Eminem has taken some time to reflect on his relationship with best friend Proof on the 20th anniversary of his death.
On Saturday (April 11), Em took to X to post a lengthy message, expressing his shock at two decades having passed since the D12 rapper was shot and killed at the age of 32. Addressing his late friend by their mutual nickname, "Doody," Em went into depth about Proof's impact.
"Doody, can't believe it's been 20 years since you've been gone! Not a day goes by that I don't think about you in some way shape or form," Eminem 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."
He went on: "I feel like that happened for a reason. Ever since the day I met you sitting on the steps of Osborne [sic - Osborn High School] when I was handing out flyers and we rapped for each other and instantly bonded that day and never looked back!! 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!!"
Eminem raps about this very meeting on his 2004 track "Yellow Brick Road," recalling that he got Proof's attention by rhyming "birthday" and "first place." The Detroit legend concluded his message by reaffirming his sincere adoration for his friend.
"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!!!" he wrote. "Until we meet again my friend I love you doody!!! Love, doody."
Proof was killed in a 2006 shooting when he got into an argument at a nightclub that escalated into gunfire. A pool game turned into a tense altercation, which resulted in club bouncer Mario Etheridge shooting the Detroit MC three times.
Another person to post a message in remembrance of Proof was Paul Rosenberg, Eminem's longtime manager.
"Definitely not my favorite time of the year, and this one is especially 'difficult'. Forever grateful and humble to have known, grown and worked with such a great man. Can’t believe it’s been two decades," Rosenberg wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo of him and Proof.
Last August, it was announced that Proof’s music was back under the management of his family. His former manager (and brother-in-law) Mark Hicks revealed the news while speaking about him on the Hoodsmokers podcast.
"The one thing that fans can feel really happy about is that Proof’s eldest son and his wife, they’ve got a lock back on his catalogue and his estate," said Hicks. "When you stream on Spotify or YouTube, know that his children and his wife are over it."
"They’ve got it in control now," Hicks continued. "It was so many years that it was like, this person had it, that person had it. It was like playing Whac-A-Mole. You didn’t know who had it."
Hooks estimated that Proof had between 300 and 400 songs in the vault.
