Elizabeth City, NC May 6, 2006 The Compass 8 Senior Edition American Author: 5 Stars

r , - • ' i fJf g: By Tashonda (S r'n u I s , -« V '.’l I Harney with her family, and at the could have surrendered to Editor-at- age of 19 became an such hardships. Fantasia Large American Idol winner. Her persevered. She Fantasia first album. Free Yourself, rediscovered her faith in Barrino began was released on November God and in herself, singing at the 23, 2004. In Life is Not a promising to work hard to prodigious age Fairy Tale, Fantasia Barrino create a better life not only of five before shares her fascinating and for her daughter, but small compelling personal story because she deserved one. and turns her struggles and Fantasia’s book shares the ^ i audiences at her church in success into life lessons. mottos of faith and strength Highpoint, With her sassy, self- that helped her to find her North confident style. Fantasia way off of the unfortunate Carolina. has worked through many path that she had taken and Music has mistakes to develop a keep- on to one of unlimited been her main it-real, down-to-earth potential and success. ->g,i',7 source of joy wisdom. After a childhood Fantasia’s book offers many ever since she anchored by family, church life lessons such as, toured with and gospel music, Fantasia learning who your Mends her mother, fell into the common are, learning from mistakes, father and teenage trap of trying to never giving up, and most brothers all grow up too quickly. At the importantly keeping it real around the age of 17, she found herself always. I recommend this South, quitting school, pregnant book to anyone and recorded two and in an abusive excellent page-turner. 5/5 Photo courtesy o f Fireside gospel albums ^clationshig^Tho^ stars" D12 Rapper Proof Killed in Detroit Courtesy of including serving as his on-stage Philly.com reports of a fight and shots fired. hype man on concert tours. The shooting After the release of 8 Rapper Proof of the rap occurred at a club Mile, when battle rap was gaining group D12, one of the key called C.C.C. In newfound commercial exposure. figures on the Detroit hip-hop the mid-’90s. Proof was hired to host a national scene, was fatally shot Tuesday search for the next best battle morning at a Detroit after-hours Proof’s Saturday afternoons were rapper by Showtime Networks. club, pohce said. spent hosting rap In Detroit, he hosted Proof, whose real name battles at the Fight Club, a rap competition near is Deshaun Holton, was dead on famed Hip Hop his Iron Fist Records. There, arrival at St. John Conner Creek Shop, a role that Detroit hip-hop elite would gather hospital in Detroit, according to would be and listen as up-and-comers would a spokeswoman for St. John fictionalized by verbally duke it out, hoping to Health System. He was 32. actor Mekhi become as big as Proof, Eminem Proof was among the Phifer in 8 Mile, or other Detroit hip-hop comrades. most pivotal players in Detroit the Hollywood In January, he served as hip-hop, and revered as one of best man in Eminem’s wedding, the battle rappers in the city — blockbuster film in which Proof giving a poignant toast about how the man who would handle also played a bit it’s important to marry your best anyone who dared to challenge part. friend. D12 was scheduled to him in a war of words. D12 Rapper Deshaun “Proof” Holton AP Photo Proof was a begin recording its third album this He befriended Eminem month. long before he was a household steady hand for Detroit’s then up-and-coming hip- The Memorial service name, and was a nearly constant producers in Detroit. A number of hop scene. It was his idea to took place on Wenesday April 19. presence as the rapper rose to them were planning to gather with assemble a collection of Detroit’s This is the second shooting superstardom — including as the his family, including Eminem, best hip-hop talent and call it D12. involving Eminem’s entourage in best man at his January wedding. Obie Trice and Marv Won from the It was his hand that helped push ^ three months. Obie Trice was shot Proof was fnends with Detroit group the Fat Killahz. Eminem to become one of the and wounded New Year’s Eve many of the top hip-hop DJs, radio Police were called to the world’s biggest pop stars. while driving along the Lodge personalities, rappers and shootings around 5 a.m., following Freeway.