Debbie Nelson, the mother of the renowned rapper Eminem, has passed away at the age of 69.
Eminem’s spokesperson, Dennis Dennehy, confirmed her passing on Tuesday.
The specific cause of her death has yet to be established, although Ms. Nelson had fought against lung cancer.
Eminem, whose birth name is Marshall Mathers III, frequently addressed the tumultuous relationship he shared with his mother in his lyrics.
In two of his most celebrated tracks, My Name Is and Cleanin’ Out My Closet, he levels accusations against Ms. Nelson for substance abuse and negligence.
Eminem referenced his mother in a variety of songs early in his career. Pic: AP
In the 2002 hit Cleanin’ Out My Closet, he states: “Witnessin’ your mama poppin’ prescription pills in the kitchen.” He subsequently asserts that she was “trying to take what you didn’t help me get.”
Later that very year, a fictional representation of his mother, portrayed as an alcoholic, was played by Kim Basinger in the semi-autobiographical film 8 Mile, featuring Eminem in the lead role.
Ms. Nelson filed and resolved a couple of defamation lawsuits regarding Eminem’s remarks about her in various magazines and on radio talk shows.
In her 2008 publication My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem, she sought to clarify the narrative.
The description of the book claims she was a “single mother who wished for the best for her son, only to find herself defamed and excluded when he achieved it,” according to Sky News’ US partner network NBC.
She also recounted stories from the rapper’s formative years, expressing that Eminem had forgotten the cherished moments they shared.
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Over the years, the discord between the two appeared to linger, with the rapper expressing remorse towards Ms. Nelson in his 2013 track Headlights.
“Cause to this day we remain estranged, and I hate it though,” he raps, adding: “Cause you ain’t even get to witness your grandbabies grow. But I’m sorry, momma, for Cleanin’ Out My Closet. At the time I was angry, rightfully? Maybe so. Never meant that far to take it, though.”
Ms. Nelson also publicly celebrated her son in 2022 after he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, as reported by Billboard, stating in a video shared at the time: “I love you very much. I always knew you’d achieve this. It’s been a long journey. I am immensely proud of you.”
