Eminem explained why he refuses to sing one song anymore and apologised for writing it
Marshall Mathers has never been one to mince his words, but he does regret some of the brutal bars he included in one of his hit songs.
Eminem, who celebrates his 54th birthday on Saturday (17 October), is renowned for spitting scandalous rhymes and isn't scared of taking shots at fellow music stars, such as Ja Rule, Mariah Carey and Machine Gun Kelly.
But in one of his most famous tracks, his own mother was the target - however, he ended up coming to regret penning it.
It's well known that the 'Lose Yourself' rapper and his mum Debbie Nelson (formerly Mathers) had quite the rocky relationship, which is something he regularly referenced in his lyrics.
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But while writing his 2002 album The Eminem Show, he really tore into her.
Eminem reflected on his childhood on the song 'Cleanin' Out My Closet' and the contentious relationship he had with Debbie in quite the savage fashion.
He didn't leave much to the imagination while informing listeners of how he felt about the woman who raised him - as he branded her a ' 'selfish b***h', said he hopes she will 'burn in hell' and promised to stop her from seeing his own daughter Hailie Jade.
Other verses see the musician blame his mother for him turning out the way he is, as he raps: "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?"
Directly addressing Debbie, he tells her to 'keep telling herself that she was a mom' and questions how she could 'justify' the way she treated him.
'My mom probably got it the worst'
Eminem got a lot off of his chest when creating 'Cleanin' Out My Closet' - but in hindsight, he reckons that he went too far.
He spoke about his regret on his 2013 track 'Headlights', where he apologised for his lyrics and said he 'cringes' every time he hears the song being played.
The rapper says: "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'."
Mathers then appears to disown the 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."
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.
"And I’m mad I didn’t get the chance to thank you for being my mom and my dad."
Debbie passed away at the age of 69 from lung cancer in December 2024.
Brenna Cooper