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D12 Biography
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In the post-Motown landscape
of Detroit, brothers rocking the mic are still being considered the voice
of young America. Yet, instead of dreaming of blue skies and white picket
fences, the unruly boys known as D12 create surreal universes of wild
times and unruly rhymes. On their bombastic sophomore effort, D12 World,
this motley crew of versatile style slayers mixes the rowdiness and
absurdities of their lives into one potent cocktail.
Two years after selling 4 million copies worldwide of their debut Devil's
Night, these Motor City wild boys are on a mission to define themselves in
the hectic canon of now-school hip-hop. "In D12 World, anything can
happen at any time," Kuniva laughs. "Devil's Night was just an
introduction, now it's time for us to really go crazy."
With a lineup that includes sharp-tongued Eminem, crazy cat Bizarre,
beatmaster Kon Artis, laid-back Swift, chilled-out Kuniva, and freestyle
king Proof, the D12 posse is already popular. The group's debut disc
received rave reviews in the press. USA Today wrote, "The garishly
funky beats that underpin the diabolically clever wordplay make the album
hard to dismiss...their diatribes seem born less of anger and more of
disdain for all that's politically correct."
Indeed, Devil's Night established D12 as one of the supergroups of the new
millennium, with its chart-topping singles "Purple Pills" and
"Fight Music," and with their outlandish antics on record and in
performance. So what if Eminem has nine Grammys and one Oscar ("Lose
Yourself" from the 8 Mile soundtrack); so what if Mr. Shady has
proven himself as a film star (8 Mile) and America's most popular rapper?
When D12 is in the house, he's just another group member.
"We all knew each other
growing up in Detroit," Proof remembers. "I used to sneak Em
into my school lunchroom just so he could battle. Later, when we started
battling once a month at Maurice Malone's Hip-Hop Shop, everybody had a
crew. So, we decided to form our own. That's how D12 was born. Before we
even thought about making records, our only goal was to be like verbal
ninjas and kick ass."
Although the Detroit hip-hop scene might not be on the scale of New York
or Cali, those who are down take rap very seriously. Having known each
other since the days when they were rapping just to be heard, headnodding
onstage inside Detroit's infamous Hip-Hop Shop (where Proof was also the
host), these brothers from different mothers have always had a special
bond. "We were the All-Star Team of battle rappers," Kuniva
recalls. "And when somebody like Bizarre got in front of the mic, we
never knew what he might say. Bizarre is wicked 'cause he'll say sh-t that
others won't."
While the group was a priority, each of the members has worked on solo and
side-projects. Still, it wasn't until Eminem's own legendary solo success
with Dr. Dre that D12 finally got a chance to move beyond their
neighborhoods. "Em was able to take D12 to the next level," Kon
Artis says. Prior to teaming up in front of a mic, the two worked together
at a local pizza joint called Gilbert's Lounge. "He helps to bring
stuff out of us. With him, no matter what happens, it's always been about
real friendship."
One friend and group member who wouldn't live to see D12 successfully rock
the world was a young rapper named Bugz. Although he too was down with the
crew, Bugz was killed shortly before D12 was signed to Shady Records.
"His last request was that we put Swift in the group," Proof
says. "If you listen to our song 'Good Die Young' on D12 World, you'd
understand how much he meant to the group." In an odd coincidence,
Proof's son was born the same day Bugz died.
After the release of Devil's Night, the D12 crew spent many days and
nights touring the world. Although Bizarre was still bringing the laughs
and Kuniva was still being his outspoken self, there was still time for
reflection. "Anyone who listened to the Devil's Night will hear a lot
of growth on our new joint," Kon Artis says. "For the past two
years all we've done is tour and mature." Bizarre concurs,
"Although Eminem is the most prominent member of the crew, on this
album the rest of D12 steps up and displays their skills. On D12 World,
you can clearly hear we're all dope MCs. Most rap on the radio right now
is either popcorn or gangsta, but we're going for a new refreshing
approach with our beats and lyrical content."
Although D12 has grown, they are still funny as hell. "When you
listen to the title track, it's like walking into a dope house
party," says Bizarre. With its strange soundscape and spooky strings,
the Kanye West-produced track serves the listener a taste of the group's
bugged poetics.
While most cliques fronted by an internationally known rap superstar might
try to distance themselves from secondhand fame, the members of D12 rather
make fun of it with their first single, "My Band," lampooning
the fact that more than a few journalists wrote about D12 as though they
were the latest boy band on the scene.
"The entire 'My Band' track originated from a joke," Swift
explains. "On the whole song, Em is just this dick lead singer who
anoints us 'the cute one' or 'the shy one.' It's just a goof directed at
the media." Reminding one of a rap version of Spinal Tap, this
minimally produced Em nugget has the charm of Mad magazine and sassiness
of a snake.
The group balances out the release of "My Band" with the
simultaneous release of "40 Oz." (video and single). The rowdy
Trackboyz-produced track gives the club heads the rush they need to get
the party started.
Em also contributed the frantic beat on "Git Up." Featuring Em's
bouncy chants combined with creepy gothic strings, "Git Up,"
which is an exciting street burner taunts any suckers trying to step to
the crew. As group member Kon Artis, himself a noted producer (find him
listed as "Mr. Porter" in the production credits), says, "Em
created a track that is just pure adrenaline. We just went in the studio
and tried to destroy whatever people might think about D12. Any backlash
that Em has to deal with from the press, we go though together. D12 is
more than a group, we're brothers."
Although naysayers and corn balls might try to label the humorous
"I'm Gonna Get My Gun" as just another gangsta anthem, Bizarre
knows better. "That's another one of those times we were just messing
around in the studio," he explains. "One of the engineers said,
'You ever been in a club, and see dudes get in a fight. One guy always
gotta announce...I'm gonna get my gun!' It's funny, but it's also
real."
Lacing a little R&B with his pimping, Kon Artis constructed "You
Are The One." Reminiscent of a beat Big Daddy Kane would have been
proud to use, Kon Artis has created a track that examines both the bitter
and the sweet in love.
Although Kon Artis has gotten much fame from producing the 50 Cent single
"P.I.M.P." and G-Unit's "Stunt 101," he doesn't skimp
when it's time to bring the noise to D12. "By definition, Detroit has
always been a funk town," Kon Artis explains. "On 'I'll Be
Damned,' I was just coming with a funky George Clinton/Larry Graham vibe.
To me, rap is boring right now and a great way to liven it up is to bring
the funk."
Kon Artis, who has studied the art of production under Detroit homeboy
Jaydee (Slum Village) and Cali flyboy Dr. Dre (who also contributes to the
project with "American Psycho II" featuring B-Real), has risen
in the ranks as one of rap's most sought-after sound providers. Currently,
he is working on tracks for Dre's upcoming CD, Snoop, Method Man, and
Bilal. "The best lesson Dre ever taught me was it doesn't hurt to try
an idea. The only way to get to the next level is to not be afraid."
Additional producers on D12 World include: Hi-Tek, Night & Day, Red
Spyda, and Sick Notes.
With the release of D12 World, the group has created the perfect blueprint
for all future groups to follow. As Proof is quick to say, "Forget
about the word real, D12 keeps it right."
D12 Links
Eminem
Website
D12
Official Website |
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