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.
We Back
D12 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pay attention)
(Explosion Sound)
[Intro: DJ Young Mase]
And just like that mixtape shit is now
Official DJ Young Mace a.k.a Mr Detroit City
Dozen Kuniva, Big Proof, Marshall Mathers
Bizarre, Kon Artist, Swif McVay
[Hook] We we we we we we we we back
(Bizarre D12 Muthafucka is D12 muthafucka)
Repeat 2x
[Verse 1: Swifty]
I defined up my ounces in vietnam in houses
Just the past time, "go ask about me in the county I'm mentally destructed, and
Untouched I'm not lying I'll snipe you faster than a nigga that's been caught wired I start processes minalical alenal, freeze mixed wit vykinen and make a hell of addidoe speak unrelevent leave enough medicine that can stop me from swelling your mouths, worse than telekents I can sock whores that's wit enough force to crack the back of their, skeletons fuck having remarshalled, be better off being suicidal and four fitten look it how's your horseman but not they final organs, snitches are foe and when they see me "folks are quick to point their fingers
At me faster than ET, my felonies be changing wit the weather I'll be the nigger blacker than this klan (Gun Clicks) Black panthers put together. (Gunshot)
[Hook] We we we we we we we we back
(Bizarre D12 Muthafucka is D12 muthafucka)
Repeat 2x
(Ha ha ha)
[Verse 2: Bizarre]
Back in the studio back on the block back in "Saint Andrews" got them hammers cocked nigga I don't get shot I do the shooting (Explosion)
Gang memember I do all the recruiting, ball to y'all fall out there in Reno blowing ten thousand motor's in the casino, they say my group was running on some IRS shit that's what happens, when five niggas sell brick when it comes to beefing we don't need Marshall this ain't arben Nausicaa call me Tamara Marshall come on ya block and get loose shoot niggas for a triple fat goose this one's for "Proof" this is for my dog's this is for my people's this is for them niggas wit carties and the regals (Sound background) and it might be you if you ever, ever disrespect my crew
(The Aphilliates nigga)
[Hook] We we we we we we we we back
(Bizarre D12 Muthafucka is D12 muthafucka)
Repeat 2x
[Verse 3: Kuniva]
Ya boy's are back in the building yeah we back on the map back to doin them drugs, packing the mac and the AK if you wanna get 'em up let's make hap wit a scrap niggas be running their trap until the hammer go clap. (Explosion)
Ya boy's are back in the building yeah we back on the map back to doin' them drugs packing the man and the AK if you wanna get 'em up let's make it hap wit a scrap niggas be running their trap until the hammer go clap bloody you up like a co-text leave ya face big like rolace my guns carry, 21 like three feet no checks the lay back pumpin james brown the big payback I don't play that like pat so don't say jack, shit is real in this killing field where's ya game face fuck you your whole family and your name's sake, sat back and absurve these little clown's like they runnin' this town like we don't get down my crib I got plag's that's hanging all around the only plag you got is hanging in your mouth's, you're not like us a million fans oversee's we can leave or we can come back wit a hundred g's we back
[Hook] We we we we we we we we back
(Bizarre D12 Muthafucka is D12 muthafucka)
Repeat 2x
[Outro - DJ Young Mase]
The dozen they been all over the country, oversee's nigga's done layed over nigga but now we back the street's is ours, lay back we never left nigga's you know what time this is return of the dozen mixtape, "posted by the general the fuck y'all wanna do now all y'all hatin' ass nigga's get ya thongs ready we back D12. (Explosion)
The song "We Back" by D12 is a return to the music scene by the group after a hiatus. The song starts off with a DJ announcing the members of the group namely Kuniva, Big Proof, Marshall Mathers, Bizarre, Kon Artist, and Swif Mcvay. The hook of the song "We we we we we we we we back" conveys the message that the group is back and ready to take over the music industry. In the first verse, Swifty talks about his past experiences and how he is not to be messed with. He further speaks about his ability to take on anyone with his strength. In the second verse, Bizarre raps about his experiences in "Saint Andrews" and how he is always prepared to take any threats out. In the last verse, Kuniva states how the group is back and ready to take on anyone who dares to stand in their way.
The lyrics of the song convey a message of defiance and strength after their return. The group's confidence is evident in the way they rap about their experiences and how they are not to be messed with. The song is also a show of solidarity between the members of the group. They are back together and ready to conquer the music scene.
Line by Line Meaning
(Explosion Sound)
The start of the song with an explosion sound.
And just like that mixtape shit is now Official DJ Young Mase a.k.a Mr Detroit City You know what time this is return of the Dozen Kuniva, Big Proof, Marshall Mathers Bizarre, Kon Artist, Swif McVay
DJ Young Mase introduces the song by announcing the comeback of D12, the rap group consisting of Kuniva, Big Proof, Marshall Mathers, Bizarre, Kon Artist, and Swif McVay.
We we we we we we we we back (Bizarre D12 Muthafucka is D12 muthafucka) Repeat 2x
The hook of the song emphasizing their comeback and the presence of Bizarre, a member of D12.
I defined up my ounces in vietnam in houses Just the past time, "go ask about me in the county I'm mentally destructed, and Untouched I'm not lying I'll snipe you faster than a nigga that's been caught wired I start processes minalical alenal, freeze mixed wit vykinen and make a hell of addidoe speak unrelevent leave enough medicine that can stop me from swelling your mouths, worse than telekents I can sock whores that's wit enough force to crack the back of their, skeletons fuck having remarshalled, be better off being suicidal and four fitten look it how's your horseman but not they final organs, snitches are foe and when they see me "folks are quick to point their fingers At me faster than ET, my felonies be changing wit the weather I'll be the nigger blacker than this klan (Gun Clicks) Black panthers put together. (Gunshot)
Swifty boasts about his skills and past experience, describes himself as both mentally unstable and deadly accurate, and disses snitches, implying that he is more powerful than the KKK and black panthers together.
Back in the studio back on the block back in "Saint Andrews" got them hammers cocked nigga I don't get shot I do the shooting (Explosion) Gang memember I do all the recruiting, ball to y'all fall out there in Reno blowing ten thousand motor's in the casino, they say my group was running on some IRS shit that's what happens, when five niggas sell brick when it comes to beefing we don't need Marshall this ain't arben Nausicaa call me Tamara Marshall come on ya block and get loose shoot niggas for a triple fat goose this one's for "Proof" this is for my dog's this is for my people's this is for them niggas wit carties and the regals (Sound background) and it might be you if you ever, ever disrespect my crew (The Aphilliates nigga)
Bizarre recalls his experiences and involvement with crime, running a group that the IRS suspected of tax evasion due to drug dealing, taking a dig at Marshall's rap role in gangsta conflicts, and pays tribute to Proof and his crew members.
Ya boy's are back in the building yeah we back on the map back to doin them drugs, packing the mac and the AK if you wanna get 'em up let's make hap wit a scrap niggas be running their trap until the hammer go clap. (Explosion) Ya boy's are back in the building yeah we back on the map back to doin' them drugs packing the man and the AK if you wanna get 'em up let's make it hap wit a scrap niggas be running their trap until the hammer go clap bloody you up like a co-text leave ya face big like rolace my guns carry, 21 like three feet no checks the lay back pumpin james brown the big payback I don't play that like pat so don't say jack, shit is real in this killing field where's ya game face fuck you your whole family and your name's sake, sat back and absurve these little clown's like they runnin' this town like we don't get down my crib I got plag's that's hanging all around the only plag you got is hanging in your mouth's, you're not like us a million fans oversee's we can leave or we can come back wit a hundred g's we back
Kuniva announces the return of D12 and their disregard for law and order, their pride in carrying weapons, and their confident attitude of being superior to others with a million fans worldwide.
The dozen they been all over the country, oversee's nigga's done layed over nigga but now we back the street's is ours, lay back we never left nigga's you know what time this is return of the dozen mixtape, "posted by the general the fuck y'all wanna do now all y'all hatin' ass nigga's get ya thongs ready we back D12. (Explosion)
DJ Young Mase concludes the song by declaring D12's triumphant comeback, laying claim to the streets, and issuing a challenge to their haters, ending with another explosion sound.
Contributed by Isaac S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
JUNIOR420r World
2022 couldn't handle D12. The world is to fuckin soft. Would be awesome though 😎
Underground Rap Bars
💯
EKUL 666
You're 100% right
luie
You're so right I swear ppl nowadays r so fcking sensitive 🙄
Der Sven
Absolute Legends! They were my education. Forever D12!
willmofo313
I wish this was official! I feel cheated without another proper D12 album. #BigProofForever
Matt
Heard they got a pretty much completed album that was never released after Proofs death.
I bet they could honour Proof tho by creating a Hologram of Proof possibly like they did for Tupac’s concert performance?
Could remix a couple Proof lyrics if need be like Biggies last Duets album, or Em could write in Proofs style for a new verse or two and use Proofs voice/words from his song catelog (or Rapper Son doing it) idk?
Could dedicate the album to Proof and his family, with their ok or blessing obviously.
A final D12 album would only add to Proof and D12’s Legacy, etc.
Fans world wide would support it likely.
…. Or not, but I’m sure it would be huge news etc.
Gerd Müller
D12 listing 2022...maybe they Do rly new shit
Dan Rowlands
@TALKSICK CHANNEL talkin shhh1t is right nothing official about it .... It's all old stuff
TALKSICK CHANNEL
UUUHHHH THIS IS PRETTY OFFICAL 🤦♂️