Re:D12's Sharp-Witted Rap Doesn't Feel Empty Without Em
D12's sharp-witted rap doesn't feel empty without Em
If you're looking to replace a member of a rap group, it never hurts to have a friend in high places. It also doesn't hurt if that friend happens to be Eminem. Such is the case for D12, which found success a few years ago thanks to the help of Mr. Mathers.
On its second album, "D12 World," the Detroit rappers attempt to prove they aren't just riding the coattails of their most famous member, and for the most part they succeed.
The group, consisting of Proof, Kuniva, Swift, Bizarre, Kon Artis and Eminem, did its best to show its got skills too during a performance sans Slim Shady at The Showbox Friday night.
Flanked on each side by two imposing bodyguards, they spewed sharp-witted rhymes about violence, partying and drugs while dancing between verses and slapping hands in the crowd.
The short, 50-minute set began with "Get Up," a song that usually features Eminem. D12 made up for Slim Shady's absence by rapping over his hooks and letting the crowd sing Em's parts.
Throughout the night Proof proved to have the most microphone skills and was the most interactive with the crowd. During one song he leaped into the audience and rapped while crowd surfing, and during "Purple Pills" he ran to the bar area of the club and posed for pictures with fans while spitting out rhymes.
While Proof was easily the most talented and charismatic, Bizarre was the crowd favorite. The plump dumpling of an MC made his entrance wearing a bright pink fur coat and his trademark shower cap hat, and he chugged a beer before beginning "40 Oz."
For "My Band" the group mimicked its clever video by including choreographed boy band dance moves. Before the set ended with "American Psycho," upcoming solo albums from each rapper were plugged. The albums could actually distinguish the members of D12 from Eminem.
Fellow Detroit rapper King Gordy started the show with rhymes that were good only for shock value, not cleverness or intelligence. The duo Slum Village, also from Detroit, followed Gordy with a quick set of feel-good songs.
Bone Crusher, the only non-Detroit rapper on the bill, kept the feel-good vibe alive with elastic beats so grandiose they almost matched his stout stature.
At one point the robust rapper led the crowd in an anti-Bush chant. But he kept in the spirit of good times when he followed his statement by telling the crowd that being crunk (hip-hop slang for being intoxicated) is something that comes from within. The message wasn't unappreciated, because most of the crowd was already pretty crunk to begin with.