Swifty McVay and Kuniva of D12 Perform D12 Hits, Talk About Eminem

Swifty McVay and Kuniva Perform D12 Medley, Talk Relationship with Eminem

Posted on By

In a recent appearance on CadillacChroniclesTV, hosted by Brian Freeman, D12 members Swifty McVay and Kuniva, accompanied by DJ Invisible, took a deep dive into the legacy of the Dirty Dozen. The veteran Detroit emcees revisited the group’s high-octane history, performing a medley of their greatest hits including “My Band,” “Git Up,” “Rap Game,” “American Psycho II,” and “Fight Music.” Beyond the music, the interview served as a candid look at the group’s formative years and the raw competitive spirit that defined the Detroit hip-hop scene before they reached global superstardom.

The duo shared legendary stories from the underground circuit, highlighting the competitive fire that even existed between friends. Kuniva recalled a pivotal moment of lyrical combat with a young Eminem, illustrating that their bond was forged in the heat of competition. “Me and Eminem battled back when I was 19. He tore my a-s up but we were battling,” Kuniva admitted with a laugh, while Swifty McVay added, “I was there.” Kuniva further emphasized the foundation of their careers, stating, “That ‘s where we come from. We are MCs. That’s our passion.”

Reflecting on their meteoric rise, they touched upon the early days of touring when the luxuries of fame had yet to reach the entire collective. Kuniva painted a vivid picture of their humble beginnings and the camaraderie that kept them grounded. “When we first started out, it was a whole bunch of s–t, you know, we didn’t have dressing room. We were like ‘oh, man, we gotta pay our dues.’ We hanging out in front of Em’s dressing room like it’s a corner store, chilling out, drinking in front of Marshall’s dressing room and we ain’t have one,” he shared. This lack of pretension allowed them to lean into the “My Band” era irony, where they famously poked fun at the media’s perception of their dynamic.

Despite the years that have passed and the evolution of their individual careers, the loyalty between the members remains unshakable. They addressed the “sidekick” narrative head-on, choosing instead to embrace their shared history with pride and gratitude. “We were just poking fun of ourselves and how the media portrayed us as Eminem’s homeboys and his background singers and all the rest of the s–t and we just threw it back to their faces. That part is who we are. We will always be associated with that and we always grateful. Em’s our big bro and we love that about our group. How me and Swifty still represent and Em still got that love for us and we still got that family type of bond with him,” Kuniva concluded.

Looking toward the future, the group (Kuniva and Swifty McVay) is preparing to add a new chapter to their storied discography with the upcoming album, D12 Forever. The project aims to honor the legacy of fallen member Proof while proving the remaining Dirty Dozen still possess their signature lyrical bite. Fans have already caught a glimpse of this new era with the lead single “Tear It Down,” featuring West Coast icons Xzibit and B-Real. Produced by Jake Bass, the track serves as a bridge between the group’s classic Detroit roots and a modern, aggressive sound, signaling that while the lineup has changed, the D12 spirit is indeed eternal.