(Iron Fist/Shogun)

The hip hop scene seems rather conflicted when it comes to Proof and D12. Whilst heads have come to accept Eminem’s commercial success, D12 are constantly written off as Shady’s shadows, the less talented of the bunch that have been brought up by Em, almost out of sympathy. Whilst their lyricism is nothing short of stupid, like Eminem, they do stupid in a witty way. They bust raps about bitches, drinking, drugs and all the rest of it but they structure it well, play on words, utilise chemistry and have a tight sense of flow and delivery. For what they are, playful gangster rappers, they are certainly some of the best.

The way in which one can listen to rappers like Jay Z and Nas and accept their arrogance is the way that one can listen to D12 and accept their frivolity. The majority of people that can listen to a 50 record and leave their high hopes for hip hop supremacy at the door will thoroughly enjoy his record. Forget the elitist shit and the commercial airplay, if music makes you move then it makes you move. D12 are never going to be EPMD or put out a record like 36 Chambers, but for a glossy, exuberant recording they are one of the best choices.

Proof has always been the standout for me. He excelled on Devil’s Night and despite the step backwards for the group with the D12 world release, he still managed to shine with his verses on Bitch and Get My Gun. He has released a few mixtapes over the years, namely the Big Proof mixtape and Grown Man Shit but Searching For Jerry Garcia is his first solo LP offering and the first release on his own Iron Fist Record label.

Jerry Garcia is a much more introspective offering than Proof has offered on D12 records. Proof as a solo artist has much more to prove and much more to say, we get a much better idea of where he is and where he has come from and certainly what he is capable of. That said, the majority of the album is still very gangster heavy, guest appearances from 50 Cent, Method Man, B-Real, Obie Trice, Nate Dogg & D12 can almost guarantee that.

After all my praise of Proof, this album doesn’t go out of it’s way to cement my beliefs, initially I was disappointed but with time & patience the gems were revealed & Proof came into his own.

Forgive Me is a story well told of Proof’s childhood, dysfunctional family & the apathetic life he has lead. It also showcases a more sensitive side of Proof where he examines his friendships, relationships & the notion of love. Whilst it can become a little clichéd, his lyrical abilities continue to make it interesting, even 50 on the hook sounds soulful. Proof’s story telling is such that the track flows impeccably.

Gurls wit Da Boom is the polar opposite, a straight up sex joint a la Candy Shop that is guaranteed commercial airplay, after some censorship. It embodies the bling that Forgive Me strays away from whilst getting more ass & titties than the playboy mansion. Expect to see it on Video Hits.

No T Lose showcases Proof’s sneaky short of breath style and his double time abilities, Black Wrist Bro’s is a definite highlight. The beat & lyrics are shit hot and Proof throws in a Diddy diss with ‘On some Bad Boy Puffy shit, fuck Sean’. Better late than never.

Kurt Kobain is an amazing track, a suicide letter similar in concept to Biggie’s Suicidal Thoughts but far more sentimental. This is easily Proof’s most solid straight hip hop cut from the beats to the hook to the structure, if Proof wasn’t such a gangster he could be a classic hip hop artist and Kurt Kobain is where he shows us that.

Somewhere in between is Pimplikeness featuring D12 which employs the funkiest beat on the album with some crazy bass guitar. The track is gangster does suave and whilst we are still presented with somewhat juvenile & substance lacking lyricism it’s a great rolling, funky pimp jam that keeps the listener amused.   

And somewhere in between that there are hits & misses, unforgettable & forgettable joints & cuts, laced with a sense of pride & ownership over Detroit. Amidst the patriotism there is a distinct desperation to stray away from Shady, Aftermath, D12 & all the other record deals he could have handed to him, and in turn the success he could have had guaranteed himself. It took me a few listens but I’m really enjoying it, don’t buy it if you want rocket science raps of classic minimal Premo production, but if you want a solid gangster record then chances are you’ll enjoy it.

The bonus DVD is crazy, even for just an insight into the extent of Proof’s ADD. Some great footage of video shoots, concerts, D12, Eminem, Proof being Proof and even Meth & B-Real in the studio. Definitely worth a listen and a watch.