D12

D12

Company type	Hip hop collective
Industry	Music
Founded	1996
Headquarters	Detroit , United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Eminem, Proof, Bizarre, Kon Artis, Kuniva, Swifty McVay
Products	Music albums, mixtapes

D12—an abbreviation for the Dirty Dozen—is a hip hop collective originating from Detroit, Michigan in the United States. Established in 1996, the group rose to prominence with prominent figures such as the unofficial leader Eminem, Proof, Bizarre, Kon Artis, Kuniva, and Swifty McVay.

In the early 2000s, D12 secured top positions on music charts across the US, UK, and Australia. Their albums Devil's Night (2001) and D12 World (2004) yielded popular singles including "Shit on You", "Purple Pills", "Fight Music", "My Band", and "How Come". Both records achieved double platinum status as certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

The group received the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Act in 2004.

After Eminem’s break from music and the passing of Proof in 2006, D12's activity diminished. Between 2008 and 2015, the group released three official mixtapes featuring a smaller lineup comprising Bizarre, Kuniva, and Swifty McVay, with occasional appearances by Eminem, Mr. Porter, and affiliate Fuzz Scoota.

On August 31, 2018, Eminem’s album Kamikaze included the song "Stepping Stone", in which he declared that 'D12 is over,' signifying his formal departure from the ensemble. Nevertheless, Bizarre, Kuniva, and Swifty continue to perform and record under the D12 name.

Formation, The Underground EP, and Bugz’s passing (1996–2000)

D12 was created in 1996 by Proof, who brought together Detroit artists such as Eye-Kyu, Bizarre, Da Brigade members Kon Artis and Kuniva, along with Bugz. The group's name stemmed from six members each adopting two alter egos, totaling twelve personas. Their first extended play, The Underground EP, was released in 1997 and featured guest contributions from Eminem. Throughout 1997 and 1998, members built local acclaim; Bizarre issued an EP titled Attack of the Weirdos and became an honorary member of the Outsidaz. Proof earned recognition by winning a freestyling contest held by The Source.

In 1999, Bugz released These Streets EP and participated on other artists’ projects. Tragically, on May 21, 1999, Bugz was fatally shot. Prior to his death, he recommended Swifty McVay as his replacement. Shortly thereafter, Eminem joined D12 to fill the vacancy left by Bugz.

Devil's Night, D12 World, and Proof’s death (2001–2006)

Their debut full-length album, Devil's Night, launched in June 2001, debuted at number one on U.S. charts and reached number two in the UK while also topping Canadian rankings. It achieved global sales of four million copies with two million sold domestically.

Released on April 27, 2004, D12 World included production credits from Eminem, Mr. Porter, Dr. Dre, and Kanye West, alongside guest appearances by artists such as Obie Trice, Young Zee, and B-Real. The album topped charts in the US, UK, and Australia and sold over 500,000 copies during its initial week in the U.S. The lead single "My Band" reached number one in Australia, New Zealand, and on the U.S. rhythmic top forty; it also placed within the top five in both the UK and Germany as well as breaking into the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2005, solo projects from Bizarre and Proof—Hannicap Circus and Searching for Jerry Garcia respectively—debuted at numbers 48 and 65 on U.S. charts.

On April 11, 2006, Proof was tragically killed after a confrontation resulting in a fatal shooting. This event marked a significant shift for D12; Eminem ceased being an active member but contributed guest verses on two subsequent tracks. On December 5 of that year, Shady Records issued Eminem Presents: The Re-Up, featuring Eminem alongside artists like 50 Cent and Obie Trice; D12 members participated with collaborative songs including "Murder" by Bizarre & Kuniva and "Whatever You Want" by Swifty McVay & Kon Artis. Proof’s track "Trapped" contained a tribute to Eminem.

Mixtapes, unreleased third album, and Eminem's exit (2008–present)

D12 unveiled their debut mixtape, Return of the Dozen Vol. 1, on May 21, 2008. Two years later, in 2010, they recorded the track "Hit Me with Your Best Shot" intended for Eminem's ultimately abandoned project Relapse 2. The group's subsequent mixtape, Return of the Dozen Vol. 2 (2011), marked the introduction of new member Fuzz Scoota. In August 2011, D12 appeared at the Kanrocksas Music Festival. The following year saw the departures of Bizarre and Mr. Porter from the ensemble.

By January 2014, Mark Bass of the Bass Brothers confirmed that D12 was working on fresh material featuring Eminem on at least three songs. That same year, Bizarre rejoined the group, and anticipation grew around a potential third studio album slated for release in 2014. On August 25, 2014, Eminem’s official website revealed D12’s participation in the Shady Records compilation Shady XV, showcasing their new track "Bane" with production by Mr. Porter.

In August 2015, D12 announced they had recorded numerous tracks for an upcoming album, to be released when deemed suitable. Later that year, on October 30, they issued The Devil's Night Mixtape, which featured collaborations with artists such as King Gordy, Lazarus, Kxng Crooked, Kidd Kidd, Young Buck, Royce da 5'9", and T3 from Slum Village; the mixtape was hosted by DJ Whoo Kid.

Eminem’s tenth studio album Kamikaze was released on August 31, 2018, including the song "Stepping Stone," where he officially declared that 'D12 is over,' signaling his formal departure from the group after years of inactivity following Proof’s passing. Nonetheless, members Bizarre, Kuniva, and Swifty McVay have continued to tour and produce music under the D12 name.

In celebration of its twentieth anniversary in 2021, Devil's Night was reissued digitally as an expanded edition featuring bonus content such as an unreleased freestyle.

During 2023, Swifty McVay and Kuniva supported several dates on Snoop Dogg’s I Wanna Thank Me Tour performing D12 tracks; later that year they toured across the UK and Netherlands commemorating the 20th anniversary of D12 World.

Members

• Eminem (1996–1998, 1999–2018)
• Proof (1996–2006; deceased)
• Bizarre (1996–2012, 2014–present)
• Mr. Porter (1996–2012, 2014–2018)
• Kuniva (1996–present)
• Swifty McVay (1998–present)
• Bugz (1996–1999; deceased)
• Fuzz Scoota (1996-1997, 2011–2014)
• Eye-Kyu (1996)
• Dirtty Ratt (1996; deceased)
• B Flat (1996)
• DJ Head (1996-?)

Timeline

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 at:04/27/2004 color:black layer:back

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 bar:Proof from:01/01/1996 till:04/11/2006
 bar:Bizarre from:01/01/1996 till:02/28/2012
 bar:Bizarre from:02/07/2014 till:01/01/2025
 bar:Porter from:01/01/1996 till:03/24/2012
 bar:Porter from:11/24/2014 till:08/31/2018
 bar:Kuniva from:01/01/1996 till:01/01/2025
 bar:Swifty from:01/01/1998 till:01/01/2025
 bar:Bugz from:01/01/1996 till:05/21/1999
 bar:Fuzz from:04/07/2011 till:10/02/2014

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Awards and nominations

Year	Event	Category	Outcome
2002	ECHO Awards (for Devil's Night)	International Best Hip-Hop/Urban Artist	Template:Won
2004	MTV Europe Music Awards	Hip-Hop Act of the Year	Template:Won
		Group of the Year	Template:Nom
2004	MTV Video Music Awards (for My Band)	Video of the Year	Template:Nom
		Outstanding Group Video	Template:Nom
		Rap Video of the Year	Template:Nom

Discography

Albums

• Devil's Night (2001)
• D12 World (2004)