Eminem, 50 Cent, Dr. Dre All Part Of D12's World
01.23.2004 1:57 PM EST


50 Cent, Eminem and Dr. Dre are all expected to have new albums out by the end of the year. But the next big push for hip-hop's reigning dynasty will be with the dirty boys of D12.

The Detroit rap crew, which includes mentor Eminem as one among six, is putting the finishing touches on its second album, D12 World. According to a record-label spokesperson, the album is due in April with an as-yet-undetermined single hitting the streets in March.

The rappers Bizarre, Proof, Kon Artis, Kuniva and Swift join Eminem throughout the album. And look for D12 to keep their cameos in the family. While the final list is still waiting to be confirmed, look for 50 Cent to be featured on some of World. 50 Cent has rocketed from relative obscurity to worldwide fame since D12's 2001 debut, Devil's Night.

The presence of 50 Cent and Eminem will certainly raise expectations for D12's second effort, as will that of empire patriarch Dr. Dre, who produced a couple of World's tracks. When not taking shots at The Source, Em has also been sharpening his beatmaking skills, and a large chunk of World music will come from his hand.

Denine Porter, a.k.a. D12's Kon Artis, shares the bulk of production duties. Porter's no stranger to hits, having rigged the steel-drum beat for 50 Cent's "P.I.M.P." and G-Unit's flashy "Stunt 101" singles.