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Eminem lost a best friend and rap lost a great entertainer on this day in 2006 when rapper Proof of D12 was shot and killed at a Detroit club at the age of 32.

Proof, real name DeShaun Dupree Holton will always be remembered as being instrumental in forming D12 as well as a great freestyle battle rapper, having particpated in numerous competitions in Detroit and the Blaze battle.

Eminem says his friend was the best freestyle rapper he's ever seen.

"Everything back then was all about battling if you wanted to make a name for yourself," Eminem told Red Bull a few months ago talking about the Detroit battle scene he and Proof came up in. "There were battles every couple of months where anybody trying to make a name for themselves would come out.

I don't know who the greatest freestyler in the world is today, but I know that the greatest freestyler I've ever seen in my life is Proof," Eminem continued. "He might use one line in a sixty second battle that was something that he had that was premeditated, but everything else would be spontaneous. I've never seen anybody be able to have that kind of gift and ability to do that."

Proof's mom Pepper Holton, formed The Proof Foundation to keep his name and memory alive. Tonight they will hold a candlelight vigil and tribute at the Shelter in Detroit.

R.I.P. Big Proof