Eminem’s mother Debbie Nelson died on Monday (2 December) from complications related to lung cancer. She was 69 years old. His representatives confirmed the news.
The rapper’s relationship with his mum was complicated. His younger half-brother Nathan ‘Nate’ Mathers posted ‘hatred and mixed emotions today’ in response to the news of Debbie’s death.
Marshall Mathers himself is yet to issue a statement. However, he has spoken plenty about his mum in the course of his career.
Eminem’s representatives confirmed that his mother Debbie, pictured here in 2005, died earlier this week (Mark Weiss/Getty Images)
His 2002 diss-track ‘Cleanin’ Out My Closet’ includes lyrics which called his mum a ‘selfish b***h’ and that he hopes she’ll ‘burn in hell’, while accusing her of ‘poppin prescription pills in the kitchen’ and telling her she won’t get to see her granddaughter.
Debbie sued her son for slander and defamation. The case was settled for $25,000 in 2001. As time went by, Eminem refused to perform that song.
The last time he played ‘Cleanin’ Out My Closet’ at a show was in 2013 at Leeds Festival in England. In that same year, he released the track ‘Headlights’. In this track, he made a public apology to his mum. The song opens with the line ‘Mom, I know I let you down’.
He sang: “I went in headfirst, never thinkin’ about who, what I said hurt.
The rapper no longer performs the song (Scott Legato/Getty Images)
“In what verse, My mom probably got it the worst.
“The brunt of it, but as stubborn as we are, did I take it too far?
“‘Cleaning Out My Closet’ and all them other songs.
“But regardless, I don’t hate you ‘cause ma.
“You’re still beautiful to me, ‘cause you’re my mom.”
Further on in the song Eminem explicitly apologised for the earlier diss-track, rapping: “But I’m sorry mama for ‘Cleanin’ Out My Closet,’ at the time I was angry.
“Rightfully maybe so, never meant that far to take it though, ‘cause.
“Now I know it’s not your fault and I’m not making jokes.
“That song I no longer play at shows and I cringe every time it’s on the radio.”
Eminem has stayed true to his word when it comes to not playing the song at his shows, having avoided doing it for over a decade, and rounded out his apology by saying he forgave his mother and still loved her as he rapped: “But, Ma, I forgive you, so does Nathan, yo.
“All you did, all you said, you did your best to raise us both.
“Foster care, that cross you bear, few may be as heavy as yours.
“But I love you, Debbie Mathers.”
