Get f***ed up
This is how it happens to you
That's how people
Get f***ed up
If you a loud mouth
And we see just
How you laying
And we peep your style out
(You a punk)
When you chilling out in
Front of your truck
And get stuck
That's how n****s
Get f***ed up
No love at home
With your in-folks
And the world just keeps
F***ing with your mental
And all these kids making fun
Of your trench coat
That's how students
Get shot up
Hating on us but
You come to our show
(F*** them n****s)
I crowd surf and you let me go
Oh no
Whip your as* when
I get off the floor
Just so you know though
That's how haters get f***ed up
When the police pull you over
And s*** and find ganja
Now every month
They checking on your piss
They getting mad 'cause
You ain't come back since
And now they sweating you
That's how P.O.'s
Get f***ed up
When your mans hook
You up with a b****
Over the phone
And when you see her
She ugly as s***
(God damn)
Now at the end of the date
She want a kiss
And some dick
That's how blind dates
Get f***ed up
Say we got a real crew
With a lot of skill
And only one n**** in our crew
Make the dollar bills
why'all fools just mad 'cause
why'all ain't got a deal
Local rappers talk too much
(Kon Artis:)
You don't like this pain
But you roll with punks
Manage to trip the alarm
And you all get stumped
Cops got AK's
why'all only got pumps
That s***'s just dumb
That's how Cruzzie
Got locked up
When your as*
want to walk in the club
But 'stead of telling you to wait
The n**** want to
Push and shove (move)
They get trampled from
The n****s you brought
So move over
That's how bouncers
Get f***ed up
When you get your guns
Outta the stash
And gather all your homies up
To go and shoot up a pad
Soon as you finished
why'all run out of gas
You better haul as*
That's how drive-bys get f***ed up
Mixing weed with the brew
Extacy and Kalu,
Gasoline fumes
Nitrous balloons
Acid tablets and magic mushrooms
That's how D-12
Get f***ed up
I like your records
But my album ain't dropped
Dr. Dre's my favorite
B**** get off his jock
Got a backstage pa**
And I need to get off
want to meet da-da-da Doc?
That's how groupies
Get tossed up
(Bizarre:)
Drop outta school
Take drugs and molest sl*ts
Got your girlfriend
Sucking on my left nut
Your parents don't like me,
But guess what (what)
'Cause Bizarre don't
Give a f***
Chokin' your wife all in
Front of your peeps
She toss a brick through
The window of your Jeep
They back together
By the end of the week
That's so sweet
Slim and Kim argue too much
Invite a h*e to your house
While your b**** is out
Now you got the dick
All up in her f***in' mouth
Pull it out
And then you bust off
On her favorite blouse
That's how Clinton got caught? up
Steal cars, wreck bars,
Got f***ed up beyond
Recognition, walk in 50
Clubs like we stars
Our mission every day is
Just to smoke bongs
And f*** b****es
That's how Runyan Ave. is cut
(Swift:)
When your life wasn't raised up right
See your mother coming home
With different n****s every night
And then you run in to
The one you don't like
So get the f*** off
That's how step-dads
Get f***ed up
This is how it happens to you
That's how people
Get f***ed up
This is how it happens to you
That's how people
Get f***ed up
This is how it happens to you
That's how people
Get f***ed up
This is how it happens to you
That's how people
Get f***ed up
The lyrics to D12's "Thats How..." are a collection of cautionary tales describing how people can get into trouble and end up "f***ed up". Each verse describes a different scenario, ranging from being a loudmouth and getting into fights, to dealing with mental health issues and school shootings, to run-ins with the police and drug use. The song delivers a message of warning to listeners, encouraging them to watch their words and actions, and avoid dangerous or reckless behavior that can have severe consequences.
The overall tone of the song is ominous and foreboding, reflecting the serious nature of the situations described in the lyrics. With a heavy beat and aggressive delivery, the verses feel urgent and urgent, like a call to action to avoid making the same mistakes as the people in the stories. The repeated refrain of "That's how people get f***ed up" acts as a warning and a reminder that actions have consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
If you a loud mouth
Trying to wild out
And we see just
How you laying
And we peep your style out
(You a punk)
When you chilling out in
Front of your truck
And get stuck
If you are trying to act tough and draw attention to yourself, we will observe your behavior and judge you as weak. When you are trying to show off in front of your truck and end up in trouble, this is a consequence of your actions.
No love at home
With your in-folks
And the world just keeps
F***ing with your mental
And all these kids making fun
Of your trench coat
When you lack love and support from your family and constantly face challenges from the world, it can affect your mental health. Being bullied and humiliated by your peers because of your appearance is one way to get pushed to your limit.
Hating on us but
You come to our show
(F*** them n****s)
I crowd surf and you let me go
Oh no
Whip your as* when
I get off the floor
Just so you know though
When you show hatred towards us but still attend our concert, we will call you out and humiliate you. You pretended to enjoy our music by letting me crowd-surf, but as soon as I got off the floor, I beat you up to show you the consequences of your actions.
When the police pull you over
And s*** and find ganja
Now every month
They checking on your piss
They getting mad 'cause
You ain't come back since
And now they sweating you
Getting caught with drugs by the police can lead to frequent random drug tests that can be a hassle. The inconvenience can make you avoid the tests, which in turn, angers the authorities, and they start to hound you and question your whereabouts.
When your mans hook
You up with a b****
Over the phone
And when you see her
She ugly as s***
(God damn)
Now at the end of the date
She want a kiss
And some dick
When your friend sets you up with someone over the phone, it's a possibility that they might not be as attractive as they sound. Your date might try to force themselves upon you even if you don't find them attractive.
Say we got a real crew
With a lot of skill
And only one n**** in our crew
Make the dollar bills
why'all fools just mad 'cause
why'all ain't got a deal
Local rappers talk too much
(Kon Artis:)
You don't like this pain
But you roll with punks
Manage to trip the alarm
And you all get stumped
Cops got AK's
why'all only got pumps
That s***'s just dumb
We claim to be a talented group of rappers, but only one of us has signed a deal, which makes our peers envious. Local rappers talk too much and don't have the skill to make it. You don't like being called out for your mediocre skills but continue to associate with less-talented individuals. When you make an attempt at stealing something and trip the alarm, you and your associates get caught because you don't have the firepower to deal with law enforcement.
When your as*
want to walk in the club
But 'stead of telling you to wait
The n**** want to
Push and shove (move)
They get trampled from
The n****s you brought
So move over
When the bouncer physically pushes you aside and causes a confrontation, the people you brought to the club will quickly come to your defense and crush the bouncers. Bouncers should be respectful to their patrons, and not try to exercise their power with force.
When you get your guns
Outta the stash
And gather all your homies up
To go and shoot up a pad
Soon as you finished
why'all run out of gas
You better haul as*
When you plan a drive-by shooting, but fail to plan for gas, it can leave you stranded and at the mercy of law enforcement. You better haul as* and flee the scene to avoid being caught.
Mixing weed with the brew
Extacy and Kalu,
Gasoline fumes
Nitrous balloons
Acid tablets and magic mushrooms
Mixing various drugs and alcohol can cause severe physical and mental harm. Using substances such as weed, extasy, kalu, gasoline fumes, nitrous balloons, acid tablets and magic mushrooms together can be dangerous and lead to unexpected consequences.
I like your records
But my album ain't dropped
Dr. Dre's my favorite
B**** get off his jock
Got a backstage pa**
And I need to get off
want to meet da-da-da Doc?
I enjoy your music, but my album hasn't been released yet. Dr. Dre is my favorite artist, so stop comparing me to him. I have back stage pass, and I want to leave, so can you stop bothering me, please?
Drop outta school
Take drugs and molest sl*ts
Got your girlfriend
Sucking on my left nut
Your parents don't like me,
But guess what (what)
'Cause Bizarre don't
Give a f***
Dropping out of school and using drugs can lead to immoral actions such as sexually assaulting women. Someone's significant other may cheat on them, and in this case, Bizarre seems to be the person seducing the girlfriend. Although others may have doubts about his behavior, he doesn't care.
Chokin' your wife all in
Front of your peeps
She toss a brick through
The window of your Jeep
They back together
By the end of the week
That's so sweet
Being abusive towards your spouse in front of loved ones is disgusting behavior. The wife retaliates by breaking the husband's Jeep's window. Amazingly, they got back together within a week, which isn't an ideal situation, but some people might see it as romantic.
Slim and Kim argue too much
Invite a h*e to your house
While your b**** is out
Now you got the dick
All up in her f***in' mouth
Pull it out
And then you bust off
On her favorite blouse
Slim and Kim have relationship issues that lead Slim to invite a sex worker over while Kim is out. During their time together, Slim engages in sexual activities with the sex worker and disrespects Kim when he gets his bodily fluids all over her favorite blouse.
Steal cars, wreck bars,
Got f***ed up beyond
Recognition, walk in 50
Clubs like we stars
Our mission every day is
Just to smoke bongs
And f*** b****es
Stealing cars, causing public disturbance by trashing bars and drinking too much can lead to permanent damage that change their appearance. They don't care about the damage they cause and seem to enjoy living life on the edge, smoking marijuana and engaging in sexual activities.
When your life wasn't raised up right
See your mother coming home
With different n****s every night
And then you run in to
The one you don't like
So get the f*** off
Growing up with little parenting can lead to a difficult childhood. Your mother coming home with different men every night is not ideal. If you happen to run into someone you don't want to see, it's best to avoid them altogether.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DE SHAUN DUPREE HOLTON, DENAUN M PORTER, MARSHALL B III MATHERS, ONDRE C MOORE, RUFUS JOHNSON, RUFUS B JOHNSON, VON M CARLISLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind