CeeMajor (Cor Giesing, 1975) founded The Proov in 1996 together with a couple of residents from Leeuwarden (Holland). The Proov dispersed a bit in 2001 and nowadays consists of MC’s CeeMajor & Gumshoe (Sven Willemsen, 1977). On stage they are joined by a DJ. They work closely together with producers Colt & L Geronimo. Between the releases from The Proov demo ‘Speakerroom’ (1997), singles as ‘What I’m not’ (1998), Feel the heat (Soul Relation, 2000) ‘Nebula’ (Unexpected Records, 2003), ‘Two Entropies’ (imPROOVment Records, 2003), their EP/album debut ‘Traditions’ (Soul Relation, 1999/2000) and their live cd Reality Check (Soul Relation, 2002), they played as the opening-act for Organized Konfusion, Tha Alkaholiks, Large Professor and represented on festivals like Double Talk (with Black Star and Company Flow) and Back To Planet Rock (with Afrika Bambaataa and Extince), Noorderslag, Lowlands, Drum Rhythm, Uitmarkt and North Sea Jazz. They performed at the main places in Holland such as Paradiso, Melkweg, 013, Effenaar and crossed boarders to Prague (Roxy). On television they could be seen at VPRO’s De Jong in Uitvoering and NPS’ Paradiso Live, the latter along with Soul legend Leon Ware (producer/co-writer of Marvin Gaye’s ‘I want you’ LP), Carleen Anderson (Young Disciples) and Michael Franti (Spearhead). The videos from Feel the Heat, Nebula and Two Entropies were shown at music channels as: MTV Raw & New, TMF, The Box Urban Vibes, The Fifth Element (Chzech) and VPRO’s www.3voor12.nl.
The Proov collaborated with J Rawls (Lone Catalysts), Krewcial (BBE), Pete Philly & Perquisite, Kid Sublime (Kindred Spirits), Nicolay (Foreign Exchange), C-Mon & Kypski, Brainpower, New Cool Collective, Incks and many more.
The Proov released their second album ‘Battle Mode’, featuring producers Colt, Kid Sublime, L Geronimo (Feel the heat) and Nicolay (Foreign Exchange) on march 15 2005, imPROOVment records/Rushhour. The album was well received in the music scene and the media, such as OOR magazine, NRC Handelsblad and VPRO’s 3Voor12. The track ‘The Ultimate’ is supported by a much-discussed video which got play on MTV, TMF and The Box.
On the Battle Mode Tour (feb-oct 2005) they were supported by Incks, a female MC from New York City, who can be heard on ‘Battle Mode’. The Proov went to NYC in May 2007 to do a couple of gigs over there. Currently, CeeMajor and Gumshoe (besides other projects) are working on the third Proov EP named 'ART', set to be released in the fall of 2007. They give bookers the oppertunity to get them over with a full live band! Check www.theproov.com or www.improovment.com for more info.
The Proov - Live @ Mystery Land 2007
The Proov Live @ VPRO's Club Lek 3voor12
The Proov-Breathless (Live)
