Eminem remembers his childhood friend and his first ever fan Proof on the 20th anniversary of his death.
On Saturday, April 11, the rap legend took to Instagram to write a heartbreaking tribute to the person who helped launch his career.
“Doody, can’t believe it’s been 20 years since you’ve been gone! Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you in some way shape or form,” wrote Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III. “You were and still are truly one of the best friends I’ve ever had in my entire life and I thank God every day for putting us in each other’s lives… I feel like it happened for a reason.”
The Rap God the hitmaker reflected on the day he first met Proof at Osborne and the pair hit it off instantly after rapping for each other.
Born DeShaun Dupree Holton, Proof had already made a name for himself in Detroit’s hip-hop scene. In 1996 he founded the supergroup D12 aka The Dirty Dozen with Eminem, Bizarre, Mr. Porter and Eye-Kyu. He also had a small role in Eminem’s breakout project, 8 miles.
“My life would never have taken the path it did if I hadn’t met you,” Eminem continued in his tribute, thanking his late friend for always believing in him. “We had such an amazing ride together and I will never forget you and what you did for me and my self esteem and my confidence every time you signed for me at every club and open mic we ever went to!! Your credibility was enough to open people’s minds to not judge me before they heard me and you were one of the first people to make people listen before passing judgement!!”
Ending the tribute, Eminem wrote: “I love you, you’ll always be my best friend, no matter how much time passes and I’ll never forget you as long as I live!!! Until we meet again my friend, I love you doody!!! Love, doody.”
Bevis tragically died on April 11, 2006, at the age of 33, after he was shot at a Detroit nightclub on Eight Mile following an argument.
