D12 slides from Detroit to Ottawa

Thursday night Ottawans relived the golden era of hip-hop as Kuniva and Swifty MacVay of D12, as well as guest Obie Trice, delivered a memorable performance at the Bronson Centre in Ottawa.

The Bronson Centre in downtown Ottawa reverberated with the beats of hip-hop nostalgia as D12, the iconic rap collective, took the stage for a special performance celebrating the 20th anniversary of their album “D12 World.” Despite the absence of some original members, Kuniva and Swifty MacVay captivated the audience with their raw energy and timeless hits.

The night kicked off with a seemingly unending supply of local rappers like This is Affy and Mistah Jones, setting the stage on fire with their energetic performances, complete with money launchers and confetti cannons. They certainly did a good job hyping up the crowd and getting them ready for the official opener Obie Trice.

Trice was signed to fellow Detroit rapper Eminem’s Shady Records in 2000. Trice’s debut album, Cheers, was released in 2003 and contained 17 tracks with production from Eminem and Dr. Dre to name a few. Artists featured on Cheers included Busta Rhymes, Eminem, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg, and D12. The album was eventually certified platinum. Trice also featured on the track Hennessey on Tupac Shakur’s posthumous album Loyal To The Game. In 2005, Trice’s car was shot six times and one of the bullets hit him in the head. He was taken to Hospital and released later that day. Doctors contemplated whether or not to remove the bullet. As it was too dangerous to operate, the bullet is still lodged in his skull. He sauntered on to the stage and delivered a solid, albeit slurred performance that left his fans wanting more, but left the rest of us contemplating how far he has fallen since his early successes. The tributes to fallen comrades was touching however and Obie would of course perform the original track, the crowd shouting out the lyrics “Obie Trice, real name, no gimmicks!” as he got into his verse.

D12 was up next and they delivered what their classic Hip-Hop fans had come to see. DJ Invisible’s piano intro to “Rap Game” from the 8 Mile soundtrack ignited a frenzy of excitement among fans. Swifty MacVay and Kuniva seamlessly transitioned from hardcore tracks to the comedic “Nasty Mind,” with DJ Invisible adding his own flair, earning the playful moniker “DJ OnlyFans.” A standout moment came when guitarist Dirty Jake, son of The Bass Brothers’ Jeff Bass, graced the stage. With guitar riffs from classic Eminem songs, the crowd erupted into a spontaneous rap-along, reminiscing on the iconic hits of yesteryears.

Despite a minor scuffle outside the venue before the show, the concert hall was filled with a mellow vibe once the music started. While the crowd could have been more energetic, many opted to capture the rare live performance on their phones, knowing the significance of witnessing D12’s classics in person. For Eminem enthusiasts, this concert was a cherished journey into a chapter of his career often left behind. While hopes linger for future reunions with other D12 members, witnessing Kuniva and Swifty MacVay deliver their best was a testament to the enduring legacy of their music.

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