Detroit rapper Proof was killed Tuesday night with a gunshot to the head outside of Eight Mile Nightclub. Proof was the founder of D12 and had two solo albums to his credit. Not exceptional, but solid, what was most notable in his music was his firm lyrical placement within the Detroit underground. His Mix CD Grown Man Sh!t is full of references to streets, clubs and underground rappers unknown to the rest of the world.
I write this merely to offer another obit than the ones I've seen which reference him just as a friend of Em's and his best man cursorily mention his membership in D12.
Here is the intro to his album Grown Man Sh!t which I am transcribing because I couldn't find it on the internet:
(Sound of a film projector. Intense classical music builds as Proof orates to a cheering crowd) Lick a shot for Detroit. I call to thee, my brethren, my people, my family, my Americans - whoever loves Detroit like this man does. Not only bred and seasoned in Detroit, but has achieved platinum success and still fights in the downtown clubs, (hoorah!) still in the grimiest places ever (hoorah!). Who did open mics at Outcast, then at Maxi's on to Legends, won the Source battles and did it for you, Detroit! (hoorah!) I say, make Proof your mayor of hip hop, so that Detroit may live, so that we can obtain the world. I love thee Detroit, so love yourselves and vote for Proof.