Bizarre | |
---|---|
Bizarre in May 2008
|
|
Background information | |
Birth name | Rufus Arthur Johnson |
Also known as | Bizarre Kid |
Born |
Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
July 5, 1976
Origin | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Rapper |
Years active | 1995–present |
Labels |
|
Associated acts |
Rufus Arthur Johnson (born July 5, 1976), better known by his stage name Bizarre, is an American rapper, best known for his work with the Detroit-based hip hop group D12.
Bizarre was born Rufus Arthur Johnson on July 5, 1976 in Detroit, Michigan. Bizarre grew up living with his single mother. He started rapping when he was in fifth grade. His teacher thought he was talking to himself, and began calling him 'Bizarre'. In 1995, he joined the rap group D12 with neighborhood friends DeShaun "Proof" Holton, Carnail "Bugz" Pitts, and Von "Kuniva" Carlisle. He also met Marshall "Eminem" Mathers through Proof. Bizarre used to attend a club on Friday nights called 'The Shelter' in Saint Andrew's Hall, where rap battles were held.
Bizarre featured on D12's first EP in 1996 titled The Underground EP, before going on to release his debut solo EP titled Attack of the Weirdos in 1997. In 2001 D12 released "Devil's Night" the debut album by D12. In 2004 he was a part of the second studio album of D12 titled "D12 World". Bizarre then released his first official studio album in 2005 titled Hannicap Circus. Hannicap Circus received mixed reviews, however they were mostly bad. He also appeared on Eminem's compilation album Eminem Presents: The Re-Up, on a track called "Murder" that also featured Kuniva, released in December 5, 2006. Following the death of rapper Proof in April 2006, D12 became inactive for some time.
In 2007, Bizarre released his second studio album called Blue Cheese & Coney Island. In 2008, Bizarre and D12 recorded their first official mixtape titled Return of the Dozen. A sequel titled Return of the Dozen Vol. 2 followed in 2011.