How to go
Who: Bizarre performs with Sidekick Complex and others
Where: Canal Public House, 308 E. First St., Dayton
When: 10 p.m. Friday
Cost: $10
More info: www.canalpublichouse.com
Bizarre first gained attention as a member of D12, the same group that spawned Eminem, but he’s no second fiddle. The rapper, performing at Canal Public House on Friday, has maintained a more consistent and productive solo career than most of his crewmates.
Bizarre’s new EP, “Dab Life,” was just released.
Embracing the myth: Before he became known as Bizarre, the rapper, born Rufus Arthur Johnson, went by the moniker Disaster Mass Murder. He took his current name from a school teacher who called him bizarre because she thought he was always talking to himself. In fact, he was actually working on rap routines. He embraced the name in his rhymes and in his over-the-top, life-of-the-party persona.
Team building: Bizarre, who was born in Detroit, on July 5, 1976, cut his teeth as a battle rapper in Detroit, which is where he first met Marshall "Eminem" Mathers. They formed the rap group D12 in 1996 with fellow battle rappers Kuniva, Kon Artis, Bugz and Proof several years before Eminem broke through as a solo artist.
Personality disorders: The name D12 was inspired by the film "The Dirty Dozen," but the letter D is also a nod to the group's hometown of Detroit. There aren't 12 members of the crew only six, with each member representing two different distinct personalities in the songs such as Eminem and his alter ego Slim Shady.
What's that on your head?: For much of his career Bizarre was recognizable as the heavy set and heavily tattooed MC with a shower cap on his head. It started as a joke but became a regular part of his stage wardrobe. Today, Bizarre favors knit caps, wigs and other headgear but claims to still own more than 5,000 shower caps.
Fighting his demons: D12's first single was "Purple Pills," a song about pharmaceuticals. Of course, living your art will take its toll. In early 2014, Bizarre released the song "Pray for Me," in which he frankly discussed his addiction to prescription pills.
You put what on your cheek?: Bizarre is also recognizable from the marijuana leaf tattoo on his face. In early 2014, he told a radio interviewer he was having the marking removed because he was interested in exploring some acting roles. The tattoo is still visible in recent photos and videos.
He's always turned up: Despite his pill addiction, Bizarre remains the life of the party. The lead track from "Dab Life" is the party anthem "Never Turn Down," which melds hip-hop with electronic dance music elements.
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