D12 also known as D-12 and The Dirty Dozen is an American hip hop group from Detroit, Michigan. D12 has had chart-topping albums in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. D12 was formed in 1996, but only achieved mainstream success when one of its members, Eminem, rose to international fame and notoriety. D12 has sold over 10 million albums worldwide.

D12 was the original concept of Detroit MC Proof as a local rap collective. It has included, amongst others, Bizarre (Rufus Arthur Johnson), Eminem (Marshall Bruce Mathers III), Eye-Kyu, Bugz (Karnail Paul Pitts) Proof (DeShaun Dupree Holton) and Presto Genie (Preston Randell Huddleston II). The idea was to form a Dirty Dozen of Detroit's most talented rappers, in the vein of Wu-Tang Clan. Initially however, they had problems finding this many rappers locally with enough talent. Rappers such as Fuzz Scoota, Killa Hawk, B-Flat and Dirrty Ratt were all once affiliated with D12, but most left the group during its early stages. According to Eminem's book Angry Blonde, Fuzz in particular did not get along well with Bizarre.

In order to make up the dozen, it was decided the six members at the time would each create an alter-ego. Proof chose Dirty Harry, Bizarre became Peter S. Bizarre, Kuniva became Hannz G. (which later became Rondell Beene), Denaun chose Kon Artis, Bugz became Robert Beck and Eminem created the character Slim Shady.

In 1997 and through 1998, it's members began establishing reputations locally. Bizarre was named Inner City Entertainment's "Flava of the Week" and went on to release an album called Attack of the Weirdos. Along with Eminem, Rah Digga and Young Zee he became an honorary member of The Outsidaz. Proof won a freestyling competition run by The Source. During this period members of the group were seen getting into a fight with three strangers outside of a Detroit bar in 1998.

D12 went through many changes during the early days even becoming temporarily inactive when, after being heard by Dr. Dre, Eminem left to pursue a solo career. Around the time of Eminem's first record deal, Proof attempted to bring new life to D12. He managed to recruit local Detroit hip hop duo Da Brigade which was composed of longtime friend of Eminem and Proof Denaun and local MC Kuniva. At the time Denaun Porter was the group's producer and later produced Eminem's first album Infinite, but was persuaded by his partner Kuniva to join him in the group as an artist. Later the group was joined by Bugz and needing one more member, Bugz introduced his long time friend Swifty, who at the time was a member of rap duo Da Rabeez.
The first member of the group to achieve solo success was Eminem. After he recorded an independent EP called The Slim Shady EP in 1997 that caught the attention of famed rap producer Dr. Dre and Interscope CEO Jimmy Iovine, and he was quickly signed to Aftermath/Interscope. Eminem stuck to his pact, and Dr. Dre once stated that while making The Slim Shady LP, his debut album, he kept insisting that he go back to sign the others. Dr. Dre told him to first establish himself as a solo artist, then go back for his friends.

In 1999 he released his hit debut The Slim Shady LP and quickly rose to super stardom as The Slim Shady LP went on to sell four million copies in the United States. Having taken Dre's advice, he had established himself as a solo artist and decided it was time to gather his friends. As a way to establish D12, he created Shady Records under the Interscope imprint. He then made D12 the first act to be signed to Shady/Interscope Records. The group toured with Eminem after they signed with Shady Records.

Prior to a show in Detroit, Bugz attended a picnic at which an incident took place that led to his fatal assault. An argument with a man over a water-pistol fight escalated, the man went to his SUV to retrieve a firearm which he then fired in Bugz's direction. He was shot four times as well as being hit by the assailant's vehicle as he fled the scene. The incident, on May 21, 1999, was captured on video and shown later that day on local news.

Members of the group were shaken by the tragic incident, darkening the mood within the collective. One of his final acts had been to request that Swifty join the group. Unfortunately, a few weeks after Swifty joined, Bugz was killed. Many of the remaining members started to believe the group was finished. Following the death of Bugz, Eminem volunteered as replacement in order to fulfil the groups forthcoming obligations. This led to Eminem eventually rejoining the group.

In memory of Bugz, the group recorded the track "Good Die Young" on their second album D12 World. The album also included a song titled "Bugz '97", which was a 1997 recording of Bugz, originally from the song "Desperados". All five members of D12 bear a tattoo of his name somewhere on their bodies in remembrance of him. The group recorded their first LP Devil's Night in his memory. Eminem's second album The Marshall Mathers LP was also dedicated to Bugz.

On April 11, 2006, Proof died from a gunshot wound at a club in Detroit, after fatally shooting Keith Bender, Jr., after an argument over a game of pool. Proof was then shot by the bouncer Mario Etheridge, Bender's cousin. At St. John Health's Conner Creek Campus, he was pronounced dead on arrival shortly thereafter. He was buried on April 19 in The Fellowship Chapel, Detroit, to a full house of 2,660 with thousands mourning outside.

On April 21, 2006, Swifty was arrested in Novi, Michigan, after he failed to appear in court. He skipped the court date to attend fallen group-member Proof's funeral, where he served as an honorary pallbearer. Swift was on probation from a drunk-driving case and served two days in jail in October 2005 for failing a drug-test when they found alcohol in his blood stream. Swift was sentenced by District Court Judge Brian MacKenzie to 93 days in jail for violating terms of his probation. His incarceration stalled the recording process of D12's third album, and prevented him from appearing in magazine interviews or being reached for comment on Proof's death. He was then released and worked on the third D12 album.