All five members of D12 bear a tattoo of his name somewhere on their bodies in remembrance of him. The album also included a song titled 'Bugz '97', which was a 1997 recording of Bugz, originally from the song 'Desperados'. In memory of Bugz, the group recorded the track 'Good Die Young' on their second album D12 World. This eventually led to Eminem becoming a member of D12 again. After Bugz's death, Eminem asked if he could substitute for Bugz to help them out and do some shows with them which they were booked for prior to Bugz's death. Unfortunately, a few weeks after Swift joined, Bugz was killed, and the rest of D12 couldn't cope and started to believe it was over. One of the last things Bugz had asked Proof was to allow Swift to join D12. The attack was caught on tape and shown on the local news later that night.ĭ12 was shaken by the incident, darkening the light mood of the rap collective. Bugz was shot three times and hit by the assailant's vehicle as he fled the scene. As the argument escalated, the man went to his SUV and retrieved a firearm which he then fired in Bugz's direction. Bugz argued with a man over a water-pistol fight. Before a show in Detroit, D12 member Bugz attended a picnic which would end with his death.

The group toured with Eminem after they signed with Shady Records. He then made D12 the first act to be signed to Shady/Interscope Records. As a way to establish D12, he created Shady Records under the Interscope imprint. Having taken Dre's advice, he had established himself as a solo artist and decided it was time to gather his friends. In 1999 he released his hit debut The Slim Shady LP and quickly rose to super stardom as The Slim Shady LP went on to sell four million copies in the United States. Dre told him to first establish himself as a solo artist, then go back for his friends. Dre once stated that while making The Slim Shady LP, his debut album, he kept insisting that he go back to sign the others. Dre and Interscope CEO Jimmy Iovine, and he was quickly signed to Aftermath/Interscope records. After he recorded an independent lP called The Slim Shady LP in 1997 that caught the attention of famed rap producer Dr. The first member of the group to achieve solo success was Eminem. D12 were in need of one more member, until Bugz asked to have his long time friend Swift, who at the time was already a member of the rap duo Da Rabeez to join. Bizarre again joined, but Eye Kyu had decided not to. Kuniva then introduced Bugz to Proof who later joined the group. Kon Artis was just the producer for D12 at the time, but was later convinced to join D12 as an artist after his partner Kuniva decided to join the Dirty Dozen. The other half of Da Brigade was formed by local MC Kuniva. Da Brigade featured longtime Eminem and Proof friend Kon Artis, who also produced Eminem's first album Infinite. Proof managed to pick up local Detroit hip hop duo Da Brigade to join. Proof was set to find other local rappers to join the group. Right about when Eminem got a deal, Proof decided to start D12 up again. Eminem then later left to pursue his solo career after being heard by Dr. D12 went through many changes during its beginning stages - leaving only four official members: Proof, Bizarre, Eminem and Eye Kyu for a long while. Fuzz in particular did not get along well with Proof (as stated by Eminem in his book Angry Blond). Proof won a freestyling competition run by The Source in 1998.īefore the group had any success, Killa Hawk and Fuzz left the group due to various reasons. He went on to release an album called Attack Of The Weirdos and become an honorary member of The Outsidaz with Eminem, Rah Digga and Young Zee.

Bizarre was named Inner City Entertainment's 'Flava of the Week'. During 1997, and continuing throughout 1998, several members began making names for themselves in Detroit. Kuniva became Hannz G., which later became Rondell Beene. At some point afterwards, most-likely early 1997, Eminem created the Slim Shady concept. Eminem and Proof eventually decided to 'fall-back' on the wild-west concept. This was Eminem's first Dirty Dozen alter-ego. When Eminem found out Proof took that name, he decided on Billy The Kid. However, when Eminem, Proof, Eye-Kyu, Bizarre and a few others who were members at the time, were unable to find 12 Rappers who were good enough, Proof decided in order to have 12, the then 6 members would create an alter-ego. The original concept of D12 was to have 12 of Detroit's most talented Rappers. The group was a loose collective in the vein of Wu-Tang Clan. Proof formed D12 as a rap collective of local Detroit MCs including Bizarre, Eminem, Eye-Kyu, Killa Hawk, Fuzz and himself.

Death of bugz video