Eminem Drops Mic on One Song Forever—And His Unexpected Apology Has Fans Baffled!
Added on June 8, 2025 inMusic News Cards
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If Eminem’s music catalog were a zodiac chart, ‘Cleanin’ Out My Closet’ would definitely be that fiery, tumultuous Mars aspect — intense, raw, and maybe a bit reckless. The “Rap God” himself, Marshall Mathers, known for electrifying stages with anthems like ‘Lose Yourself’ and ‘The Real Slim Shady,’ has confessed that this particular track—once a bold outlet for his rocky relationship with his mother, Debbie Nelson—now makes him cringe. At 52, Eminem’s journey of reflection and forgiveness feels almost like a cosmic wobble, reminding us how even the fiercest stars can cool and soften with time. So, what led this lyrical titan to apologize for one of his most cutting songs? And how does this shift reveal the intricate balance between family dynamics and fame through the lens of a Scorpio’s deepest secrets? Let’s dive into the backstory behind the beat—and the mood swings that come with it. LEARN MORE.
He’s one of the most recognisable rappers of his generation, thanks to global hits such as ‘Lose Yourself’, ‘The Real Slim Shady’ and ‘Love the Way You Lie’.
However it would appear there’s one song which Eminem – real name Marshall Mathers – doesn’t look back on too fondly.
In fact, the 52-year-old has even apologised for penning it, which is a massive step for a man who once declared that god had sent him to ‘p*ss the world off’.
So which of his famous tracks – from comedy raps such as ‘Without Me’ to darker songs like ‘Stan’ and ‘3AM’ – has the rapper since had second thoughts about – and why?
Well it would appear the its all to do with the rocky relationship he had with mother Debbie Nelson (formerly Mathers).
The rapper has had second thoughts about one of his famous songs (Scott Legato/Getty Images)
Eminem has made no secret about the fact that he and Debbie didn’t have much of a traditional mother-son bond, with the rapper regularly using his lyrics to vent about his upbringing and take aim at the woman who raised him.
However the ‘Rap God’ hitmaker has since admitted that he took things too far on 2002 track ‘Cleanin’ Out My Closet’, which appeared on his 2002 album The Eminem Show.
Although Eminem does himself clarify in the song that he would never ‘diss my own mama just to get recognition’ he does go in pretty hard on his childhood, accusing Nelson of ‘selfish b***h’ who he hopes will ‘burn in hell’ and promising to stop her from seeing his own daughter Hailie Jade.
Take a listen to it yourself, but a warning – it has some very strong language:
Other verses see the musician blame his mother for him turning out the way he is, rapping: “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?”
This isn’t the only time in which Nelson has served as the inspiration for his music, with tracks such as 2009 song ‘My Mom’, which accuses him of being the reason for his drug addiction.
However Mathers has since had a change of heart when it comes to his feelings about ‘Cleanin’ Out My Closest’, with 2014 through ‘Headlights’ serving as an apology.
“My mom probably got it the worst. The brunt of it, but as stubborn as we are, did I take it too far,” he sings.
“’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’.”
He later apologised to mother Debbie Nelson for the track (Mark Weiss/Getty Images)
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.”
Nelson passed away at the age of 69 from lung cancer in December 2024. Mathers’ has not commented publicly on his mother’s death, however the Mirror reports that he omitted singing the line ‘F**k you, Debbie’ while performing ‘Without Me’ at the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix that year.
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