The apology Eminem issued to his mother after taking their issues “too far”
Eminem once issued a heartfelt apology to his mother after feeling like he took things “too far” with his lyrics. The pair had an estranged relationship stemming from Em’s childhood, with the Detroit rapper often speaking down on her in his songs.
His mother, Debbie Nelson, reportedly passed away on December 1st at the age of 69 following a battle with lung cancer. A source told In Touch that Eminem hadn’t been in contact with his late mum for years, claiming he might have been unaware of his mother’s condition.
In 2002, Em targeted his mother on ‘Cleanin’ Out My Closet’ from his Eminem Show album, rapping, “But put yourself in my position, just try to envision/ Witnessin’ your mama poppin’ prescription pills in the kitchen/ Goin’ through public housing systems, victim of Münchausen’s Syndrome/ My whole life I was made to believe I was sick when I wasn’t.”
Slim Shady also laughed at his mother for not having a relationship with his daughter, Hailie Jade, claiming she won’t be there when she dies. “And Hailie’s gettin’ so big now, you should see her, she’s beautiful/ But you’ll never see her, she won’t even be at your funeral (Ha-ha!),” he raps.
Over a decade later, Eminem issued an apology to his mother on ‘Headlights’, a song featuring Nate Ruess that appears on his 2013 album The Marshall Mathers LP 2. On the track, he admits to not thinking about his mum’s feelings and claimed she received the worst of his insults.
He raps in the first verse, “I went in headfirst, never thinkin’ about who what I said hurt/ In what verse, my mum probably got it the worst/ The brunt of it, but as stubborn as we are, did I take it too far?/ ‘Cleanin’ 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 mum.”
In the second verse, Eminem references his decision to no longer play ‘Cleanin’ Out My Closet’ during his live shows due to being ashamed of the lyrics, admitting he cringes when he hears it on the radio.
“‘Cause to this day we remain estranged and I hate it though/ ‘Cause you ain’t even get to witness your grandbabies grow/ 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 makin’ jokes,” he raps.
Eminem’s mother once sued him for $11 million over defamation of character for rapping, “I just found out my mum does more dope than I do,” on ‘My Name Is‘. His lawyer said the lawsuit was the “result of a lifelong strained relationship” between them.
She went on to release a book called My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem in 2008, which aimed to “set the record straight” on her life as Em’s mother.