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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.
D12 Links
"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." |
