The snow outside couldn't stop The Temple Club from transforming into a hip-hop hotbed Friday night.
Booming beats, bouncing butts and booze were the catalyst for Detroit rapper Proof's rowdy headlining performance at the club, 500 E. Grand River Ave., in Lansing.
And before Proof electrified the local stage he spoke with The State News about his expectations for the Lansing show, his relationship with Eminem and how Detroit has shaped him as a musician.
Proof said the crowd should look forward to getting crazy and having a great time at his show.
"Man, they should expect to come out and have fun, and drink with me — because we're going to drink," Proof said. "And we're not going to go on stage and grab our nuts."
Proof stayed true to his promises.
The rapper started his set around 1 a.m. and laid down lyrics until 10 minutes before the bar closed, at which point he bellied up to the bar with audience members.
While performing, Proof chugged Coronas between songs and ended the show with a freestyle roundabout with other rappers on stage.
At one point — after counting down "3, 2, 1, drink" — Proof downed half a Corona and flung the remaining beer into the audience. This began an alcohol slinging battle — rappers on stage verses audience members — creating a fog of liquor over the club.
Although Eminem did not rap with Proof on Friday, the two did hook up for Eminem and D-12's surprise performance in the Auditorium on Oct. 11, 2002 after an advance screening of "8 Mile."
Eminem and Proof have known each other since their teeny-bopping days in Detroit.
"I met Eminem when I was speaking, skipping middle school and up in high school handing out fliers," Proof said.
"I was the best man at his wedding, you know what I'm saying, we love each other to death."
And Proof said his days growing up in Detroit drastically influenced his musical career.
"Detroit molded me with experience. ? I think whenever I begin to spit, or whatever, it's the beat of Detroit every time," Proof said.
Wearing a Detroit Tigers jersey during the Temple Club show, Proof proudly showed off his Detroit heritage.
Proof ended the interview with some advice for the United States.
"Thug-free America, get your drugs for free."
