Proof (rapper)

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Proof
Background information
Birth name	DeShaun Dupree Holton
Born	October 2, 1973
Origin	Detroit, Michigan
Died	April 11, 2006 (Age 32) 4:30 AM
Genre(s)	Midwest hip hop
Years active	1997–2006
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. Proof was a long time friend and publicity assistant of Eminem, with nicknames Big Proof, P, Derty Harry, and Oil Can Harry. Proof began his career in Detroit's Hip Hop Shop organizing freestyle tournaments. It was there that he met and proposed forming a clique with several other members that would later become the group D12.

Contents 1 Rise to fame 2 Solo work 3 Death 4 Aftermath 5 Tribute 6 Discography 6.1 Promatic 6.2 5 Elamentz 7 References 8 External links

[edit] 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 Nothin' 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 his character was portrayed by Mekhi Phifer, he appeared as Lil' Tic, a freestyle rapper who trounces the lead character with his battle verse.^[2] Filmography - Proof's appearance in 8 Mile </ref> Proof was the only rapper in the film to authentically freestyle his verse^{[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. DeShaun Holton's father was once involved in the music industry and produced records by acts including Tower of Power. In an interview, however, Proof once referred to his father as a 'crackhead' and it has been alleged that his mother was also involved in drugs. He attended Gesu private school in his youth before enrolling at Osborn High on Detroit's east side. He formed his first rap group, the 5 Ela, with his friends Thyme and Mudd, then the influential Goon Sqwad, which featured Stylz, Trick Trick and DJ OC. He truly left his mark, however, at designer Maurice Malone's Hip Hop Shop, where he MC'd freestyle sessions on Saturday afternoons. Local and national talent, from the Notorious BIG to Redman and Method Man passed through the shop, eager to battle with Detroit's finest.

[edit] 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 and other members of D12 on his own Iron Fist Records label in conjunction with AMC. 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 IronFist Records label 10 years to the day following Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia's death.^[4]

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.' [2]

Proof's second solo album, 'Time Will Tell', Is to be released by the end of this year. It is said by Eminem to contain some of Proof's best material, and certain tracks that will send Proof's status into super-stardom after release.

In late 2006, Proof, along with D12 bandmate Bizarre, got together with horrorcore rap group Twiztid of Psychopathic Records to record new material for Twiztid's upcoming album Independents Day, which will be released on July 3, 2007. Despite past issues with ex-Psychopathic artist Esham, Twiztid commented on their official website that working with Proof and Bizarre was a blast.

A sample of Proof's music is on XXL Magazine's website found here.

[edit] Death

On April 11, 2006, Proof was murdered by a fatal gunshot wound to the head at approximately 4:30am 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 an alcohol content of 0.32.^[8] 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 [3] 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 in The Fellowship Chapel, Detroit to a full house of 2,000 with thousands mourning outside. Eminem and Obie Trice read eulogies at the service.

An excerpt from Eminems eulogy: "I'm sure everybody who has ever met him, even just once, can testify to the fact that he illuminated a room when he walked in it. I believe that Proof loved people and people loved him. He was a magnet. He lured you in. You wanted to learn about him, follow his swagger. Without Proof, there would be no Eminem, no Slim Shady, and no D12."

Many rap artists offered their condolences to Proof's family after the passing. Proof is survived by his mother Sherallene; father McKinley; fiance Autumn; sons DeShaun Rice, Nassan, Nyeem and Elijha Abel; and daughter Katieva Walker.

Obie Trice has released a new song that pays tribute to Big Proof entitled: "Ride With Me". Dina Rae has provided vocal samples for the song. The song has been circulating the internet. Fellow Detroitain Esham has provided fans with a new unreleased song "So Crazy" on his podcast 10. A few months before Proof died, he recorded a song with DJ Ray O'Shea called "I'm From Detroit (Remix)" featuring Boss, Esham, Malik, Big Herk, etc. quoting These are not Air force one's, these are Bathing Apes.

The last song Proof ever recorded was only weeks before with Detroit horrorcore group Twiztid of Psychopathic Records. The duo has stated that the track will be released on their forthcoming album, Independents Day, on July 3, 2007.

[edit] 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 .^[9]

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.^[10] Mario Etheridge walked free as he was sentenced to jail time that he had already served.

[edit] Tribute

In the video for "Cry Now" off Obie Trice's Second Rounds On Me, Trice and friends wear t-shirts of Proof on them. In the video Smack That by Akon, Eminem is seen wearing a chain with the letter P on it to always remind him of his best friend. In the mixtape album "Eminem Presents: The Re-Up" there is a track of Proof's called Trapped, which is an excerpt from the song Oil Can Harry off of his 2005 mixtape, Grown Man Shit. Although The Re-Up contains this track, the album is not a tribute to Proof.

D12 is making a new album called Natural Born Killers that will have more unreleased tracks of Proof and it will be dedicated to the memory of their friend.

On the Monday, December 4, 2006, 106 & Park performance of the G-Unit/Eminem song "You Don't Know", Eminem is shown wearing a Proof T-shirt.

As a tribute to his best friend, Eminem had the tattoo that Proof had on his right arm tattoo'd onto his left arm. The tattoo was done by the same artist that did Proof's, Mr. Cartoon. Not only was this tattoo the exact same one that Proof had, Eminem writes with his left hand, and it's said that it was put on his left arm so that he can think of Proof when he writes his lyrics.

Theres a billboard on 12th Street in Detroit that says "REST IN PEACE BIG PROOF" with a picture of him and his birthday and his day of death.

Former G-Unit/Aftermath artist, The Game, has given credit and remembrance to Proof on his latest album Doctor's Advocate.

Xzibit pays tribute to the Proof on the track "Thank You" from his latest album Full Circle; he also wore a "R.I.P. Proof" t-shirt during an episode of Pimp My Ride.

Street artist Shepard Fairey (of Obey Giant fame) created a limited edition silkscreen print entitled "Big Proof Forever" for the benefit of the Big Proof Foundation. The print was limited to 1,500 copies and retailed at $45 from his website ObeyGiant.com.

Former enemy and friend Royce Da 5'9" shouts out Proof in his song Ding Ding

[edit] Discography

Main articles: D12 Discography and Proof discography

• Electric Cool-Aid: Acid Testing (2002)
• I Miss the Hip Hop Shop (2004)
• Searching for Jerry Garcia (2005)

[edit] Promatic

This is a rap duo between Proof and Dogmatic

• Promatic LP (2002)
• Back Again (2007)

[edit] 5 Elamentz

The five elements are Tribe of the Woods, Yapho Dapho, Mud, Thyme, and Proof.

• The Album That Time Forgot (1996)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• The Official Mourningbook of Proof
• Detailed acount of Proofs death,funeral and exact time of death

• Proof/Iron Fist Records Fan Site
• 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