D12 is a legendary duo from Detroit, Michigan, now consisting of Kuniva and Swifty McVay. The group’s history is storied, featuring a rotating cast of iconic figures including B. Flatt, Bizarre, the late Bugz, the late Dirtty Ratt, the late Eye-Kyu, their late de facto leader Proof, Killa Hawk, DJ Head, Fuzz Scoota, mR. pOrTeR, and most notably Eminem. As the first act to sign with Shady Records, their debut Devil’s Night remains a hometown classic, while their sophomore effort D12 World leaned into a more commercial sound. Now, two decades after the tragic passing of Proof, the group carries their legacy forward with their third album, D12 Forever, released under Compound Interest Entertainment.

The project opens with “My Salsa,” featuring an intro titled “Again, Another Public Service Announcement” produced by Jake Bass. The track samples “My Band” and sets the tone for a project that aims to deliver exactly what the hip-hop world has been missing. This is followed by “Tear It Down,” a hardcore single featuring B-Real and Xzibit. The album also offers poignant moments, such as “Proof & Eli,” which allows Derty Harry to shine posthumously alongside his son, Elijah Ble$$ed, and “Better Dayz,” a track centered on faith during difficult times.

The technical prowess of the duo is on full display throughout the record. On “Kill the Engineer,” Swift and Kuniva trade bars over a classic boom-bap instrumental, while “Tenderism,” featuring Method Man, sees the quartet returning to their hardcore roots. The production remains diverse, with “Dirty Nation” flipping the Funkadelic classic “1 Nation Under a Groove” into a carefree g-funk anthem, and “Still Hating,” featuring King Iso and Tech N9ne, delivering a gritty, aggressive sound.

The album also serves as a tribute to the group’s history. “Bugz ‘98” pays homage to their fallen member in the vein of “Bugz ‘97” from D12 World, while “Even Knights Kneel” explores themes of divinity and power over a rap-rock beat. “Nightmare Walking,” featuring Xzibit, includes a touching callback to “Kurt Kobain” from Searching for Jerry Garcia. The project concludes with “Forever,” a definitive statement on representing the team for life.

Despite Eminem’s declaration on “Stepping Stone” that D12 had reached its end, Swifty McVay and Kuniva have earned immense respect for keeping the group’s legacy alive. With rumors of a sequel to D12 Forever already circulating, it is clear that fans are eager for more. Jake Bass’ production captures the essence of the Dirty Dozen’s earlier output, and the performances here are arguably sharper than those found on the My Brother’s Keeper EP.

Score: 8/10