D12 (band)

D12
D12 at the Anger Management tour in 2005
Background information
Also known as	The Dirty Dozen
Origin	Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Years active	1996–2006; 2008–present
Labels	Shady, Interscope
Associated acts	Obie Trice B-Real Dr. Dre G-Unit Trick Trick Dina Rae
Website	d12world.com
Members	Eminem Bizarre Kuniva Swifty McVay
Past members	Bugz Proof Fuzz Scoota

D12, an initialism for The Dirty Dozen, is an American hip hop group from Detroit, Michigan. D12 has had chart-topping albums in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. D12 was formed in 1996, and achieved mainstream success after Eminem rose to international fame. The original lineup consisted of the members and their alter egos. This is where Slim Shady came from. D12 released the album Devil's Night in 2001 and D12 World in 2004, spawning numerous hits such as "Fight Music", "Purple Pills", "My Band", "How Come" and "Shit on You" throughout that period. Since 2006, Eminem's hiatus and the death of the member Proof resulted in them being less active in subsequent years.

In order to make up the dozen, it was decided the six members at the time would each create an alter-ego. Proof's was Dirty Harry, Bizarre's was Peter S. Bizarre, Kuniva's was Hannz G. (which later became Rondell Beene), Kon Artis's was Mr. Porter, Bugz' was Robert Beck and Eminem created the famous character Slim Shady.

In 1997, they released their debut album, The Underground EP, which was recorded between 1996 and 1997. In 1997 and through 1998, its members began establishing reputations locally. Bizarre was named Inner City Entertainment's "Flava of the Week" and went on to release an album called Attack of the Weirdos. Along with Eminem, Rah Digga and Young Zee, he became an honorary member of The Outsidaz. Proof won a freestyling competition run by The Source. In 1999, Bugz released an EP called These Streets EP, and made several appearances on other rapper's songs.