Proof (rapper)
Proof | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | DeShaun Dupree Holton |
Born | October 2, 1973 |
Origin | Detroit, Michigan |
Died | April 11, 2006 (aged 32) |
Genre(s) | Midwest hip hop |
Years active | 1996–2006 |
Label(s) | Shady, Iron Fist |
Associated acts |
D12, Eminem, Royce Da 5'9", 50 Cent |
DeShaun Dupree Holton (October 2, 1973 – April 11, 2006), better known as Proof, was an American rapper and member of the rap group D12.
Contents |
Rise to fame
Although Proof first rose to national prominence as a part of the rap group D12, he had been quite successful on his own. Most notably, he was featured in The Source's Unsigned Hype column in 1999 and came close to winning the 1998 Blaze Battle. His first television appearance can be seen in the Aaliyah video "Age Ain't Nothing But a Number". He rose to prominence in 2001 with the release of Devil's Night, D12's debut album with Interscope Records. The following year, Proof collaborated with Dogmatic on Promatic and joined Eminem's "Anger Management" tour in support of the release.[1] He also appeared in Eminem's semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile; although in the film the character based on him, Future, was portrayed by Mekhi Phifer, he appeared as Lil' Tic, a freestyle rapper who trounces the lead character with his battle verse.[2]
Filmography
In 8 Mile, Proof was the only rapper in the film to authentically freestyle his vers[citation needed]. To capitalize on the publicity from the film, Proof released a six-song EP called Electric Cool-Aid: Acid Testing.[3] Proof also had a cameo along side the rest of an Eminem-less D12 in "The Longest Yard" (2005) appearing as "Basketball Convicts" in the credits. Proof's release of Searching for Jerry Garcia did not make a significant impact on the charts despite its list of guest appearances and Proof's well known lyrical flow.
Solo work
Proof released a solo effort featuring collaborations with Eminem, 50 Cent, Method Man, Nate Dogg, B-Real of Cypress Hill, T3 of Slum Village, Obie Trice, Royce Da 5'9" and other members of D12 on his own Iron Fist Records label in conjunction with Alliance Entertainment's and . Proof said that he did not produce the record with Shady Records or Aftermath because he wanted to "build his own thing". Called Searching for Jerry Garcia, the album was released on August 9, 2005 on his own Iron Fist Records label 10 years to the day following Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia's death.[4] Nelly Furtado and Mike Shinoda were originally supposed to appear on the record as well.
Originally, every song title on the album was to be named after a celebrity. "Jump Biatch" was originally titled "Eric Clapton Jr." (Proof changed the title when he realized that Eric Clapton's son fell to his death from a 53rd-story window.[5]) Another song presumably meant for the album was "Neil Armstrong", which can be found on Proof's mixtape "I Miss The Hip Hop Shop".
Proof has said that he considered Jerry Garcia to be a "genius" who suffered from character flaws that are indicative of all people. Proof has stated his admiration for Garcia's eclectic style, saying that Garcia "went against the grain".[6] The album received favorable reviews, which commented on its "eclectic" and "introspective" nature.[7]
Proof stated how he wanted to be remembered in an interview with SOHH.com shortly after his album release; 'I want people to say that I was a true artist', ' That I did it best and stayed true to Hip Hop roots' and 'I'd want people to understand I did it for the love not for the charts.' [8]
The last song Proof recorded was with Detroit Horrorcore rap group Twiztid for their album Independent's Day called "How I Live". The track was recorded only week's before his untimely death and on the night Proof passed he was finalizing a deal to go on tour with the group. The Tour and collaboration were a means by proof to unite Detroit's rap scene as Proof in the song states that the two groups (Psychopathic Records & D12) "bury the hatchet" and were working together.[9]
Death
On April 11, 2006, Proof was killed by a gunshot wound to the head at approximately 4:30 EDT (08:30 UTC) at the CCC Club on 8 Mile Road in Detroit, Michigan after fatally shooting U.S. military veteran Keith Bender Jr.
Although unconfirmed to date, it was reported that Proof fired the first shots into Bender's head after taking his pistol and striking Bender several times in the face. According to the coroner, Proof had a blood alcohol content of 0.32.[10] The eruption is suspected to have been due to an argument over a game of pool, which escalated. Proof was then allegedly shot by the bouncer Mario Etheridge, Bender's cousin. He was then taken by private vehicle to St. John Health's Conner Creek Campus, an outpatient emergency treatment site, and pronounced dead shortly thereafter. Exact details of his death and the events that led to it remain unclear.
Bender's family began a wrongful-death suit against Proof's estate. During the course of this suit, and in a subsequent magazine article, an alternative description of events emerged.
An XXL article [11] that interviews Mudd (a friend of Proof who allegedly witnessed the shooting) offers an alternative viewpoint to the media reports.
Mudd claims the shooting was done by Mario Etheridge, who initially discharged his weapon into the air to break up a fist fight between Proof and Bender. Proof responded in kind, wrestling Mudd's weapon from him and likewise discharging the weapon into the air. As he fired, Proof was tackled by Bender and the two began to fight on the ground.
Etheridge then fired repeatedly at the pair on the ground, killing them both. Mudd further alleges that the initial testimony of Proof firing first were corroborated by Etheridge's companions to keep him (Etheridge) out of jail. Whether or not this is true is debatable, however this is the testimony that Mudd presented under oath at the wrongful-death suit brought against Proof's estate.
When quizzed as to why he had not brought any of this information to light before the trial, Mudd responded that he feared retaliation.
Proof was buried on April 19 at Woodlawn Cemetary,in Detroit to a full house of 2,000 with thousands mourning outside. Eminem and Obie Trice read eulogies at the service.
Aftermath
The family of Keith Bender, who died several days later, sought legal advice to sue Proof's estate for damages that were a result of Proof's actions.[12]
Etheridge was cleared of murder charges. A county prosecutor says that the shooter acted lawfully in defense of another man, especially because he was a close family member. However, he was convicted of weapons charges for his part in the incident, with the possibility of serving a maximum jail sentence of nine years.[13] Mario Etheridge walked free as he was sentenced to jail time that he had already served.
Discography
- Fuckin’ Backstabber/Soul Intent (1995)
- Electric Cool-Aid Acid Testing (2002)
- BigProof.Com Online Mixtape (23 Days Of Hell) (2003)
- I Miss the Hip Hop Shop (2004)
- DJ Salam Wreck Presents: Proof - Grown Man Shit (2005)
- Searching for Jerry Garcia (2005)
- Proof & Iron Fist Present - Proof!! I Killed Spider Man (2005)
- Proof & Iron Fist Present - Hand2Hand: The Official Mixtape Instruction Manual (2006)
- Time A Tell (2007 - subject to change)
Promatic
This is a rap duo between Proof and Dogmatic
- Promatic LP (2002)
- Back Again (2007 - subject to change)
5 Elementz (5 Ela)
5 Ela consisted of three members were Mudd (the Specialist), Thyme (the Professional), and Proof (the Scientist).
- Yester Years EP (1996)
- The Album That Time Forgot (1998)
- 5e Pt.3 (1999)
Without Proof - Mudd (Mudd Holle "the Spezz") and Thyme (Thymezilla "tha Monsta")
- 5 Ela Presents...The EP (2004)
References
- ^ Proof: Reviews, Discography.... Music.com (June 18, 2004). Retrieved on 2006-04-12.
- ^ 8 Mile (2002). IMDB.com. Retrieved on 2006-04-12.
- ^ David Friedman. Interview with Proof. Murder Dog. Retrieved on 2006-04-12.
- ^ DeShaun Holton: Information. Answers.com. Retrieved on 2006-04-12.
- ^ Proof: Body of the Life Force. AllHipHop.com.
- ^ Proof "Searching for Jerry Garcia" Review. Hip Hop Galaxy. Retrieved on 2006-04-12.
- ^ Proof - Searching For Jerry Garcia Album Review. Hip Hop DX. Retrieved on 2006-04-12.
- ^ The Proof Is In The Music. SOHH.com.
- ^ twiztid.com - Hookups section. Retrieved on 2007-08-24.
- ^ Alex Alonso (June 1st, 2006). PROOF from D12 meets an early Death in Detroit Club. Hip Hop DX.
- ^ The Death of Proof - Bare Witness. XXLmag.com (Monday October 2nd, 2006).
- ^ Proof's Estate sued for damages by Bender's family. BBC News (May 4, 2006).
- ^ Proof shooter cleared of murder charges; still faces weapons charges. Streethop.com (May 31, 2006).
External links
- Video of Proof as a Kid
- Proof Obituary Book at D12web.com
- First Mourningbook of Proof (English)
- Official Proof/Iron Fist Records Site
- Proof Forum at D12World.com
- Proof Profile at D12World.com
- Proof at XXL Magazine
- Remembering Proof at MTV.com
- Rapper Proof Shot, Killed At Detroit Club
D12 |
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Eminem · Swift · Kon Artis · Kuniva · Bizarre Eye-Kyu · Fuzz Scoota · · Bugz · Proof Albums: The Underground EP · Devil's Night · D12 World Singles: "Shit on You" · "Purple Pills" · "Fight Music" · "My Band" · "How Come" · "40 Oz." · "U R the One" |