Eminem Pays Tribute To Proof On 20 Year Anniversary Of His Death

Twenty years on, and the absence still cuts deep, Eminem has paid tribute to Proof, marking two decades since the death of the D12 cornerstone and his closest ally in Detroit’s underground.

Eminem took to social media yesterday (April 11th US), and didn’t dress it up, he went straight for the gut (per Detroit News).

“Doody, can’t believe it’s been 20 years since you’ve been gone!”
“Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you in some way shape or form … You were and are still truly one of the greatest friends I ever had in my entire life and I thank God everyday that he put us in each other’s lives.”

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For anyone who’s followed Eminem’s rise, Proof wasn’t just part of the story, he was the foundation. The guy who dragged Slim Shady through Detroit’s open mic circuit and made sure people actually listened before writing him off.

The man behind the movement

Proof, born DeShaun Holton, was more than a hype man, he was the connective tissue of D12, holding together a lineup that included Bizarre, Kon Artis, Swifty McVay and Kuniva, On stage, he was intense with purpose. Off stage, he was the co-sign that mattered.

Eminem didn’t shy away from that reality:

“My life would never have taken the trajectory it took had I not met you. Thank you for always believing in me like I always believed in you!!”
“Your credibility was enough to open people’s minds to not judge me until they heard me… I love you doody you will always be my best friend no matter how much time passes and I will never forget you as long as I live!!!”

Proof was killed on April 11th, 2006, following an altercation at a Detroit club on Eight Mile, the loss didn’t just shake Eminem, it ripped a hole through the city’s hip-hop scene.

D12 aren’t done with Proof yet

While the anniversary is heavy, it’s not just about looking back, a post from D12 confirmed that new material featuring Proof is on the way, with the upcoming album ‘D12 Forever’ slated for June.

“Proof’s spirit, his words, and his impact will remain eternal.”

It’s a reminder that while the man’s gone, his voice isn’t finished echoing yet.