Proof
Proof (DeShaun Holton), D12 co-founder and Hip Hop Shop open mic host, known for Searching for Jerry Garcia (2005) and I Miss the Hip Hop Shop (2004).
The Hip Hop Shop
Proof was born DeShaun Dupree Holton on October 2, 1973, in Detroit. In the mid-1990s he managed and hosted the Saturday afternoon open mic contests at the Hip Hop Shop, the clothing store opened by designer Maurice Malone at 15736 W. Seven Mile Road. The battles there became a proving ground for Detroit rappers, including his childhood friend Eminem, and later inspired the battle scenes in the film “8 Mile”.
D12
Proof was a founding member of D12, formed in 1996 with Eminem, Bizarre and others, with a lineup that grew to include Kuniva and Denaun Porter. The group released “Devil's Night” in 2001 and “D12 World” in 2004. Earlier he had been associated with 5 Elementz, and its member Mudd later appeared on his solo work. In 2002 he appeared in “8 Mile” as Lil' Tic, performing in the freestyle battle scenes.
Solo records
Proof released his solo projects through his independent label, Iron Fist Records. “I Miss the Hip Hop Shop” (2004), credited to Proof aka Derty Harry, drew on producers including J Dilla, DJ Premier and Mr. Porter. “Searching for Jerry Garcia”, released August 9, 2005, on the tenth anniversary of the Grateful Dead guitarist's death, featured 50 Cent, Method Man, B-Real, Nate Dogg, Obie Trice and D12. It reached No. 65 on the Billboard 200 and No. 8 on the Independent Albums chart.
Death and legacy
Proof died on April 11, 2006, from gunshot wounds sustained during an altercation at a nightclub on 8 Mile Road in Detroit. “Searching for Jerry Garcia”, released less than a year earlier, includes his final collaboration with Eminem and D12. His role at the Hip Hop Shop remains central to accounts of how Detroit's 1990s battle scene developed.
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