Eminem has honored his longtime friend and collaborator Proof on what would have been the late rapper’s 53rd birthday.
On Friday (October 2), Em took to social media to share a heartfelt birthday tribute alongside a photo of himself with the late D12 rapper, whom he affectionately referred to as “Doody.”
“Remembering and celebrating your life Doody today and always!!! Happy Bday Big Proof,” the Detroit legend wrote in his caption. Proof, whose real name was DeShaun Holton, was born on October 2, 1973.
Eminem’s birthday tribute comes nearly six months after the 20th anniversary of Proof’s death, when he took a moment to reflect on their bond.
“Doody, can’t believe it’s been 20 years since you’ve been gone! Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you in some way shape or form,” he wrote on social media at the time. “You were and are still truly one of the greatest friends I ever had in my entire life and I thank God everyday that he put us in each other’s lives.”
He went on to say: “I feel like that happened for a reason. Ever since the day I met you sitting on the steps of Osborne when I was handing out flyers and we rapped for each other and instantly bonded that day and never looked back!! My life would never have taken the trajectory it took had I not met you. Thank you for always believing in me like I always believed in you!!”
Proof was fatally shot in 2006 following an argument at a nightclub that spiraled into gunfire. What began as a game of pool escalated into a heated confrontation, leading club bouncer Mario Etheridge to shoot the Detroit MC three times.
