Axehole

Another rapper has come to a violent end.

Rapper Deshaun Holton, aka Proof of the group D12, was shot and killed Tuesday morning at a Detroit after-hours club.

Holton was dead on arrival at St. John Conner Creek hospital in Detroit. He was 32.
According to NBC News affiliate WDIV Holton suffered a gunshot wound to the head at the CCC Club on East Eight Mile Road, near Gratiot Avenue. By the time police arrived, the club had been cleared out, but several witnesses have come forward to discuss the incident with investigators.

Police are searching for the suspected gunman; a description has not been made available. Detectives have asked that anyone with any information on the shooting come forward.

Proof was among the most pivotal players in Detroit hip-hop, and revered as one of the battle rappers in the city - the man who would handle anyone who dared to challenge him in a war of words. He befriended Eminem long before he was a household name, and was a nearly constant presence as the rapper rose to superstardom - including as the best man at his January wedding.

Proof was friends with many of the top hip-hop DJs, radio personalities, rappers and producers in Detroit. A number of them were planning to gather with his family at the hospital Tuesday morning, including Eminem, Obie Trice and Marv Won from the Detroit group the Fat Killahz.

“He was a very charismatic person,” says Detroit rapper Hush, who opened for D12 on spot dates during last summer’s Anger Management Tour. “He was definitely a personality. You never knew which Proof you’d get when you’d meet him. You might get the guy that’s real humble. You might get the comedian. You might get MC. Or you just might get Deshaun. He was a man of all hats. There was a lot to him that made up his character. He was a really good person.”

Proof was an important part of Detroit’s hip-hop scene, helping to create D12 and to bring Eminem to stardom. He also hosted a national search for rappers for Showtime Networks. D12 was scheduled to begin recording its third album this month.

“His family and friends would appreciate privacy during this difficult time,” said a statement from Interscope Records, Eminem and D12’s label.