Nearly 30 years after they were taken, never-before-seen photos from the legendary Hip Hop Shop in Detroit have surfaced, offering a rare look at the place where Eminem and Proof honed their skills.
The Detroit Free Press just published a set of images from an open mic session on May 20, 1995, capturing the unique energy and close-knit community that helped shape Detroit’s rap scene. Shot by Patricia Beck and rediscovered in the newspaper’s film archive, the photos spotlight 21-years-old Proof in his element, taking part in a Saturday battle at the west-side boutique.
The Free Press quotes Rosenberg, who, talking to them in 2003, recounted one mid-’90s rap battle he witnessed at the Hip Hop Shop: Eminem and Proof had both made it to that afternoon’s final-round showdown, set to go head-to-head. The two opted to drop out and call it a draw. “They were too close as friends”, Paul recalled.
At the time, no one could have predicted the role this small shop on 7 Mile would play in hip hop history. But it is where Eminem and Proof built their bond, and where Detroit’s underground talents like J Dilla, Slum Village, and DJ Head found space to shine.
The Hip Hop Shop closed in 1997, but its legacy and the artists it launched still echo worldwide. These photos take us right back to where it all began.
See the whole collection and read more about the place.
