D12

Originally formed of members Proof, Bizarre, Kuniva, Kon Artis, Bugz, and Eminem in 1996, D12 is short for The Dirty Dozen. In order to make up twelve members, each rapper had a alter-ego, which transformed into a character in its own right, most notably Eminem's Slim Shady. In 1997 D12 released their debut EP “The Underground” and began raising their profile across Detroit. As their reputation was building Eminem left to pursue his solo career, later releasing his first album, “Infinite”, in November 1996. The Detroit hip-hop duo Da Brigade, comprised of Kuniva and Denaun Porter, subsequently joined D12, after which rapper Bugz was shot and killed at a picnic. Eminem returned to serve as his replacement and the group recorded and released the full-length “Devil’s Night” in his honour.

Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and No. 2 in the UK, the record spawned the singles “Purple Pills”, “Ain’t Nuttin’ But Music”, and “Fight Music”. The album blended the playful and parodic with the serious hip-hop production that Eminem fans have come to expect, later selling over four million copies worldwide. Three years later the group issued their sophomore album “D12 World” with Dr. Dre, Eminem and Kanye West on production duties. Finding the top spot once again in the U.S., the record was led by the smash hit single “My Band”, which rose to No. 1 in Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. Featuring guest appearances from Obie Trice and B-Real, the record maintains the playful nature of its predecessor however loses some of the childlike humour.

In anticipation for the group’s third album, rapper Proof died from a gunshot wound in a Detroit club. Swift, who had been on probation, failed to attend a court appearance on the same day as Proof’s funeral and was sentence to 93 days is jail. Four years passed without any new D12 releases, however in 2011 the mixtape “Return of the Dozen, Vol. 2” found its release.