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.
Welcome to D12 World
D12 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When D12 rock this summer it's over with.
All these bitches and all these hoes,
What the fuck you looking at me for? (You, nigga!).
Oh yeah, you like my chain, want to get your skinny ass up in the Range.
I like my bitches raspy and nasty,
I like a fat and nasty bitch named Ashley
I slide you dope without no procrastination,
And you can watch me fuck up your imagination.
I'm always getting drunk, and I fiend to smack hoes,
I mean it, I leave them screamin' like pteorodactyls.
This is our world
[Kuniva]
We'd love to smack you,
Hot lead flying with debris and schrapnel.
Rippin' you to shreads, fuckin' up your tattoo.
Break into your crib, take your records and plaques too.
[Kon Artis]
D12 is, that's who!
Got you limpin'.
Still poppin' somethin' purple with a bottle of gin bitch!
I fuck up your kinship, I lie in this shit.
Peep, I stole your mom's jeep and crashed into my street.
[Proof]
Crazy, deranged, of course we Shady's gang,
Of course we wear clothes with holes and blood stains.
No doubt, we shoot badges, born with ski masks.
Chew on shrooms, drink booze, and pee acid.
[Chorus]
Welcome to D12 World!
Where you can get anything from sex, X, to girls.
Welcome to D12 World!
Prostitutes and guns, so fuck the real world.
Welcome to D12 World!
(Kon Artis Singing)
Welcome to D12 World!
[Kuniva]
Hey yo
Niggas be talkin' shit, but they layin' slugs? now.
I graduated from techs, I grip a pump now.
I used to be nice, but nice don't cut it.
Now I over they wig, if they don't uppen my budget.
[Bizarre]
Them D12 niggas, they be quick to blast.
I take my shower cap off, and whup your ass.
Steppin' to us, you can't be the smartest,
Cause you'll get dropped like an Aftermath artist.
[Swift]
They catch me mingling by a bitch with class,
When she turn I'll be sprinkling some shit in her glass.
What part of this you can't understand?
I'll humiliate a man, worse then making a band.
[Kuniva]
Don't be mistakin' that man
[Kon Artist]
He'll invite you over
[Swift]
Real fast, and pass your ass a glass of ebola.
[Kon Artis]
I've been doing this for a minute,
And I'm starting to see my little brother (?brother's name prob?)
Look more like a star then me.
That's why I just started workin' out.
Man, this shit ain't workin' out.
The lyrics of D12's song D12 World depict the group's penchant for violence and debauchery. The opening lines "Fuck the silly shit, I pull a mac milli quick, when D12 rock this summer it's over with" highlight their willingness to resort to guns at even the slightest provocation. They are unapologetic about their lifestyle, which includes drugs, guns, and promiscuous women. The lyrics of the song describe their desire for raspy and nasty women, with Kuniva proclaiming his willingness to "rip you to shreds” and "f**k up your tattoo." The chorus of the song is an invitation to their world of prostitutes and guns, in which they are in control.
The verses of the song are filled with braggadocio, with each member trying to outdo the other in terms of their violent tendencies. They boast about their ability to humiliate men and beat them up, and their readiness to betray their friends and family for their own gain. The song is a commentary on the rap culture at the time, which glorified violence and misogyny.
Line by Line Meaning
Fuck the silly shit, I pull a mac milli quick,
I don't waste any time and act impulsively, resorting to violence if necessary.
When D12 rock this summer it's over with.
We're so confident in our abilities as a group that we know we'll blow up the music scene this summer.
All these bitches and all these hoes,
There are a lot of women around and we don't care about them in any way other than superficially.
What the fuck you looking at me for? (You, nigga!).
I feel threatened and want to confront whoever is looking at me.
Oh yeah, you like my chain, want to get your skinny ass up in the Range.
You admire my wealth and status and want to associate yourself with me in some way.
I like my bitches raspy and nasty,
I prefer women who are coarse and vulgar.
I like a fat and nasty bitch named Ashley
Specifically, I enjoy the company of a particular woman named Ashley who fits this description.
I slide you dope without no procrastination,
I efficiently provide you with drugs without delay.
And you can watch me fuck up your imagination.
I'll make you hallucinate in a way that is pleasureable.
I'm always getting drunk, and I fiend to smack hoes,
I'm always intoxicated and have a strong desire to physically assault women.
I mean it, I leave them screamin' like pteorodactyls.
I'm so aggressive that the women I attack scream in a way that is reminiscent of prehistoric flying reptiles.
This is our world
We are the ones in power and control this space.
We'd love to smack you,
We have a strong desire to physically assault you.
Hot lead flying with debris and schrapnel.
We're shooting bullets at you and there will be collateral damage.
Rippin' you to shreads, fuckin' up your tattoo.
We'll tear you apart and destroy any tattoos you might have.
Break into your crib, take your records and plaques too.
We'll break into your home and steal your music achievements as well as any other valuables.
D12 is, that's who!
We are the group known as D12 and we want everyone to know it.
Got you limpin'.
We've hurt you and you're now walking with a limp.
Still poppin' somethin' purple with a bottle of gin bitch!
We're still drinking and doing drugs, regardless of any consequences.
I fuck up your kinship, I lie in this shit.
I'm causing issues within your family and I'm completely okay with it.
Peep, I stole your mom's jeep and crashed into my street.
I'm proud to admit that I stole your mother's car and crashed it for fun.
Crazy, deranged, of course we Shady's gang,
We're unstable and clearly part of Eminem's group, Shady's gang.
Of course we wear clothes with holes and blood stains.
Our clothes are distressed and covered in blood, further highlighting our violent tendencies.
No doubt, we shoot badges, born with ski masks.
Without question, we have fired at police officers while wearing ski masks.
Chew on shrooms, drink booze, and pee acid.
We are consuming psychedelic mushrooms, alcohol, and other substances that are leading to abnormal bodily processes.
Welcome to D12 World!
You have entered our domain: D12 World.
Where you can get anything from sex, X, to girls.
We can provide you with anything ranging from sexual activity to drugs to women.
Prostitutes and guns, so fuck the real world.
We have access to both sexual workers and weapons, making the outside world seem less important and less of a threat.
(Kon Artis Singing)
This line is a vocalization rather than a lyric.
Hey yo
A common phrase used to gain someone's attention.
Niggas be talkin' shit, but they layin' slugs? now.
People often talk a big game but don't actually follow through with their threats.
I graduated from techs, I grip a pump now.
I have moved on from my technical education and now physically carry a gun.
I used to be nice, but nice don't cut it.
I used to be friendly and easy-going, but that's not enough in our world.
Now I over they wig, if they don't uppen my budget.
Now I'll threaten and intimidate someone if they don't pay me what I want.
Them D12 niggas, they be quick to blast.
We are known for being quick to use firearms and violence.
I take my shower cap off, and whup your ass.
I'm so tough that I can beat someone up even when wearing something as ridiculous as a shower cap.
Steppin' to us, you can't be the smartest,
If you try to challenge or confront us, you can't possibly be intelligent or sensible.
Cause you'll get dropped like an Aftermath artist.
Just as Dr. Dre can drop an artist from his record label, we can easily and quickly dispose of anyone who messes with us.
They catch me mingling by a bitch with class,
People see me socializing with a woman who is sophisticated or high-class.
When she turn I'll be sprinkling some shit in her glass.
When she's not looking, I'll add some sort of substance to her drink without her knowledge or consent.
What part of this you can't understand?
I'm speaking clearly and directly, so there should be no confusion about my intentions or motives.
I'll humiliate a man, worse then making a band.
I'm capable of embarrassing, degrading, or shaming someone in a way that's more severe than the television show, 'Making the Band.'
Don't be mistakin' that man
Don't misunderstand or underestimate what I'm capable of.
He'll invite you over
He'll appear friendly and welcoming.
Real fast, and pass your ass a glass of ebola.
However, he will quickly do something that could cause harm or danger, such as giving you a glass of the deadly virus, Ebola.
I've been doing this for a minute,
I've been involved in this lifestyle or career for a significant amount of time.
And I'm starting to see my little brother (?brother's name prob?)
I'm starting to notice my younger sibling resembling me or showing similar tendencies and behaviors.
Look more like a star then me.
My sibling is becoming more successful or noticeable than I am.
That's why I just started workin' out.
To compensate for my feelings of inadequacy, I have begun exercising or training to improve my physical appearance or abilities.
Man, this shit ain't workin' out.
Despite my efforts, I'm not seeing any significant progress or changes.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DE SHAUN DUPREE HOLTON, DENAUN M PORTER, KANYE WEST, ONDRE C MOORE, RUFUS JOHNSON, RUFUS B JOHNSON, VON M CARLISLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind