MUSIC REVIEWS
Proof - Searching for Jerry Garcia
Josh Brown
Back when D12 dropped their first album, I knew right away who the front man would be for the group if Eminem wasn't in the picture. Proof stood out like Professional athlete playing for a Rec league. Proof was easily the most well-rounded, smoothest sounding rapper out of the five other group members, and his natural ability mixed with his rough voice was hard not to notice.
I knew right away that if any other member of D12 was going to release a solo album, Proof would be the one. He was the best at freestyling, the most creative metaphorically, and had the largest underground following. Combined with the fact that he was obviously Eminem's right hand man, Proof would be an easy sell to the public.
Well, years passed without much noyse coming from Proof. He made a cameo in the 8 Mile movie (and had, in my opinion, the best battle freestyle of the movie), but that was about it. He came out with some underground mixtapes, including "I Miss the Hip Hop Shop," but was still well under the mainstream radar.
When I discovered that Bizarre would be the first D12 member to release a solo album, I was pissed. Why would the record company waste their time on the worst member of the group, the sideshow act of the circus, while easily the most deserving member was doing nothing but mixtapes? It didn't make sense to me, and still doesn't.
After "Hannicap Circus" dropped, I'm sure it was made quite clear that Bizarre was not worthy of a solo album, as his release did miserable numbers and got no love from any critic in the country. But there was a glimmer of sunshine, as I discovered shortly after wasting money on Bizarre that Proof was FINALLY coming out with a full album. I couldn't wait, and thought it was a bogus report, but alas, my dreams came true and Proof dropped his mainstream debut solo album, "Searching for Jerry Garcia."
When I first picked up the album, the thing that struck me first was the artwork. Both the cover of the album and the booklet artwork was phenomenal, not like any other CD booklet I have seen before. It was visually appealing which almost seemed to make me that much more anxious to listen to the album.
Then I noticed something strange. The album wasn't released by Shady Records or Aftermath, and seemed to have no affiliation with either company. There was only one song on the album featuring D12, one with group member Mr. Porter, and that was it. No production from Eminem, no guest appearances from Eminem, nothing. It appeared, unlike Bizarre, that he was trying to put out an album on his own, without riding the coattails of his famous best friend.
I couldn't have been more pleased.
After listening to the album several times through, everything I hoped the album to be was reality. While some of the production almost seemed unfinished, it was an enjoyable listen. I heard a few people complain that he had too many features on the album, but I don't think that any of them took away from the quality of the work.
I was dissapointed, however, that he had 50 Cent on the album, but he mainly used him for his chorus ability, which I can tolerate. He did have Mr. Hook himself, Nate Dogg, on as well, indicating that he knows all too well about the influence of a catchy hook.
Proof shows his versatility throughout the album, ranging his topics from pimps and hoes, to appreciation for his best friend Eminem, to the hardships of life, drugs, and a variety of other issues. My personal favorite song on the album, however, is "Jump Bitch," a ballad to depressed teenagers contemplating suicide. His message is simple: If you are thinking about suicide, just fucking do it if you're going to be a pussy and kill yourself, then don't be a pussy about killing yourself. Just jump bitch.
The album is 20 tracks long with only three skits, so it is a pretty fluid, long-lasting album. Overall, it was well worth wait. I only wish that I didn't have to listen to Bizarre throughout an entire album before I got to with Proof.
But hey, that's the music business, I suppose.
