OBIE TRICE - OBIE TRICE PLEAS FOR NON-VIOLENCE AT PROOF FUNERAL

Rapper OBIE TRICE has warned mourners at the funeral of D-12 star PROOF that gang violence has to stop. The hip-hop star, who was shot in the back of the head on New Year's Eve (31JAN05), addressed the congregation at Detroit, Michigan's Fellowship Chapel yesterday (19APR06), where he also related his memories of late friend Proof. He said, "I want to talk to the black men living in the hood. We're killing each other, and it's about nothing." D-12 rapper Proof - real name DESHAUN HOLTON - was gunned down last week (11APR06) during an altercation inside Detroit's CCC nightclub. A second shooting victim, KEITH BENDER, 35, died on Tuesday (18APR06). Close friend EMINEM paid his respects during an emotionally charged service claiming, "without Proof, there would be no Eminem, no Slim Shady". The funeral programme told how the hip-hop pair shared the "friendship of a lifetime".