ÍøÆغÚÁÏ

He became a famed mainstream/house producer and remixer by the 1990s, but Ralphi Rosario will forever be known as the author of house's most infectious hit, "You Used to Hold Me," as well as his status as a member of the illustrious Hot Mix 5 radio team that consistently lit up Chicago's WBMX during the 1980s with the best house tracks of the day. The Hot Mix 5 also had a record label, which released "You Used to Hold Me" as well as crucial Rosario follow-ups like "Pieces" and "I Want Your Love." He hit the dance charts consistently during the late '80s and '90s for labels including NiteGrooves, Henry St. and Jus' Trax. A 1994 re-release of "You Used to Hold Me" brought dozens of remixes, including Masters at Work, Danny Tenaglia, Hula & K. Fingers, DJ Hyperactive and Maurice Joshua. Rosario has himself remixed and produced for Pet Shop Boys, Gloria Estefan, Deee-Lite and Debbie Gibson. ~ John Bush

Though Proof never enjoyed much national prominence beyond his membership in D12, the rapper was a pivotal figure within Detroit, energizing the local hip-hop scene in the years predating his unfortunate death in 2006 at age 32. Born DeShaun Holton, Proof was undoubtedly best known for his close relationship with Eminem. The two Detroit rappers were not only part of D12 -- the six-man group that initiated Eminem's rise -- but were best friends, their friendship going all the way back to high school.

Proof was such a pivotal figure in Detroit because he often hosted battle-rap competitions, most notably at the famed Hip-Hop Shop, where he hosted Saturday afternoon sessions for years. He later hosted Fight Club, a similar event. Moreover, he was an active participant, nearly winning the 1998 Blaze Battle contest. Such notoriety earned him The Source's 1999 Unsigned Hype award. Proof's role as the city's key battle-rap figure inspired the character Future, portrayed by actor Mekhi Phifer in the Eminem-starring film 8 Mile. (Proof played the character Lil' Tic in the film.)

In addition to his credits as part of D12, who recorded two full-length albums including his membership, Devil's Night (2001) and D12 World (2004), Proof recorded a solo album, Searching for Jerry Garcia (2005), and a collaborative album with Dogmatic, Promatic (2002). He also released numerous mixtapes and even founded his own record label, Iron Fist Records, which was well showcased by Hand 2 Hand: Official Mixtape Instruction Manual (2006).

Proof died April 11, 2006, the victim of gunfire at the after-hours club CCC on Eight Mile Road in Detroit. The unfortunate occurrence struck the surrounding Detroit rap community especially hard, as it was still reeling from the likewise tragic loss of super-producer Jay Dee, aka J Dilla, who had died just two months earlier. Furthermore, much was made of Proof's role a year earlier in Eminem's "Like Toy Soldiers" video, which had featured a narrative based upon the hypothetical shooting of Proof, funeral and all. The actual shooting of Proof gave the video a new, chilling resonance, as if it were an omen. ~ Jason Birchmeier