Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Ali Condon
One thing about Eminem is, you'll always know where you stand with him. If he doesn't like you, you will hear about it in a song.
Whether it's other musicians like Mariah Carey or Machine Gun Kelly, or people he knows more personally like his ex Kim Scott, Eminem goes for everyone in his lyrics.
Perhaps some of his darkest callouts, though, are aimed at his mother Debbie Nelson in the 2002 track 'Cleanin' Out My Closet'.
In the song, Eminem whose real name is Marshall Mathers, calls his estranged mum a 'selfish b*tch' who he hopes will 'burn in hell', and vows that she will never get to see his daughter Hailie.
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You can listen here (it contains some strong language):
Some of the song's lyrics include: "My whole life I was made to believe I was sick when I wasn't, 'til I grew up, now I blew up it makes you sick to your stomach, doesn't it?
"Wasn't it the reason you made that CD for me, ma? So you could try to justify the way you treated me, ma?
"But guess what? You're getting older now and it's cold when you're lonely and Nathan's growing up so quick he's gonna know that you're phony.
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"And Haile's getting so big now, you should see her, she's beautiful. But you'll never see her, she won't even be at your funeral."
If you were wondering where Eminem's beef with his mother comes from, his songs would suggest that he blames her for a lot of the problems he had in his childhood.
Eventually, in the 2013 song ‘Headlights’, the Detroit rapper did apologise to Debbie for his harsh words.
His apology begins: “My mom probably got it the worst.
“The brunt of it, but as stubborn as we are, did I take it too far?
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“’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.”
The heartfelt apology continues: “But I’m sorry mama for ‘Cleanin’ Out My Closet,’ at the time I was angry.
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“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 pay at shows and I cringe every time it’s on the radio."
In 1999, Debbie filed a $10 million lawsuit against her son, accusing him of slander and defamation; she settled for $25,000 in 2001.
On ‘Headlights’, Eminem goes on to describe a number of incidences from their tumultuous past, such as getting kicked out of the house on Christmas Eve, never-ending fighting, and his younger brother Nathan being sent to foster care.
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Despite their relationship remaining estranged to this day, his words offered a chance to make amends, as he rapped about hating their ‘dysfunctional relationship’.
He continues: “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 bare, few may be as heavy as yours.
“But I love you Debbie Mathers, oh what a tangled web we have.”
Rounding off his heartfelt apology, Eminem raps: “And I’m mad I didn’t get the chance to thank you for being my mom and my dad."