On this day, April 11, in hip-hop history...

John Sciulli, Getty Images
John Sciulli, Getty Images
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2006: On April 11, 2006, DeShaun “Proof” Holton was tragically killed at the CCC Club in Detroit, Michigan. Proof’s legacy and music, however, lives on. Proof played a pivotal role in Detroit’s underground hip-hop scene. He hosted battles at the famous Hip-Hop Shop and was one of the most recognizable members of D12. His raspy voice and vivid lyrics were trademarks on D12’s two albums — Devil’s Night (2001) and D12 World (2004). He also released his final solo album in 2005, Searching For Jerry Garcia.

Proof was killed in the CCC Club after a fight broke out between him and another bar patron over a pool game. Proof and a man named Keith Bender broke out into a fight and according to police, Etheridge, Bender’s cousin, fired two warning shots in the air to break up the fight, but the shots caused Proof to pull his gun and shoot Bender and Etheridge in return shot Proof four times at close range.

XXL celebrates Proof’s contributions to hip-hop by featuring some of his best videos and songs on the 11th anniversary of his death. Rest easy, Proof.

D12 "Fight Music" Devil's Night Interscope, 2001

D12 "My Band" D12 World Shady Records, 2004

Proof "Know Ya Name" I Miss The Hip Hop Shop Iron Fist Records, 2004

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