Six years ago today, D12 member Deshaun Holton, a.k.a. Proof, was shot and killed outside the CCC Club on East Eight Mile Road in Detroit. He was 32 years old. Proof was an influential person in Eminem’s life. He was portrayed by Mekhi Phifer as “Future” in 8 Mile. In the days following Proof’s death, Eminem released a statement revealing the loss he felt:

“He pushed me to become who I am. Without Proof’s guidance and encouragement there would have been a Marshall Mathers, but probably not an Eminem and certainly never a Slim Shady. Not a day will go by without his spirit and influence around us all. He will be missed as a friend, father and both the heart and ambassador of Detroit hip-hop.”

As Eminem mentioned in the statement, Proof was widely considered as the ambassador of Detroit when it came to music. Royce da 5’9″ paid tribute to the fallen MC on his album Success is Certain.

On the song “Security,” Royce raps “The truth is, I was at Proof’s funeral, cryin’ like a baby.” Listen to the record below.

Eminem also remembered his friend on his 2010 album Recovery in the song “You’re Never Over.”

Proof released his debut album, Searching for Jerry Garcia, in 2005. Below, you can watch part 1 of the bonus dvd that came with the special edition of the album. R.I.P. Big Proof, October 2, 1973 – April 11, 2006.

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