Proof (rapper)

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Proof holding a microphone to the camera
Proof in August 2005
Background information
Birth name DeShaun Dupree Holton
Also known as Big Proof
Born (1973-10-02)October 2, 1973
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Origin Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan United States
Genres Hip hop
Occupations Rapper
Years active 1992–2006
Labels Iron Fist Records, Shady Records
Associated acts D12, Goon Sqwad, 5 Elementz, Promatic, Soul Intent, Obie Trice, King Gordy

DeShaun Dupree Holton (October 2, 1973 – April 11, 2006), better known by his stage name Proof, was an American rapper and actor from Detroit, Michigan. During his career, he was a member of the groups Goon Sqwad, 5 Elementz, Promatic, and most notably, D12. He was a close childhood friend of rapper Eminem, who lived on the same block. In 2006, Proof was shot and killed during an altercation at the CCC nightclub in Detroit.

Early life[edit]

Holton was born to Pepper Holton, a single mother. His father, McKinley Jackson, was a music producer who left to pursue his career prior to Holton's birth. Holton grew up in Warren, Michigan where he met childhood friend and future musical collaborator Marshall Mathers, who would later rise to fame as Eminem.

Music career[edit]

Originally known as Maximum, under the moniker "Proof", Holton first rose to national prominence as a part of the rap group D12, a hip-hop group he was instrumental in forming. Early individual accomplishments include being featured in The Source's "Unsigned Hype" column in 1999 and nearly winning the 1998 Blaze Battle. His first television appearance was in the video for Aaliyah's "Age Ain't Nothing But a Number". In 2000, Proof toured with Eminem, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg in the Up In Smoke Tour, performing as a hype man for Eminem. He gained further exposure in 2001 with the release of Devil's Night, D12's debut album on Interscope Records. The following year, Proof collaborated with Dogmatic on "Promatic" and joined Eminem's "Anger Management" tour in support of the release.[1] He appeared in the film 8 Mile along with Eminem and Xzibit, although the character based on him, Future, was portrayed by Mekhi Phifer. Proof appeared as Lil' Tic, a freestyle rapper who rap battles the lead character, B-Rabbit, played by Eminem.[2] To capitalize on the publicity from the film, Proof released a six-song EP called Electric CoolAid: Acid Testing.[3] Proof also starred in a cameo role, alongside the rest of D12 (except for Eminem), in The Longest Yard, appearing as "Basketball Convicts" during the credits.[clarification needed]

Solo work[edit]




On April 11, 2006, Proof was shot four times by Mario Etheridge, after an altercation broke out during a game of billiards at the CCC Club on 8 Mile Road in Detroit, Michigan. A pool game between Proof and Keith Bender turned into a heated argument and then escalated into a physical altercation. Etheridge, who was Bender's cousin, fired a warning shot into the air. There have been many conflicting reports about Proof and Keith Bender's roles in the shooting, but it was reported that Proof then shot Bender in the head during the altercation.[9] Bender was not immediately killed by the gunshot but died a week later from his injuries.[10] In response to Proof allegedly shooting Bender, Etheridge then shot Proof four times, twice in the head and twice in the back, killing him at the scene. At the time of his death, Proof's blood alcohol content was 0.32, four times the legal DUI limit. An autopsy revealed that he did not have any illegal drugs in his system. Proof's lawyer, David Gorosh, accused the police and the media of being "reckless" for suggesting that his client fired the first shots without having any hard evidence. A few weeks after both men's death, Bender's family began a wrongful death suit against Proof's estate.[11][12] Authorities determined that Etheridge was acting lawfully in defense of another; however, he was found guilty of carrying an illegal firearm and discharging it inside of a building.[13]

On April 19, 2006, Proof was buried in the Fellowship Chapel in Detroit to a full house of 2,660, including long time friend Eminem, Royce Da 5'9, R&B singer Dina Rae and thousands more mourning outside.[14]



Main article: Proof discography
Solo albums
Discography with D12




  1. ^ "Proof: Reviews, Discography...". June 18, 2004. Retrieved April 12, 2006. 
  2. ^ "8 Mile (2002)". Retrieved April 12, 2006. 
  5. ^ "DeShaun Holton: Information". Retrieved April 12, 2006. 
  7. ^ "The Proof Is In The Music". 

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]