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5 Eminem tracks that diss his mom

By Musa Adekunle

04 December 2024   |   11:51 am

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Debbie Nelson, the mother of rap icon Marshall Mathers III, famously known as Eminem, has passed away at the age of 69. She reportedly died from complications related to lung cancer in St. Joseph, Missouri. Debbie, who became a mother in her teenage years, raised Eminem and his four siblings amidst many challenges. Her efforts…

Debbie Nelson, the mother of rap icon Marshall Mathers III, famously known as Eminem, has passed away at the age of 69.

She reportedly died from complications related to lung cancer in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Debbie, who became a mother in her teenage years, raised Eminem and his four siblings amidst many challenges. Her efforts set the foundation for Eminem’s meteoric rise in the world of rap, but their relationship was anything but harmonious.

READ ALSO: 7 reasons Eminem hated his mother

Eminem’s strained relationship with his mother became a recurring theme in his music, with Debbie often serving as a central figure in his emotionally charged lyrics. Over the years, their rocky bond gave rise to some of his most controversial and powerful tracks.

Here are five songs where Eminem laid bare their stormy relationship.

1. Cleanin’ Out My Closet (2002)

This track was a thunderbolt of emotion where Eminem vented his childhood grievances. He accused his mother of drug abuse and neglect. Lines like “I’m sorry, mama/ I never meant to hurt you/ I never meant to make you cry” laced the song with raw sarcasm. Interestingly, Eminem has since expressed regret for the track, stating he no longer performs it and feels discomfort when it plays on the radio.

2. My Name Is (1999)

In this cheeky breakout single, Eminem pointed fingers at his mother with the lyric: “I just found out my mom does more dope than I do.” The playful yet biting words hinted at the friction in their relationship even at the start of his career.

3. My Mom (2009)

This track was as direct as its title suggests. Eminem rapped about how his mother’s lifestyle influenced his own: “My mom loved Valium and lots of drugs/ That’s why I’m on what I’m on ’cause I’m my mom.” The song is one of the most explicit examples of how their personal struggles intertwined.

4. When I’m Gone (2005)

Though this song primarily addressed Eminem’s struggles with fatherhood, there were undertones of how the dynamics of his childhood impacted his ability to parent. Lyrics like “What happens when you become the main source of her pain?” could resonate with his reflections on family.

5. Headlights (2013)

In a surprising turn, Eminem used this track to apologise to his mother for the hurt caused by earlier songs, especially Cleanin’ Out My Closet. He rapped: “I’m sorry, Mama, for Cleanin’ Out My Closet. At the time I was angry. Never meant to take it that far, though.” It marked a rare moment of vulnerability and an attempt to mend bridges. (edited)