D-12

D12 is a hip-hip outfit formed by Detroit rapper Proof in the mid 1990s. An early incarnation of D12 featured a young pre-fame Eminem. Following his rise to superstardom, Slim Shady made D12 the first act signed to his Shady Records imprint. The group released two very successful full-lengths, both of which contained a number of charting singles. Eminem briefly returned to the group to tour and provide guest shots for the albums. Sadly, D12 lost key member's Bugz and the aforementioned Proof, both of whom were killed by gunfire in 1999 and 2006 respectively. Despite these tragedies, the group soldiered forward, as fans anxiously awaited the materialisation of a long-rumored third D12 album.

• hip hop/rap