FRIENDS & FANS PAY FINAL RESPECT FOR PROOF

by **SCAR-FACE** » Apr 19th, '06, 14:11

After mourning the death of Proof for a week, hundreds of his fans and friends came out Tuesday to view his body, which was placed inside a gold-toned casket at Fellowship Chapel on Detroit's west side.

On Monday night, some of Proof's most famous friends had a private viewing of his body. Members of D12, including Eminem, were there the night before the public viewing to pay their respects to their former band mate. Bizarre was unable to make it on Monday, and early Tuesday afternoon was brought in through a back entrance of the church, and the doors were closed to the public for about 10 minutes.

Proof was dressed in same kind of outfit he'd wear in music videos or around town. A Detroit Pistons jersey -- No. 1 Chauncey Billups -- autographed by several players, was draped over Proof's body.

On either side of the pulpit, two large video screens showed continuously looped video footage of Proof in music videos, on stage in concert or just clowning around. He was surrounded by a huge collection of floral arrangements, including some sent by Geffen Records and Interscope Records, the latter label being the home of D12.

Outside of the service, local rappers, friends of Proof and those who worked with him at his Detroit-based Iron Fist Records label made plans for how they would honor their friend at today's service. They all decided to wear Kangol caps and black T-shirts that have his image silk-screened on the front and the words "Big Proof Forever 1973-2006" on the back.

R.I.P. PROOF