Proof (R.I.P)

DeShaun Dupree Holton (October 2, 1973–April 11, 2006), better known as Proof, was an American rapper and member of the rap group D12. Proof was a long time friend and publicity assistant of Eminem, with nicknames Big Proof, P, Derty Harry, and Oil Can Harry. Proof began his career in Detroit's Hip Hop Shop organizing freestyle tournaments. It was there that he met and proposed forming a clique with several other members that would later become the group D12.

Although Proof first rose to national prominence as a part of the rap group, D12, he had been quite successful on his own. Most notably, he was featured in The Source's Unsigned Hype column in 1999 and came close to winning the 1998 Blaze Battle. His first television appearance can be seen in the Aaliyah video "Age Ain't Nothin' But a Number". He rose to prominence in 2001 with the release of Devil's Night, D12's debut album with Interscope Records. The following year, Proof collaborated with Dogmatic on Promatic and joined Eminem's "Anger Management" tour in support of the release. He also appeared in Eminem's semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile; although in the film his character was portrayed by Mekhi Phifer, he appeared as Lil' Tic, a freestyle rapper who trounces the lead character with his battle verse. Filmography - Proof's appearance in 8 Mile Proof was the only rapper in the film to authentically freestyle his verse[citation needed]. To capitalize on the publicity from the film, Proof released a six-song EP called Electric Cool-Aid: Acid Testing. Proof also had a cameo along side the rest of an Eminem-less D12 in "The Longest Yard" (2005) appearing as "Basketball Convicts" in the credits. Proof's release of Searching for Jerry Garcia did not make a significant impact on the charts despite its list of guest appearances and Proof's well known lyrical flow. DeShaun Holton's father was once involved in the music industry and produced records by acts including Tower of Power. In an interview, however, Proof once referred to his father as a 'crackhead' and it has been alleged that his mother was also involved in drugs. He attended Gesu private school in his youth before enrolling at Osborn High on Detroit's east side. He formed his first rap group, the 5 Ela, with his friends Thyme and Mudd, then the influential Goon Sqwad, which featured Stylz, Trick Trick and DJ OC. He truly left his mark, however, at designer Maurice Malone's Hip Hop Shop, where he MC'd freestyle sessions on Saturday afternoons. Local and national talent, from the Notorious BIG to Redman and Method Man passed through the shop, eager to battle with Detroit's finest.


Death:

On April 11, 2006, Proof was murdered by a fatal gunshot wound to the head at approximately 4:30am EDT (08:30 UTC) at the CCC Club on 8 Mile Road in Detroit, Michigan after fatally shooting U.S. military veteran Keith Bender Jr.
Although unconfirmed to date, it was reported that Proof fired the first shots into Bender's head after taking his pistol and striking Bender several times in the face. According to the coroner, Proof had an alcohol content of 0.32.The eruption is suspected to have been due to an argument over a game of pool, which escalated. Proof was then allegedly shot by the bouncer Mario Etheridge, Bender's cousin. He was then taken by private vehicle to St. John Health's Conner Creek Campus, an outpatient emergency treatment site, and pronounced dead shortly thereafter. Exact details of his death and the events that led to it remain unclear.
Bender's family began a wrongful-death suit against Proof's estate. During the course of this suit, and in a subsequent magazine article, an alternative description of events emerged.
An XXL article that interviews Mudd (a friend of Proof who allegedly witnessed the shooting) offers an alternative viewpoint to the media reports.
Mudd claims the shooting was done by Mario Etheridge, who initially discharged his weapon into the air to break up a fist fight between Proof and Bender. Proof responded in kind, wrestling Mudd's weapon from him and likewise discharging the weapon into the air. As he fired, Proof was tackled by Bender and the two began to fight on the ground.
Etheridge then fired repeatedly at the pair on the ground, killing them both. Mudd further alleges that the initial testimony of Proof firing first were corroborated by Etheridge's companions to keep him (Etheridge) out of jail. Whether or not this is true is debatable; however this is the testimony that Mudd presented under oath at the wrongful-death suit brought against Proof's estate.
When quizzed as to why he had not brought any of this information to light before the trial, Mudd responded that he feared retaliation.
Proof was buried on April 19 in The Fellowship Chapel, Detroit to a full house of 2,000 with thousands mourning outside. Eminem and Obie Trice read eulogies at the service.
An excerpt from Eminem's eulogy: "I'm sure everybody who has ever met him, even just once, can testify to the fact that he illuminated a room when he walked in it. I believe that Proof loved people and people loved him. He was a magnet. He lured you in. You wanted to learn about him, follow his swagger. Without Proof, there would be no Eminem, no Slim Shady, and no D12."
Many rap artists offered their condolences to Proof's family after the passing. Proof is survived by his mother Sherallene; father McKinley; fiance Autumn; sons DeShaun Rice, Nassan, Nyeem and Elijha Abel; and daughter Katieva Walker.
Obie Trice has released a new song that pays tribute to Big Proof entitled: "Ride With Me". Dina Rae has provided vocal samples for the song. The song has been circulating the internet. Fellow Detroitain Esham has provided fans with a new unreleased song "So Crazy" on his podcast 10. A few months before Proof died, he recorded a song with DJ Ray O'Shea called "I'm From Detroit (Remix)" featuring Boss, Esham, Malik, Big Herk, etc. quoting: "These are not Air Force One's, these are Bathing Apes."
The last song Proof ever recorded was only weeks before with Detroit horrorcore group Twiztid of Psychopathic Records. The duo has stated that the track will be released on their forthcoming album, Independents Day, on July 3, 2007.