Proof (rapper)

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 also doubled as Eminem's publicity assistant and was a long time friend of his. He also went by the nicknames Big Proof, P, Derty Harry, and Oil Can Harry. Proof began his career in Detroit's Hip Hop Shop, where he organized freestyle tournaments. It was there that he met Eminem and proposed forming a clique with several other members, in what would later become the group D12.

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 prior to D12 being signed to a major label owned by group member Eminem. Most notably, he was featured in The Source's Unsigned Hype column in 1999 and came close to winning the 1998 Blaze Battle. He rose to prominence in 2001 with the release of Devil's Night, D12's debut album with Interscope Records, and the album's heavily aired radio hit, Purple Pills. The following year, Proof collaborated with Dogmatic on Promatic and joined Eminem's "Anger Management" tour in support of the release. "Proof: Reviews, Discography..." A Profile of Proof - retrieved on 12th April 2006 He also appeared in Eminem's semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile; although in the movie his character was portrayed by Mekhi Phifer, he did appear as Lil' Tic, a freestyle rapper who trounces the lead character with his battle verse. "8 Mile (2002)" - retrieved on 12th April 2006"> Filmography - Proof's appearance in 8 Mile Proof was the only rapper within the movie to authentically freestyle his verse. To capitalize on the publicity from the film, Proof released a six-song EP called Acid Testing.^* Interview with Proof Proof also had a cameo along side the rest of D12 (sans Eminem) 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.

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, 10 years to the day following Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia's death. "DeShaun Holton: Information" Proof's discography - retrieved on 12th April 2006

Originally, every song title on the album was to be named after a celebrity. "Jump Biatch" was originally titled "Eric Clapton Jr." (Eric Clapton's son fell from the 53rd floor of his parent's apartment.) 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". "Hip Hop Galaxy" A review of Proof's album - retrieved on 12th April 2006 The album received favorable reviews, which commented on its "eclectic" and "introspective" nature. "Hip Hop DX" Album review - retrieved on 12th April 2006

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.' ^*

Proofs 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 Proofs best material, and the certain tracks that will send Proof's status into super-stardom after release.

A sample of Proof's music is on [[XXL (magazine)| XXL Magazine]]'s website found here.

Death

On April 11, 2006, Proof suffered 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 Keith Bender Jr. Proof fired the first shots into Bender's head after taking his pistol and striking Bender several times in the face. The eruption is suspected to have been due to an argument over a game of pool and escalation. 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 was pronounced dead on arrival shortly thereafter. Exact details of his death and the events that led to it remain unclear.

He was buried on April 20 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 of Eminem's words: "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; wife Sharonda; sons DeShaun Rice and Elijha Abel; and daughters Katieva Walker, Nassan, and Nyeem.

Proof also shared a few verses about death. On the songs Loyalty, Get My Gun, and 40 Oz from the D-12 World album, and also Oil Can Harry from Proof's solo project, Proof's lyrics are seen by some as precognitive:

Loyalty - "life as D12, no ice and spreewells/ Every night that I chill in, I fight by free-will/ Knowing I can be killed/ Leaving my group, pieces of proof with a reason to shoot/ And a license to ill/ We lost Bugz and I'll be damed if we lose another man from our clan/ Without forcing our hand[..."

40 Ounce - "I was raised by drunks so I became a drunk/ 80 Proof on this vodka, that's the name I want/ I'm in the club to beef, you gotta murder me there/ Only talk to a bitch - wit burgundy hair/ On the isle in the Vet, bumpin Seven Duece!/ See that top on that 40, you know it's comin loose/ See me on the ave daily, be running this shit/ If your chick get loud I'll G-Money that bitch/ Packing mags and clips, I'll smash ya clique/ Because of Proof they put the "G" in the alphabet./ Smoking weed, drinking Henny, Remy and that Jimmy/ Don't worry if you run out, the corner store got plenty!"

Get My Gun - "Watch you holla when the hollow tips go through you're skin / I'm in love with the sin, tell Bugz i'mma see him. " (Bugz is a former D12 member who is also deceased.)

At the beginning of Oil Can Harry, Proof can be heard faintly sayin the words "Dirty Harry is dead, Dirty Harry is dead, now witness the birth of his son Oil Can Harry".

Proof also recorded a song - Proof Feat. 50 Cent - Forgive Me - in which he wishes for the Lord to forgive him all the sins he has committed in his life, which could (somewhat tenuously) be viewed as a desire to confess before his death.

However, it should be noted that rappers change and adopt new aliases frequently, and sometimes even for the purpose of creating a rhyme for a single song. Also, Proof's lyrics generally contain varied and numerous references to violence, so it is likely that the lines were just simple coincidence.

Ironically, in Eminem's video for Like Toy Soldiers Proof is depicted being shot & killed in a drive-by shooting. It was made almost 2 years before Proof's death.

Aftermath

The family of former United States Army serviceman Kevin Bender, who died several days later, sought legal advice to sue Proof's estate for damages that they believed they were owed as a result of Proof's actions. "Proof's Estate sued for damages by Bender's family" BBC News - dated May 4, 2006

Mario Etheridge, the man who shot and killed rapper Proof in a nightclub shootout, was cleared of murder charges. A county prosecutor says that the shooter acted lawfully in defense of another man, especially because Bender Jr. was a close family member, however he must still face weapons charges for his part in the incident. "Proof shooter cleared of murder charges; still faces weapons charges" Streethop.com - dated May 31, 2006

Discography

I Miss The Hip Hop Shop
Searching for Jerry Garcia
Grown Man Shit
Electric Coolaid Acid Testing EP
Promatic (2000)
Hand 2 Hand Official Mixtape Instruction Manual
Time Will Tell (Coming soon)

Notes

External links

*First Mourningbook of Proof