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===Natas===
===Natas===
A rivalry with a fellow Detroit-based group known as [[Natas (group)|Natas]] began in the late 1990s, when D12 opened for [[Lil' Kim]] at her Detroit show. It is alleged that Natas band member [[Esham]] Smith was attacked by a group of D12 associates after he was invited onstage and subsequently out performed them. Initially, D12 member Eminem was on good terms with Natas, but the two had a falling out when he criticized Esham's second album. In speaking with Murder Dog, Esham responded to D12 calling them "the Village People of rap," Eminem "a super bitch," and making reference to Eminem's daughter, Hailie, being in a coma, on the track "Chemical Imbalance". D12, in turn, responded with the song "Instigator", dissing Natas, while Proof made 2 diss tracks aimed specifically at Esham, "Every Sucker Has A Moment" and "Uh Huh", though the latter was not released.<ref>[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Music/Esham?from=Main.Esham Esham - Television Tropes & Idioms]</ref>
A rivalry with a fellow Detroit-based group known as [[Natas (group)|Natas]] began in the late 1990s, when D12 opened for [[Lil' Kim]] at her Detroit show. It is alleged that Natas band member [[Esham]] Smith was attacked by a group of D12 associates after he was invited onstage and subsequently out performed them. Initially, D12 member Eminem was on good terms with Natas, but the two had a falling out when he criticized Esham's second album. In speaking with Murder Dog, Esham responded to D12 calling them "the Village People of rap," Eminem "a super bitch," and making reference to Eminem's daughter, Hailie, being in a coma, on the track "Chemical Imbalance". D12, in turn, responded with the song "Instigator", dissing Natas, while Proof made 2 diss tracks aimed specifically at Esham, "Every Sucker Has A Moment" and "Uh Huh", though the latter was not released.<ref>[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Music/Esham?from=Main.Esham Esham - Television Tropes & Idioms]</ref>
Both sides tried to make amends prior to joining the [[Warped Tour]] 2001. However a fight was provoked, after Esham allegedly threw items at D12's tour bus. Smith, sustained a broken nose, bruised eardrum, a temporary loss of hearing, and multiple cuts and bruises, according his label's spokeswoman. Natas member [[Mastamind]] sustained multiple cuts and bruises. Both groups were removed from the Warped Tour line up, and banned from ever performing at the festival again.<ref>Feud with Rap group Ntas (Rollingstone.com)[http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/d12-booted-from-warped-20010806] Retrieved 2012-02-23</ref>
Both sides tried to make amends prior to joining the [[Warped Tour]] 2001. However a fight was provoked, after Esham allegedly threw items at D12's tour bus. Smith sustained a broken nose, bruised eardrum, a temporary loss of hearing, and multiple cuts and bruises, according his label's spokeswoman. Natas member [[Mastamind]] sustained multiple cuts and bruises. Both groups were removed from the Warped Tour line up, and banned from ever performing at the festival again.<ref>Feud with Rap group Ntas (Rollingstone.com)[http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/d12-booted-from-warped-20010806] Retrieved 2012-02-23</ref>


===Royce da 5'9"===
===Royce da 5'9"===

Revision as of 16:27, 15 April 2013

This article is about an American hip-hop group. For other uses, see D12 (disambiguation).
D12
Also known asThe Dirty Dozen
OriginDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
GenresHip hop, hardcore hip hop, horrorcore
Years active1996–present
LabelsShady
Websited12world.com

D12, an initialism for The Dirty Dozen, is an American hip hop group from Detroit, Michigan. D12 has had chart-topping albums in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.[1] D12 was formed in 1996, and achieved mainstream success after Eminem rose to international fame.[2] D12 released the album Devil's Night in 2001 and D12 World in 2004, spawning numerous hits such as "Fight Music", "Purple Pills", "My Band", "How Come" and "Shit on You" throughout that period. Since 2006, Eminem's hiatus and the death of the member Proof resulted in them being less active in subsequent years.

History

Early career

In order to make up the dozen, it was decided the six members at the time would each create an alter-ego. Proof's was Dirty Harry, Bizarre's was Peter S. Bizarre, Kuniva's was Hannz G. (which later became Rondell Beene), Kon Artis's was Mr. Porter, Bugz' was Robert Beck and Eminem created the famous character Slim Shady.

In 1997, they released their debut album, The Underground EP, which was recorded between 1996 and 1997. In 1997 and through 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 called 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.

D12 went through many changes during the early days even becoming temporarily inactive when, after being heard by Dr. Dre, Eminem left to pursue a solo career. Around the time of Eminem's first record deal, Proof attempted to bring new life to D12. He managed to recruit local Detroit hip hop duo Da Brigade, which was composed of Kuniva, a local MC, and Denaun Porter, a longtime friend of Eminem and Proof. At the time, Porter was the group's producer and later produced Eminem's first album Infinite, but was persuaded by his partner Kuniva to join him in the group as an artist. Later the group was joined by Bugz and needing one more member, Bugz introduced his long time friend Swift, who at the time was a member of rap duo Da Rabeez.[citation needed]

Death of Bugz

Prior to a show in Detroit, Bugz attended a picnic at which an incident took place that led to his fatal assault. An argument with a man over a water-pistol fight escalated, the man went to his SUV to retrieve a firearm which he then fired in Bugz's direction. He was shot four times as well as being hit by the assailant's vehicle as he fled the scene. The incident, on May 21, 1999, was captured on video and shown later that day on local news.

Members of the group were shaken by the tragic incident, darkening the mood within the collective. One of his final acts had been to request that Swift join the group.[3] Following the death of Bugz, Eminem volunteered as replacement in order to fulfill the group's forthcoming obligations. This led to Eminem eventually rejoining the group.[4]

In memory of Bugz, the group recorded the track "Good Die Young" on their second album D12 World. The album also included a song titled "Bugz '97", which was a 1997 recording of Bugz, originally from the song "Desperados". Five members of D12 bear a tattoo of his name somewhere on their bodies in remembrance of him. The group recorded their first LP Devil's Night in his memory. Eminem's third album The Marshall Mathers LP is also dedicated to Bugz.

Success

The group has released two albums, Devil's Night and D12 World. Both albums debuted at number one on the Billboard music charts in the U.S. and topped the charts in many other countries. The two albums' hit singles included "Purple Pills", "Fight Music", "My Band", and "How Come".

In August 2001, D12 and Esham were kicked off the Warped Tour after members of the group allegedly 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.[5][6]

The group was often overshadowed by Eminem's massive success, and toured without him for the second album while Eminem was busy recording Encore. Although shadowed by Eminem's success, other members Bizarre and Proof managed to prevail with mildly successful solo careers with the releases of Hannicap Circus and Searching for Jerry Garcia in 2005. D12 (minus Eminem) appeared on Tech N9ne's 2002 album entitled Absolute Power on the track "She-Devil". They also decided that Eminem would not be as prominent on their upcoming third album, which remains evident even after Proof's death. Their third album is estimated to be 70% completed without any input from Eminem. However, in June 2009, Eminem confirmed he was also working hard on the group's 3rd studio album on an announcement made on Rap city during an interview with Eminem and Denaun Porter.[7] The group recorded a song for Eminem's album Recovery titled "Hit me With Your Best Shot," but it was not featured on the official album.[8]

Death of Proof

Main article: Proof (rapper)

On April 11, 2006, Proof died from a gunshot wound at a club in Detroit, after fatally shooting Keith Bender, Jr., following an argument over a game of pool. Proof was then shot by the bouncer Mario Etheridge, Bender's cousin. At St. John Health's Conner Creek Campus, he was pronounced dead on arrival shortly thereafter.[9] He was buried on April 19 in The Fellowship Chapel, Detroit, to a full house of 2,660 with thousands mourning outside.[10]

Swift's incarceration

Swift was arrested in Novi, Michigan on April 21, 2006, after failing to appear in court. It was due to his attendance as an honorary pallbearer at the funeral of group member Proof. Already on probation for a DUI offence, for which he'd served two days in October 2005, he was sentenced by District Court Judge Brian MacKenzie to 93 days in jail for violating the terms of the probation. It resulted in the stalling of recording for D12's third album. Following his release, work commenced on the album.

Return of the Dozen mixtapes

On May 21, 2008, after 4 years drought and the passing of Proof, D12 released a new mixtape, Return of the Dozen Vol. 1. The mixtape was designed to get D12 back on their feet, in preparation for new possible content. The mixtape lacked appearance from Eminem (who was working on his solo album, Relapse). It contains several guest features from rappers such as Royce da 5'9" (whom they had a feud with) and King Gordy. Some tracks were solo performances from a D12 member, such "If You Want It" by Kuniva, in a similar way to how Eminem performed "Girls" from Devil's Night.[11]

D12 released their mixtape Return of the Dozen Vol. 2 on April 12, 2011, which featured Fuzz Scoota. Eminem was only present on one track throughout the whole mixtape, though he wasn't present at all in the previous one. Due to Eminem being on tour for his album Recovery and because of Mr. Porter being his current hype man there are were four active members of D12 at the time (Bizarre, Kuniva, Fuzz and Swift). The others, while not currently active, were still members of D12. In a video posted on YouTube by Eminem & Royce da 5'9" on June 13, 2011, Eminem stated that he was back in the studio with D12 after not being a very active member for nearly three years.[12] D12 performed at the Kanrocksas Music Festival on August 5, 2011.[13]

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 St. Andrew's Hall in Detroit, Michigan, even though the album was released months earlier on June 19, 2001.[14]


Fuzz Scoota was one of the original members of D12 but left in 1999. He then later joined back with D12 on April 7, 2011.[15]

Bizarre and Mr. Porter's departure

In 2012, Bizarre left the group, citing creative differences.[16]

On March 24, 2012, Mr. Porter announced that he had left D12 via a series of tweets.[17] In the Twitter posts, he said that he wanted to focus on being a solo artist, but clarified that holds no animosity toward other members of the group. The group now currently has only four members.

Future

While promoting his recent mixtape, Kuniva was interviewed in August 2012 about the group's status. He replied that it's "not over, we're still coming." [18] He went on to state that D12 had been back in the studio as a whole.

On 26th January 2013, former D12 member Mr. Porter was asked on Twitter about a possible new D12 album. He responded "Not happening bro sorry". This suggests that rumours of a third D12 album are false, or it is simply a clarification that he will not appear on the album. [19]

Feuds

Natas

A rivalry with a fellow Detroit-based group known as Natas began in the late 1990s, when D12 opened for Lil' Kim at her Detroit show. It is alleged that Natas band member Esham Smith was attacked by a group of D12 associates after he was invited onstage and subsequently out performed them. Initially, D12 member Eminem was on good terms with Natas, but the two had a falling out when he criticized Esham's second album. In speaking with Murder Dog, Esham responded to D12 calling them "the Village People of rap," Eminem "a super bitch," and making reference to Eminem's daughter, Hailie, being in a coma, on the track "Chemical Imbalance". D12, in turn, responded with the song "Instigator", dissing Natas, while Proof made 2 diss tracks aimed specifically at Esham, "Every Sucker Has A Moment" and "Uh Huh", though the latter was not released.[20] Both sides tried to make amends prior to joining the Warped Tour 2001. However a fight was provoked, after Esham allegedly threw items at D12's tour bus. Smith sustained a broken nose, bruised eardrum, a temporary loss of hearing, and multiple cuts and bruises, according his label's spokeswoman. Natas member Mastamind sustained multiple cuts and bruises. Both groups were removed from the Warped Tour line up, and banned from ever performing at the festival again.[21]

Royce da 5'9"

When first signed to Aftermath entertainment, Eminem was not on good terms with the rest of D12, causing him to initially only focus on furthering the career of his Bad Meets Evil band mate Royce da 5'9". Royce performed on Eminem's first solo album the Slim Shady LP, and acted as his hypeman for the first weeks of his début tour. Eminem eventually reconciled with D12, and also began giving time to establishing their career. This caused a number of projects Royce had planned with Eminem, to be postponed indefinitely. In protest, he resigned as Eminem's hypeman, with the position being taken up by Proof. D12 saw this as a betrayal to Eminem, as the resignation came at the awkward time of halfway through his first tour. This resulted in an immediate falling out between Royce da 5'9" and D12, with a drawn-out, public rivalry between the rapper and five of the six members ensuing.[22] Royce releasing three diss tracks aimed at the group. The first diss track, "Shit On You", was recorded over D12's Shit On You instrumental' and mainly attacked group member Bizarre. "Malcolm X" was the second diss track, which featured Tré Little. D12 responded with "Smack Down" which was recorded over 50 Cent's "Back Down" instrumental. Proof also recorded a diss track entitled "Many Men". This was recorded over 50 Cent's "Many Men (Wish Death)" instrumental. Proof later released another diss with The Purple Gang called "Beef Is Ova". Royce responded with his third diss track, which was recorded over 50 Cent's "In Da Club" instrumental titled "Death Day". In the Summer of 2003, D12 member Proof confronted Royce da 5'9" outside a club in Detroit. Violence erupted between the rappers' entourage, leading to the Police being called, and Proof and Royce's arrest. The two were detained overnight in adjacent cells where they talked out their differences and ended the feud.[23] A few years later Royce would feature on D12's mixtape, Return Of the Dozen, as well as on the line-up of their following tour of Europe and Canada.

Canibus

During the time Eminem and Mr. Porter started recording Recovery the rest of D12 were featured on a diss song towards Eminem with rapper Canibus, who had already had a feud with Eminem off his new record Melatonin Magik which was called "Air Strike (Pop Killer)". Canibus name-dropped Eminem's long time deceased friend Proof, Canibus said "If Proof Was Alive He'd Be Dying Inside". D12 member Swift responded to the record publicly, and had the following to say about DZK (another rapper featured on the track). "[He] asked us to do a track with him when he already was teamed up with Canibus without us knowing. They dissed Em, took our verses and added them to the song so they can bring traffic and make it seem like we turning on Em... as a desperate attempt to be heard after ducking and dodging Em for 7 years. It was a straight hoe move."[24]

Chart success

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,[25] 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. It featured the following hit singles:

  • "Purple Hills" (the clean version of "Purple Pills") reached the top twenty on the Billboard 100 and number one on the rap tracks charts in 2001 as well as number two in the UK[25] and the top ten in Australia.
  • "Shit on You" reached the UK top ten[25] and the Canadian top five.
  • "Fight Music", featuring Ice-T, Angie Martinez and Fat Joe in its music video, reached the UK top twenty[25] and the Australian top forty.

The group's second album was D12 World released on April 27, 2004, featuring production by Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mr. 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,[25] and Australian album charts, and 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, was also successful reaching number one in Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. rhythmic top forty, the top five in the UK[25] and Germany, and the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100.

Appearances in film

The members of the group have also, on occasion, turned to acting. Eminem is the lead actor in 8 Mile and has had cameo appearances in several films and shows, while Proof also appears in 8 Mile as a freestyle rapper called "Lil' Tic".

The group appear in 2005's The Longest Yard credited as "Basketball Convicts". For the movie, the group recorded the song "My Ballz" for The Longest Yard. Although Eminem was the only D12 member not to appear in the movie, he does perform the chorus and a verse in "My Ballz".

Members

Current members

Former members

Bugz

Karnail Pitts (January 5, 1978), better known as Bugz, was an American underground rapper from Detroit, Michigan and a member of D12 from 1996 to 1999. He became one of the first to join the burgeoning D12 crew. He was also a solo hip hop artist. Bugz was also known by his alter-ego "Robert Beck." He released his first EP in 1999 called These Streets EP. Bugz also appeared on DJ Carl's 1999 album The Art of Invisibility in which he rapped on the "Detroit Detroit" interlude. Most of Bugz's solo work was in 1999, but several recordings from 1999 of him performing with other raps such as 5150 and M.O.B. were released on various album. Bugz' first solo album, Mr. Obnoxious, was released posthumously in February 2000, with appearances from Eminem, 5150, Proof, Swifty McVay, and Bizarre. In 2004, DJ Butter hosted a posthumous mixtape called DJ Butter Presents: Bugz, One Man Mob.

Discography

Main article: D12 discography
Studio albums
Extended Plays
Mixtapes
  • 2008: Return of The Dozen
  • 2011: Return of The Dozen, Vol. 2

References

  1. ^ "D12 Chart Success". D12 WORLD. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  2. ^ Smith, Kerry L. (May 20, 2008). "D12 > Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved March 13, 2010.
  3. ^ "D12World.com: Swift member page". D12 World. 2001.
  4. ^ Joseph Patel, with reporting by Rahman Bugg. "Eminem: Rolling The Dice On D12". MTVNews.com.
  5. ^ Moriates, Chris (August 13, 2001). "Rappers Esham, D12 kicked off Warped Tour after alleged attack". The Daily Bruin. Retrieved July 19, 2008.
  6. ^ Hasted, Nick (2005). "The Waiting Room". The Dark Story of Eminem. Omnibus Press. p. 151. ISBN 1-84449-726-7.
  7. ^ "Hip-hop's Porter puts beats up for sale on Web". The Detroit News. June 21, 2007.
  8. ^ Phillips, Rashad (March 23, 2010). "D12's Bizarre Talks Relapse 2, Canibus Diss Track | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  9. ^ Robertson, Jessica (April 11, 2006). "D12 Rapper Proof Fatally Shot". Rolling Stone @ RollingStone.com.
  10. ^ "D12, Eminem, 50 Cent and Others Attend Proof's Funeral". SixShot.com. April 20, 2006.
  11. ^ "D12 Return of the Dozen (Vol 1) mixtape". Rapbasement.
  12. ^ "Facebook: D12 announce through Facebook that Eminem will feature in Return of the Dozen 2". Facebook.
  13. ^ "D12 – Artist Lineup – Kanrocksas Music Festival". Kanrocksas Music Festival.
  14. ^ [www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00043371.html "D12 Release Music Video for 'Outro', Announce Party"]. AceShowbiz. September 2, 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  15. ^ "D12 Welcomes New Member Fuzz Scoota". Retrieved October 29, 2012. {{cite web}}: Text "Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales" ignored (help); Text "HipHop DX" ignored (help)
  16. ^ "Denaun aka Kon Artist Leaves D12". ThisIs50.com. March 25, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  17. ^ "Mr. Porter Leaves D12, Shifts Focus To Solo Debut". BallerStatus.com. March 26, 2012.
  18. ^ "Kuniva talks about new mixtape, Slaughterhouse and D12". August 27, 2012.
  19. ^ "Twitter / MrPorter2012: Not happening bro sorry RT". Twitter.com. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  20. ^ Esham - Television Tropes & Idioms
  21. ^ Feud with Rap group Ntas (Rollingstone.com)[1] Retrieved 2012-02-23
  22. ^ Film Beef II, 62 mins in(Youtube.com)[2] Retrieved 2012-02-26
  23. ^ "Beef 2". YouTube. July 13, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  24. ^ "D12 Responds To Fake Eminem Diss | D12". Rap Basement. November 25, 2009. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  25. ^ a b c d e f Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 133. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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