Today, April 11, marks 20 years since the passing of DeShaun “Proof” Holton, the charismatic “Mayor of Detroit” whose influence as the founder of D12 helped define an era of hip-hop. He is remembered for standout solo tracks like “Kurt Kobain” and “Forgive Me” from his 2005 album Searching for Jerry Garcia, as well as his iconic verses on D12 hits like “Purple Pills” (2001). Beyond the music, his legendary childhood friendship with Eminem was the bedrock of the Shady Records legacy, with Eminem often crediting Proof’s early “co-sign” and unwavering loyalty as the reason he ever found success in the Detroit battle scene. #proof #eminem #detroit #8mile #90s