Let me remind you all that RIP Big Proof was full part of the 5ELA group and that they did amazing collaborations. Proof was also D12, he founded the group along with Bizarre, so it is kinda painful to see the Detroit scene being torn apart that way.

Here is the reason why Kuniva dissed 5ELA. Follow the whole story at Skrilla Gorillas’ website.

I think that the Detroit scene should search for unity. Whatever happens, happens anyway.

Feel free to comment, but I won’t tolerate any insults. They will be deleted straight away.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

D12 fans have been waiting to enjoy Kuniva’s solo work…the amazing D12 artist is giving you all the wonderful occasion to enjoy his incredible skills as a solo artist.
After a short intro, Coming Home is mixing some cool, funky and soul vibes with Kuniva’s ill, devastating, stormy rhymes…how could one stay insensitive to this song? I truly loved it and I highly recommend it.

Another interesting Ghostface/ Royce da 5.9 collaboration is the song Nutmeg that fully enlightens the artists’ lyrical skills and flow. The melody is enhanced with some soft saxophone notes. Kuniva is truly killing it.

Like a menacing whirlwind, words are spit in every direction on a rapid, rhythmic melody. Over Da Hood symbolizes all the Detroit ghetto is about.

Musical contrasts, slow and rapid flute notes alltogether that are mixed up with keyboard sounds will create a surprising effect in That Shizzle. The hammering piano and the incisive electronic sounds generate insecurity around the listener while Kuniva is chanting in the background. You will truly like the innovative musical techniques.

Straight Outta…is embued with the cold minded, tough Detroit spirit. Rhythmic as well, it includes some very valuable Skrilla Gorillas collaborations. Ready to get shot by their lyrical bullets? Face their talent and…your demise.

Among the songs I really liked, I highly recommend Chalkit How I Talkit. Offensive on purpose, the song makes Kuniva’s talent shine.

Gun Shot is beautifully managed with its hot, cadenced beats, its great variety of instrumentals. Cold steel lyrics, verbal venom spit directly from a hip hop mastermind…this is how Detroit boys do it! The Midwest is present in each of the song’s dimension. Detroit hip hop lovers will be delighted!

Lose Ya Life will ridicule any enemies. Verbal mastery is so dope here. You gotta give this song a listen.

Love Dat Lifestyle astutely combines bells, violins, keyboards and Kuniva’s murdering punchlines.

If you ever doubted what D12 artists can do individually, I’d highly advice you to give Midwest Marauders a deep listen. I bet you will change your mind quite instantly.

Listen to the mixtape here.
Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Four years ago, I’ve been granted the chance to interview Big Proof.

This interview has never ever been published…it has been done through Rude of IF just a few months before Big Proof died…Attention, please! This is from January 2006. Love you, Big Proof:)))

Proof interview Q & A’s

Deshaun Holton aka Proof aka Derty Harry, thanks for accepting this interview.

1. Many people know you as the D12 member, but less people know you as a solo artist. Is that the main reason that motivated you to create Iron First?

Yeah, it seems that the people forget the origin of D-12. All solo artist an who ever gets on comes back for the rest

2. What is the main difference between the D12 artist and the solo artist you actually are?

Basically too different perspective to speak from..

3. In your Searching For Jerry Garcia album -tight album, by the way- suicide seems to be a recurrent theme…can you tell us a little bit more about your fascination with suicide and about « Club ‘27 »?

It’s a metaphor, the death of Derty Harry, a cocoon state, its a new beginning… Club 27 is some spooky shit to me, a lot of incredible artists…

4. Besides your love for your hometown that is present in your Cds and mixtapes, what or who is your main source of inspiration?

Man life is the greatest inspiration, hands down.

5. D12 and Proof fans are familiar with your E.S.H.A.M track and have followed your beef with local rapper Esham. On your Grown Man Shit mixtape, you apologize to him. I have heard that both of you have reconciled in Detroit at your birthday party. Do you have some collaborations with Esham included in your future projects?

Yeah, me and Esham gonna do some work very soon.

6. I Miss The Hip Hop Shop that beautiful mixtape of yours recalls the days of the Hip Hop shop in Detroit. Back in the days, what do you miss most about the early stages of Detroit hip hop?

Wow! That’s an ill question … I miss the innocence, the vibe and the adventure.

7. What is the most difficult challenge you had to face in your whole career?
Separating the streets from the industry….

8. Besides D12, you have many collaborations with local artists at your active. Which Detroit artist (s) has (have) recently attracted your attention because of his (their) talent ?

Supa Mc, Woofpac, an J Hill. They all are very talented, an ,of course, Purple Gang.

Who are you keen on collaborating (whether on the local scene or on a national scale) with in a near future?

Mike from Alien Ant Farm, he’s a cool cat.

10. What kind of projects will you be working on after « Searching For Jerry Garcia »?

Hand to hand mix cd due out march 7th … P.G. album, Woofpac, Supa M.C. then Club 27, we just started on the 3rd D-12 album …. so be on the look out we coming full steam ahead.

Copyright©2006 by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

Deshaun Holton aka Big Proof wrote Time A Tell, a whole hip hop album, within 24 hours, just a few months before being savagely murdered at the CCC club in Detroit. Despite fame and his huge popularity in Detroit City and all over the world, Proof knew how to keep down to earth.With his simplicity and his full dedication to hip hop, his hard work, Proof has become the mere symbol of artistic integrity. With this very complete piece of work, Proof hasn’t left his auditors orphans: he is sharing his wonderful musical genius with his hometown and the rest of the world.

Each time I am tempted to give up on my passion, I look up to Proof. Then I know I have to keep doing my thing with the same flame, because we have to invest in our God-given gifts and allow the world to enjoy them as well.

Time A Tell is rich of many musical collaborations. We need to underline the participation of some skilled Detroit talents like Killa Kaunn, First Borne, Supa Emcee of Iron Fist, J-Hill, Mudd and Thyme of 5 ELA, Moe Dirdee and TY Farris, just to name a few.

The album is rhythmic, inventive with its numerous musical compositions, rich of atitute punchlines. Proof’s raspy voice stands out in the whole album. The Detroit legend is giving you some insight about the Detroit scene.

After a theatrical intro, you will be introduced into a touchy subject, Friends Ain’t Really Friends. The musical background has a rhythmic jazzy-soul touch. The listener will be reminded of Tupac and Biggie’s stories. Fakeness gets exposed in a genuine Proof lyrical rapping style. Thumbs up!

You Heard Of Us featuring Killa Kaunn and First Born is a swinging, offensive track in which the emcees’ skills are fully enlightened. The track gets grimy andd murderous. Enjoy the Detroit style!

Whole New Beginning features the brilliant Supa Emcee. The song is quite nostalgic. Words do matter in this one too.

Priceless combines trumpet and siren background sounds. Feel the dangerosity of hood life. I love the icy cold steel spirit put into his song.

I Think Of You is built on a soft musical background. There, Proof really excels in verbal fluency.

Most of you aready know Sincerly Proof, a track that had been leaked on the internet a short time after Proof passed away.

Pill Pop is written in a sarcastic style. I love the lyrics, Proof’s sense of humor.

Among the songs I really liked, I recommend you the Time A Tell track.
It is beautifully made and reeinforces the Detroit emcee’s know how. That’s how they do it…and they are really good at it!You go, Purple Gang.

You like it lyrical? Go listen to Verbal Spar where you will enjoy Woof Pac’s verbal storm.

Nearly 4 years have gone by since Proof passed away. But his music is pretty much alive. Time will tell you about Proof’s legacy. The emcee is one of hip hop’s most valuable jewels.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

You will be able to listen to Big Proof’s album here.
The album is hotter than hot! Enjoy:)

Isabelle

There’s a little bit of some Westcoast spirit in our Detroiters’ mind. Bizarre of D12 and the King Of Horrorcore King Gordy are inviting you for a chillout ride into their weed smoking universe. Whether you smoke it, inhale and exhale it, there is a relaxing mood in this video. Follow King Gordy and Bizarre on a very soft instrumental tune. just sit back and relax…because there is nothing better in life than a relaxed body and mind.

Let your sorrows and worries be, at the time being…close your eyes…then open them again, let a high Bizarre show you the clouds…

Vocally, Bizarre’s voice contrasts with the darker, grittier King Gordy voice. The soft melody guides you viewers to cloud 9…what a nice feeling of freedom. This song is truly the perfect Summer chillout hit. Fine girls are part of the feature too.

You will be able to find Bizarre’s new video on his official website.

Copyright© by Isabelle Esling
All Rights Reserved

I love the soft, rhythmic instrumentals they put into it…a review may follow soon:)

Many thanks to Barry ” Butter” Yett for this photo that recalls Deshaun Holton’s nice smile:)

Please don’t take this pic, as it is subject to copyright. PS:this is serious: you are exposing yourself to a lawsuit by the owner of the picture