Eminem led tributes to his close friend and D12 bandmate Proof, aka Deshaun Holton at the rap star's funeral in Detroit on Wednesday. Speaking to a church packed with mourners, Eminem said "Without Proof, there would be no Eminem, no Slim Shady and no D12." He swore during his tribute, later apologising for "cussing in church”. Fellow rapper Obie Trice added a plea to end violence in the hip-hop community, saying: "We're killing each other, and it's about nothing."
In his eulogy, Reverend Wendell Anthony said: "Our community suffers the loss of another young man, who reflects the fact that those whom we love are dying too soon and leaving too quickly. The other family has also suffered a loss. Two families - both now grieving, a community now grieving."
As previously reported, Proof was killed during a fracas at the 333 Club on the city's Eight Mile Road. A second man, Keith Bender, subsequently died as a result of gunshot wounds sustained during the incident.