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Eminem Sells Shirts, Posters to Honor Proof

In the wake of rapper Proof's fatal shooting, Eminem vowed to look after his best friend's family, and to keep the memory of his D12 cohort alive. He's already making good on both promises, unveiling -- along with the rest of D12 -- BigProof4Ever.com, a website that offers commemorative T-shirts and posters bearing Proof's likeness. All proceeds are being handed over to the Big Proof Forever Foundation, which will offer financial assistance to Proof's five children.

"The legacy of Deshaun 'Proof' Holton will be forever remembered by all the lives that he has touched," reads a statement on the new website. "Pioneer of Detroit hip-hop, he was the glue that pieced together a whole city of artists and brought them to the eyes and ears of the world."

The shirts, available in a variety of colors, feature Proof's face on the front and the words "Big Proof Forever 1973-2006" on the back. The picture of Proof that appears on the shirts and the $45 poster was designed by iconic graphic artist Shepard Fairey, the man responsible for those purposefully vague Obey Giant stickers being plastered over every streetlamp in your city.

While the bulk of Eminem news of late has been non-music related -- his ongoing tributes to Proof, his divorce, and the announcement of his next starring vehicle on the silver screen (Have Gun Will Travel) -- the resting rapper did take the mic for a new verse during a Busta Rhymes remix at the BET Awards. How did a rusty Slim Shady rate? Busta called it "one of the biggest highlights of my career."

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
07.10.06