D12 with Slum Village
Detroit rapper Eminem could easily focus his attention on his huge solo career (not to mention future acting roles), but the inflammatory MC still takes time out of his hectic schedule to record and tour with his crew of longtime partners in rhyme, D12. Featuring members Bizarre, Swift, Proof and Kon Artis, D12 was actually founded in the early '90s and added Eminem to its numbers thanks to his childhood friendship with Proof.
When Em's solo career took off with his huge debut, 'The Slim Shady LP,' he fulfilled a promise to his crew by signing them to his own Shady Records imprint and putting out 'Devil's Night' in 2001. Courting the same kind of controversy that has made Eminem the target of several parental watchdog organizations, the group first scored a hit with the pro-drug ditty "Purple Pills." Though none of the members of D12 can match the superstar rapper's deft wordplay and tongue-twisting rhymes, they do their best to pack as much profanity, mayhem and perversion into their songs as possible.
The group's latest album, 'D12 World,' has been riding high on the charts thanks to the tongue-in-cheek single "My Band," a humorous tune that stands far apart from the twisted, thugged-out vibe of the rest of the effort. Underground Detroit favorites Slum Village and Ric-A-Che open these two shows.