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Eminem paid tribute to the late Proof two decades after the Detroit rapper passed away.
On Saturday, April 11, the seasoned artist, born Marshall Mathers, posted several throwback photos of himself with DeShaun Holton, a.k.a. "Proof," along with a lengthy message. Em calls Proof "Doody" while rehashing some of their cherished memories.
"Not a day goes by that I don't think about you in some way shape or form," Em wrote. "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.. 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!!" he continued. "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!!"
"We had such an amazing ride together and I will never forget you and what you did for me and my self-esteem and confidence every time you cosigned for me at every club and open mic we ever went to!!" Em said. "Your credibility was enough to open people's minds to not judge me until they heard me and you were one of the first ones who got people to listen before they passed any judgment!!"
Proof was in Eminem's corner from his battle rap days in Detroit to the peak of his career in the early 2000s. He founded the rap group D12 in 1996 and dropped his own mixtapes. D12 achieved mainstream success with Eminem thanks to songs like "My Band" and "Purple Pills." He even appeared alongside Eminem in his 2002 film 8 Mile and The Longest Yard. Proof's life was tragically cut short in 2006 after he was shot and killed during a dispute at a nightclub in Detroit. He was only 32.
"I love you doody you will always be my best friend no matter how much time passes and I will never forget you as long as I live!!!" Em concluded. "Until we meet again my friend I love you doody!!! Love, doody."
Proof's son Nasaan, who's also an accomplished rapper, honored his late father with his own tribute. In his Instagram post, Nasaan shared vintage photos of his dad with Eminem, along with a throwback clip from a past interview.
"20 years without you today wow 💔," Nasaan wrote. "Where does the time go man. fly high pops love you ❤️🕊️