Arts Entertainments

A tribute to Proof’s prolific work on the Detroit scene

I would like to point out that Proof has marked the history of hip hop. I still miss his absence from the game.

NB: the list of tracks and songs mentioned in this article is not exhaustive … forgive me for the ones I might have missed.

Deshaun Holton was deeply ingrained in the Detroit scene. Eminem and D12’s overwhelming success, Proof, the ever-busy schedule never changed the man he was. Down to earth, sincere, true to his roots, Proof always kept his underground work active with local artists and worked hard to put Detroit hip hop on the map.

Deshaun Holton was the type of person who would not allow fame to affect his behavior towards other people. He wasn’t too proud to talk to a former friend or fan who would cross his street in Detroit or anywhere else.

In a decade and despite the fact that all his detractors could oppose him, Big Proof has done more than many artists during his entire career.

nineteen ninety six:

Big Proof may not be as noticeable as Tupac, his underground work resembles the underside of an iceberg – there’s more to discover than you really think. In fact, Proof’s musical work dates back to 1996.

Working together with DJ Head (former D12 DJ), the talented artist released a mixtape called WEGO mixtape. 5ELA’s Yester Years EP is also the fruit of a collaboration with Thyme and Mudd, who formed 5 ELA with Proof.

Deshaun Holton also had a special connection to the famous Trick Trick and his group Goon Sqwad. The same year, another CD titled From Death came out as a product of a common collaboration.

In 1996, Proof also released a Jay Dee-produced song called Da Science.

1997

Proof concentrated on working with his fellow D12 partners on the D12 Underground EP, a remarkable work characterized by a combination of crafty, crazy and dirty rhymes and frequent use of dark instrumentals like bass.

1998

In 1998, Proof and his fellow D12 members were actively working with Slim Shady on the Slim Shady EP.

On his already busy schedule, Deshaun Holton added some good quality work with dedicated hip hop artists from 5 ELA, Thyme and Mudd (Proof was also a member of the group mentioned above). The trio gave birth to various underground gems such as The Album That Time Forgot and 5E Pt 3.

Proof and Bugz also joined their lyrical endeavors on late artist Bugz’s underground classic, These Streets EP. These Streets EP is, by the way, very popular in the city of Detroit.

1999 to 2000

The years that followed Proof were very busy. Eminem’s overwhelming fame, constant touring, kept Proof very active on the scene, as Eminem’s over-the-top man.

2001

Regarding D12, one could hardly think of 2001 without thinking of the Devil’s Night album. Great success followed with the album’s release.

During the same period, Detroit’s Dirty Dozen released Detroit What! Mixtape. Glory, fame, and acclaim didn’t change Proof, who never neglected his local hip hop scene.

In 2001, Proof also combined some intense musical endeavors with his friend Kevin Bailey, also known as Dogmatic.

Promatic originated from the combination of the names of both artists: Proof plus Dogmatic equals Promatic. Both artists released the LP Promatic the same year.

2002

If you were already a fan or listener of Proof in 2002, parts of their projects were available and downloadable on their old website, Big Proof Dot Com. One such project was the EP Electric Coolaid Acid.

2004

Sometimes it feels so lonely at the top. Fame can alter the taste of simple pleasure and force you to do the things that you like least, but that are requested by the music industry.

At times, Deshaun felt that her entry into the mainstream sphere had left her with a bitter aftertaste. On I Miss The Hip Hop Shop, a brilliant mixtape featuring many local Detroit collaborations and productions, Big Proof expressed how much he regretted the golden age of hip hop he experienced at Maurice Malone’s hip hop shop.

2005

Maturity comes with age and experience. From there, you can look back at your mistakes and try to improve yourself. In Grown Man Shit Proof he began crushing a bloody meat with his long-term rival, acid rapper Esham. But Proof didn’t limit his attempt at reconciliation to words recorded on tape – his reconciliation with Esham actually happened at his last birthday party on October 2, 2006.

In Grown Man Shit, Proof also puts some puny local foes in their place and craftily ridicules them in a well-written song, with plenty of humor.

2006

In 2006, Proof released his LP Searching For Jerry Garcia, a CD that he had been working on for at least three years prior to its release. In Searching For Jerry Garcia, Proof reveals his relentless pursuit of true art, showing how difficult it is to be a true artist, in every sense of the term.

The same year, the Proof s Hand 2 Hand mixtape, a beautiful compilation of numerous Detroit talents, also came out.

Before his tragic death in March 2006, Proof made one last album, within 24 hours, which is titled Time A Tell. The album, which includes some collaborations with underground emcee Intrinzik, has yet to be released.

Throughout his career, Proof has been collaborating with numerous local Detroit talents. Among them, the famous Trick Trick and his Goon Sqwad, Jay Dilla, Hash, Purple Gang, Woof Pac, 5 ELA, Dogmatic, Royce Da 5.9, Slum Village, Malaki The Most Hi, Twiztid of Psychopatic Records and many more.

On a national scale, Proof has also worked with numerous influential artists including Cypress Hill’s B Real, 50 Cent, Nate Dogg, and Method Man.

Deshaun Holton’s short life is testament to his true love for hip hop. A love that no one can erase from the face of the earth.

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