Rufus Arthur Johnson, professionally known as Bizarre, was born on July 5, 1976, in the vibrant city of Detroit, Michigan. Growing up, he faced the challenge of being raised by a single mother, which undoubtedly had a profound impact on his life.
Bizarre's journey as a rapper began at a surprisingly young age, with his first forays into the art form occurring when he was just in fifth grade. His teacher, initially perplexed by his behavior, took to calling him 'Bizarre', a nickname that would eventually become an integral part of his stage persona.
In 1995, Bizarre joined forces with a group of neighborhood friends to form the rap collective D12, comprising DeShaun "Proof" Holton, Karnail "Bugz" Pitts, Carlos "Fuzz Scoota" Rabb, Willie "Eye Kyu" Drake, and Von "Kuniva" Carlisle. This marked the beginning of a fruitful collaboration that would span many years.
During this period, Bizarre also crossed paths with the renowned rapper Marshall "Eminem" Mathers, courtesy of his friend and fellow D12 member, DeShaun "Proof" Holton. The two would go on to develop a lasting professional and personal bond.
For many years, Bizarre was a regular fixture at a popular Detroit nightclub called 'The Shelter', located within Saint Andrew's Hall. The club, which hosted rap battles every Friday night, provided a platform for Bizarre to hone his skills and connect with like-minded individuals.
As his career progressed, Bizarre's unique style and talent would ultimately cement his position as a respected figure within the world of hip-hop.
