Bizarre (rapper)
A deliberately off-kilter Detroit lyricist whose dark humor and unflinching verses became the chaotic heartbeat of the mega-group D12.
Born 1976 (age 50)·American rapper·Birthday: July 5·Generation X
Biography
Rufus Johnson, known to the world as Bizarre, carved out a unique niche in hip-hop as the wild card of D12. Emerging from Detroit's fertile rap scene alongside childhood friend Eminem, Bizarre's style was never about technical perfection. Instead, he weaponized absurdity, delivering lines about cartoonish violence and personal failings with a deadpan baritone that was both shocking and hilarious. His persona was the group's id, a pressure valve that allowed their music to venture into territories too dark or too strange for others. While D12's collective fame skyrocketed, Bizarre pursued a parallel solo path, releasing albums that doubled down on his singular aesthetic. His contribution was essential in crafting D12's identity—a crew that was as much a twisted comedy troupe as a rap collective, with Bizarre as its most unpredictable and memorable character.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Bizarre was born in 1976, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Bizarre Was Born
The biggest hits of 1976
#1 Movie
Rocky
Best Picture
Rocky
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Bizarre's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1976Born
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1981Started school
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1989Became a teenager
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1992Could drive
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1994Could vote
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Turned 21
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2006Turned 30
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2016Turned 40
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 50
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Was a founding member of the platinum-selling hip-hop group D12, which achieved worldwide fame.
- Released multiple solo albums, including 'Hannicap Circus' and 'Friday Night at St. Andrews'.
- Performed on several chart-topping albums with D12, including 'Devil's Night' and 'D12 World'.
- His distinctive lyrical style helped define D12's darkly humorous and chaotic group identity.
Did You Know?
His stage name was originally 'Bizarre Kid' before he shortened it.
He is known for his extensive collection of tattoos covering much of his body.
He launched his own record label, Bizarre Records.
He has cited comedians like Richard Pryor as a major influence on his rap style.
“I'm the fat guy from D12, I'll eat your sister's asshole.”
