Any person or group that has been working in the same industry for 25 years will confirm that this does not happen by luck. Objectively, you should be successful and consistent. That standard is even higher in the music business, where one-hit wonders can come and go on a dime.
That’s why a group like D12 is respected and respected in the business and beyond. Ever since they released their debut album in 2001, the group has been a regular and successful presence on the hip-hop scene.
There have been various incarnations of the band, but the current version is a duo featuring Swifty McVeigh and Kuniwa. As one of the founders of the Dirty Decade, Kuniwa admitted that what happened was beyond anything he thought possible.
“From what I envisioned as a teenager and until it came to fruition, I never imagined it would be this big,” he said. “I never thought I’d be doing it at this high level. And it’s just been a ride.”
D12 may be best known for their run with Eminem, which included the massive hit “My Band” in the mid-2000s, but they’ve stayed with the industry and have a very loyal following in 2026. Kuniwa confirmed that health is a priority, one of the reasons why he has enjoyed the success he has today.
“I’m always trying to improve my craft and just help my overall health.”
A change he didn’t know he needed
Kuniva admits that he didn’t always think about things like exercising or eating healthy. Despite the fact that his wife advises him from time to time, he used to eat different foods that might not suit him very well.
“Steak was one of my things. Steak, chicken, lots of fatty foods, cheese foods and stuff like that,” he recalled. “So it wasn’t healthy at all.”
That changed after a friend convinced her to try a vegetarian diet. Like many people new to the lifestyle, Kuniva thought vegan and vegetarian were the same thing. He has since learned that vegetarians avoid meat, while vegans avoid all ingredients and products derived from animals. Today, he told others about the difference and noted that the improvement of livestock is in the first place when he fully fulfills his obligations.
“I just wanted to make a conscious decision to get better as a person and just put something healthier into my lifestyle and just do my part in looking out for animals, you know, in that sense. So that was part of my decision.”
Kuniva immediately noticed a change in how he felt, how he looked, and even an increase in energy. There was another benefit that he did not expect, but he was very happy about it.
“I’ve noticed that I have a lot more breath control. I’m not as winded as I used to be. I think it might be from the fatty foods or whatever, but since I’ve changed, I’m more winded on stage.”
Maintaining a lifestyle on the go
One issue that Kuniwa generally faces when traveling or traveling is finding vegetarian food or having it prepared for him. Having a limited meal plan means that food must be chosen carefully. Unfortunately, not everyone in the music industry knows the difference between vegetarian and vegan.
“My management, when they are with us, they don’t know much about vegetarianism. So I have to tell them some things that I need,” Kuniwa said. “And sometimes they can’t find the right things, but they find good things for us to eat and for me to eat.”
Any athlete or entertainer who travels abroad will attest to the fact that extra care is required when preparing or packing meals. This makes finding vegan food even more difficult, but Kuniva manages.
“I have to rely on a lot of people sometimes and it can be difficult at times, but for the most part we do it.”
Kuniwa revealed that he is a notorious snacker, but he and his wife have found ways to deal with it. In fact, he liked so many options that he often had to stop eating.
“There’s vegan chips and, you know, vegan nuts and all that stuff, and I love vegan salads.”
D12 Forever
Kuniwa’s energy, fueled by her new diet, also feeds her hunger to thrive behind the microphone. D12’s latest album, D12 Forever Vol. 1, is out now, and Kuniwa is proud of it, as he is proud of all the historic music they’ve released over their two-decade career. One track from the new album is Nightmare Walking, which features rap icons Xzibit and Ice T.
“I’m excited for them to hear the music. And we’ve been working on this project for a year, a little over a year, and it’s been fun just to create and just get back in the studio and feel that passion that I had before.”
This release is already being met with positive reviews, which could be a sign of things to come. Confirming the duo’s intentions, Kuniwa concluded: “I’d say pack up because it’s one hell of a ride.”
Learn more about D12 Here and follow them Instagram and YouTube.
