D12

World renowned hip-hop artists 'D12’ were back in the UK after a 4 year absence, ending their European and UK tour in London’s o2 Academy, Islington. Their last UK date saw them play to many eager dedicated fans, old and new, where they presented a lively performance, consisting of 'D12’ members 'Shifty,’ 'Kuniva’ and 'Bizarre’, with a guest addition to the show from 'Maestro’ and with 'Mace’ as their DJ.

Known for their controversial lyrics, their two platinum chart-topping albums and handful of top five UK hits, 'D12’ did not disappoint and delivered an energy driven show with a combination some new material and old, well known tracks such as 'Puple Pills,’ 'American Psycho’ 'My Band.’ and 'S**t On You.’ The songs they delivered were loud-mouthed, fast paced rapping at its best, with catchy sing(rap)-a-long choruses and notorious subject lines to remember.

As Mace introduced D12 on stage he requested 'two’s up for Big Proof' and 'get your middle fingers up.... make some mother f***ing noise for D12' which gained an eager reaction from the crowd, in time for Swifty, who ran out on stage first with his hands waving to and fro – emulated by the cheerful masses. The second D12 member to grace the stage was Kuniva who came on shouting 'pistol pistol' as they plowed into another track. 'Murder Murder’, was Bizarre’s cue, as he strolled out to join the other two, sporting his trademark pink shower cap, copied by several fans. Lastly, Canadian solo hip-hop artist Maestro, who joined D12 throughout the tour, arrived on stage with funky party glasses and a bow tie, shouting yet another repetition of: "make some mother-f***ing noise for D12."

Although Eminem was not present in the show, DJ Mace filled out the vocals in songs like 'My Band’ where his voice is clearly heard contributing to the famous, tongue-in-cheek chorus line 'I don’t give a damn if you don’t like my s**t, cos I was high when I wrote this so suck my d**k.'

With frequent audience questions such as 'how many mother-f***ers smoke weed? How many mother-f***ers drink alcohol?, ..... how many mother-f***ing psycho’s out there?' and requests for the audience to 'put their middle fingers up', D12 know how to bridge the gap between the norm and controversy – a main part of their attraction and show. A band who was helped to fame by original member and producer, Eminem, aka Slim Shady, prosper on media attention of the controversial lyrics and subject matter of their songs.

At a break during tracks, Bizarre confessed that he doesn’t drink, and after letting the confused audience ponder this for a few seconds, he explains that instead he 'pops pills', inevitably leading into their most famous song to date – 'Purple Pills,’ again featuring inserts from 'Slim Shady’. If we were able to measure the overall enjoyment, energy and ability to lose oneself in the music, than these guys would produce a high dose.

Half way through the set, 'Swifty 'made a tribute to deceased member 'Big proof’ by asking audience members to hold their phones or lighters in the air, which they respectfully honoured. A member (or three) down or not, those present still know how to show the world that they’re back, they’re proud, and they’re swearing just as much as before. The gang shared their stage presence equally amongst them and show a level of territory only possible in a hip-hop show. This is THEIR gig and we know it.

A band who admittedly feed off the energy from the crowd, D12 give London a show to remember, with fans dancing, smoking, choking, drinking and all the bits in between, even some unceremonious fan exits (courtesy of the burly security guards), which may have been something to do with the prominent smell of weed emitting from the centre of the audience. Their song 'F**k You’ told so many fans what they needed to hear - it was for all the non believers out there who didn’t think that D12 would be back, well they are, so the message from D12 to all those non-believers: "F**k You!"