ARTIST

D12

Wherever rapper Eminem goes, controversy and headlines are sure to follow. With so many people unsure about whether to love him or hate him, five young rappers have decided to join him on his latest project, D12. Also known as the Dirty Dozen, D12 is a sextet of Detroit-based rappers -- all between the ages of 23 and 25. Members Bizarre, Swift, Kon Artis, Proof, and Kuniva could prove to be the sequel to the controversial parade that Eminem started with his solo album Slim Shady (UNI/Interscope Records, 1999) and the in-your-face single "Way I Am" (2000, UNI/Interscope Records).

D12's 2001 debut album Devil's Night (Interscope/Shady Records) had potential to cause some waves. After a three-year wait, D12 returned with 2004's D12 World, including guest appearances from Obie Trice and B Real. D12 was originally founded by members Bizarre and Proof around 1990, but the size and scope of the group expanded when Proof brought in childhood friend Eminem (it turns out that the pair grew up near each other, but went to different high schools) and the rest of the gang. Along their quest to stir the already controversy-infested waters of rap, all five members come complete with aliases.

D12 is (listed in no particular order by real name and alias/alter ego): Rufus Johnson, a.k.a. Peter S. Bizarre (Bizarre is also a member of the group the Outsidaz which includes Rah Digga and Eminem; he has appeared in magazines such as The Source and is the winner of Inner City Entertainment's Flava of the Year award for September 1998), Mr. Denine Porter, a.k.a. Kon Artis (Kon Artis is a producer for D12), O. Moore, a.k.a. Swifty McVay (Swifty joined D12 in 1998), Von Carlisle or Hannz G., a.k.a. Kuniva (Kuniva was a part of Da Brigade along with Kon Artis), and DeShaun Holton, a.k.a. Proof or Dirty Harry (Proof is known for his freestyle talents; he won the Source Magazine Freestyling Competition back in 1999).

Written by Kerry Smith, All Music Guide