Bizarre
A founding member of D12 and early associate of Eminem from Detroit.
Rufus Johnson, known professionally as Bizarre (formerly Bizarre Kid), is an American rapper born on July 5, 1975, in Detroit. Raised by a single mother, he began rapping in the fifth grade after a teacher mistook his muttering for self-talk and dubbed him 'Bizarre Kid.' Around 1996, Proof invited Bizarre to join D12 alongside Kuniva, Kon Artis, and Bugz of Da Brigade. Through Proof, he met Eminem, who was then Proof's friend and collaborator. After releasing his own EP, Attack of the Weirdos, in 1997, Bizarre appeared on D12's debut EP The Underground EP in 1996. Following Bugz's murder in May 1999, Eminem officially joined D12 (though not as a direct replacement for Bugz), with Swifty McVay joining afterward as a decision by the group. Bizarre featured on 'Amityville' from The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) and D12's chart-topping debut Devil's Night (2001), which sold 372,000 copies in its first week. His solo career includes Hannicap Circus (2005) and Blue Cheese & Coney Island (2007). After Proof's death in April 2006, the group went inactive for a time. Bizarre currently resides in Detroit and frequently collaborates with fellow rapper Sindee Syringe.
- Debut Era
- 1996
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Bizarre's journey began in Detroit's underground scene, where he attended rap battles at 'The Shelter' in Saint Andrew's Hall on Friday nights. His role in D12 was pivotal during their formative years, evolving from a local neighborhood friend to an honorary member of the Outsidaz alongside Eminem. The group faced tragedy in May 1999 when Bugz was shot hours before a concert; this event led to Eminem's official induction (though he did not directly replace Bugz) and Swifty McVay joining afterward as a decision by the group. Their debut album, Devil's Night (2001), recorded in memory of Bugz, debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 with 372,000 sales, featuring hits like 'Purple Pills' and 'Fight Music.' In 2004, D12 released D12 World, which included Bizarre's solo track 'Just Like U'. Following Proof's death in April 2006, the group became inactive for some time. Bizarre maintained his presence through reality TV appearances on Celebrity Fit Club in 2006 and continued releasing music, including the 2010 album Friday Night at St. Andrews, which focused on conscious, reality-based situations from his early life.
In Their Own Story
In August 2017, Bizarre signed with Majik Ninja Entertainment after The Keepaz of the Krypt released 'Diaries of the Whack Emcees' featuring him; the track garnered over 1 million SoundCloud plays in its first week. Tensions rose in September 2018 when Bizarre joined Eminem in releasing a diss track titled 'Love Tap,' aimed at Machine Gun Kelly, Jay Electronica, and Joe Budden during their beef with Joe Budden. He also revived his label Redhead Records on July 9, 2018, naming Danny Mellz as the first act besides himself. His creative output remained prolific, releasing the mixtape This Guy's a Weirdo in 2012 and Lace Blunts 2 in March 2014, featuring Fuzz Scoota, Rittz, and King Gordy. In October 2019, he dropped his second EP, Rufus, and announced a duo mixtape with Hopsin titled 'Leatherface Mixtape.' His career spanned international collaborations, including 'Fuck the DJ' in 2014 featuring Coolio and Adil Omar, and a feature on Czech rapper Schyzo's track 'Lubrikant' in May 2020. In July 2024, he surprised fans with a guest appearance on Eminem's twelfth studio album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), on the track 'Antichrist.'
Reader's Guide
Bizarre operates as the chaotic wildcard within D12, balancing the group's technical lyricism with unpredictable performance art. His discography reflects a shift from the shock value of Attack of the Weirdos to the conscious storytelling of Friday Night at St. Andrews (2010). He has consistently collaborated with Detroit peers and global artists, appearing on tracks like 'Murder' on Shady Records' The Re-Up in 2006 alongside Kuniva. Fans should note his role in forming hip-hop duo The Davidians with King Gordy, currently signed to Majik Ninja Entertainment as Last American Rock Stars. His mixtape series, including Lace Blunts and Freestyle Fridays (2025), showcases his versatility across decades. He has also ventured into podcasting with 'The Bizarre World Podcast' on CBS/Entercom. Key listening points include the 1998 EP Attack of the Weirdos, the D12 album Devil's Night for its tribute to Bugz, and the 2024 surprise feature on 'Antichrist.' His resilience is evident in his ability to adapt from the late 90s underground to modern digital releases while maintaining ties to his roots.
Did You Know?
- Bizarre got his stage name from a fifth-grade teacher who thought he was talking to himself and started calling him 'Bizarre Kid'.
- D12's debut album, Devil's Night (2001), sold 372,000 copies in its first week, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200.
- The song 'Gospel Weed Song' from Bizarre's 2005 album Hannicap Circus was played during the credits of Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.
- In 2006, Bizarre appeared on Celebrity Fit Club Season 3 and lost 31 pounds.
- Bizarre formed a duo called The Davidians with King Gordy, which is signed to Majik Ninja Entertainment under the name Last American Rock Stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bizarre?
Bizarre, born Rufus Johnson in 1975, is a Detroit rapper who earned his nickname after a teacher mocked his muttering as strange behavior. He became a founding member of the group D12 and an early collaborator with Eminem through their mutual friend Proof.
What role did Bizarre play in D12?
As one of the original five members, he brought a chaotic, eccentric flow that contrasted with the group's other styles. He contributed to their debut underground EP and helped establish the collective's signature raw sound alongside Eminem and Proof.
How did Bizarre meet Eminem?
He was introduced to Marshall Mathers by his close friend and fellow rapper Proof around 1996. This connection led to him joining D12, where he frequently collaborated with Eminem on tracks before the group's mainstream success.
Why is Bizarre important in hip-hop history?
His unique persona and willingness to perform controversial subject matter helped define the edgy aesthetic of the Shady Records era. He remains a key figure for understanding the origins and early dynamics of D12.
What happened after Bugz died?
The murder of fellow member Bugz in 1998 deeply affected the group, leading to a period of mourning that temporarily halted their momentum. Despite this tragedy, Bizarre continued his career with D12 as they eventually signed with Shady Records.
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