Eminem had a complicated relationship with his late mother, Debbie Nelson, who died at age 69 this week. In fact, according to reports, their relationship remained controversial until the end of her life.
But what should we do? Actually know about the iconic hip-hop artist’s relationship with his mother and how complicated it was?
Nelson, who was known as Debbie Mathers Briggs before reverting to her maiden name following her son’s fame, died of complications from lung cancer in St. Louis. Joseph, Missouri, on Monday (December 2). Her diagnosis was first revealed in September, and at the time it was reported that she did not have long to live. Nelson had previously been diagnosed with breast cancer around 2004.
So where did Nelson stand with her famous son at the time of her death? In September, an anonymous source said InTouch that Eminem had been taking care of his mother’s finances for years, but other than that, the couple had little contact with each other. For that reason, let’s review everything we know about Eminem and his mother that’s happened over the years.
He painted her as an abuser in his lyrics
Eminem portrayed Nelson as neglectful and abusive in several of his songs, most notably on the rapper’s 2002 hit “Cleanin’ Out My Closet.”
In it, he raps, “But put yourself in my shoes, try to imagine / Watching your mother grab prescription pills in the kitchen / B—-n’ that someone is always going through her purse and s- — missed / Passed through the public housing system, victim of Münchausen Syndrome / All my life I believed I was sick when I wasn’t.”
This is not the first time Eminem has accused his mother of using drugs. He said that on Em’s 1999 breakthrough single “My Name Is,” “I just found out my mom does more drugs than me/I told her I’d grow up to be a famous rapper/set a record for drug use and name it after her.”
But that’s not all. Eminem constantly mentions his mother throughout his career. In the 2009 film “My Mom,” he accused his mother of being addicted to Valium, even claiming that she put it in his food when he was growing up. (“The water I drank, the f——-‘ beans on my plate/she sprinkled just enough to season my steak.”)
But in 2013’s Headlights, Em admitted that they grew apart and appeared to regret what he said in Cleanin’ Out My Closet. (“That song I don’t play at shows anymore / And I cringe every time it comes on the radio.”)
She sued him and wrote a tell-all
In 1999, Nelson sued Eminem for defamation, seeking $10 million in damages, claiming that he had slandered her in his songs as well as in numerous television and print interviews by implying that she is an abuser and drug user, as Rolling Stone reported at the time. She also wrote a tell-all memoir in 2007, My son Marshall, my son Eminem.
As for the outcome of the lawsuit, she was granted $25,000 of the $11 million she requested in the lawsuit, but only received about $1,600 after legal fees.
At the time of the lawsuit, the rapper’s attorney Paul Rosenberg commented: “Eminem’s life is reflected in his music. Everything he says can be verified as true.” The attorney also argued that Nelson’s lawsuit “is simply the result of a lifelong strained relationship between him and his mother.”
Eminem performs in front of the WBA Junior middleweight championship. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
She still congratulated him for his Rock Hall induction
Perhaps trying to offer his son an olive branch, Nelson posted a video in 2022 congratulating Eminem for his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame that year.
“Marshall, I want to say, I couldn’t let this day pass without congratulating you on your induction into the Hall of Fame,” she said. “I love you so much. I know you’ll get there. It’s been a long road. I’m so, so proud of you.”
It’s unclear, but it seems doubtful that Eminem ever responded. The video certainly makes it seem like they weren’t in regular contact at the time. Watch it below.
He reportedly did not visit her during her final days
To illustrate the contactless nature of Nelson and Eminem’s growing relationship, the rapper reportedly did not visit her in her final days, according to the report. The mirror.
An anonymous source told the tabloid, “People around her aren’t even sure if Eminem knows what’s going on with his mother,” and added, “He’s been very nice to his mother. He assured her that he would take care of her, but they didn’t really talk. It would be good for both of them. [to communicate]. This may give them a chance to reconcile.”
That said, listeners cannot know everything that happened between Eminem and his mother during her lifetime. But from all available accounts, it appears that their relationship remained tense and restrictive until the end, something illustrated in Em’s lyrics and in their public dealings. .
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