What started as a fierce rap battle at The Hip Hop Shop ended with Kuniva earning a spot alongside Eminem in D12.
Before rocking stages together as part of D12, Eminem and Kuniva went head-to-head in a rap battle that left a lasting mark on Detroit’s hip hop scene. On February 17, 1996, 29 years ago, none other than Big Proof, the heart and soul of the Detroit battle scene, was hosting a face-off.
Kuniva, who would later join forces with Em and Proof in D12, took to social media to reflect on that day:
“I wonder if I still look like I seen a ghost?🤣🤣 One of the greatest moments of my life. That loss set me up for the ultimate win…joining D12!”
At the time, nobody could have predicted what was coming next. That battle gives us a glimpse of Eminem’s hunger and skill, which set the stage for his rise in the underground rap world. But for Kuniva, it was also a turning point that eventually led him to become part of the Dirty Dozen.
D12 would dominate the early 2000s with Devil’s Night and D12 World, both of which went double platinum. Their wild antics, sharp lyricism, and undeniable chemistry made them a force in hip hop, winning them awards and worldwide recognition.
While the group became less active after Proof’s passing in 2006, and Eminem later confirmed their disbandment with “Stepping Stone” in 2018 on “Kamikaze”, their legacy remains. And it all started with moments like that fateful night in 1996 — when a rap battle was not just a competition but the beginning of something legendary.
