According to the New York Times, Debbie Nelson, the mother of the renowned rapper Eminem, passed away on Monday, December 2nd, at the age of 69. Vulture magazine has confirmed this heartbreaking news with Eminem's representative. People magazine further reports that Nelson succumbed to complications arising from lung cancer.
Nelson, who was just 17 when she gave birth to Eminem—his real name being Marshall Mathers—on October 17, 1972, was the rapper's eldest son. Shortly after Eminem's birth, her ex-husband, Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. (who departed this world in 2019), abandoned their family. This left Nelson to raise Eminem and his half-brother Nathan Mathers as a single mother.
Reflecting on the news, Nathan posted on Instagram Stories on December 3rd, "Hatred and mixed emotions today," seemingly acknowledging the passing of his mother. The strained relationship between Nelson and Eminem was a recurring theme in several of his early songs. In fact, she even sued him for defamation over the lyrics of his 1999 single "My Name Is," which stated, "99 percent of my life, I was lied to/I just found out my mom does more dope than I do (Damn)." Nelson won the lawsuit and was awarded approximately $25,000.
However, the lawsuit did not deter Eminem from penning more songs about his mother. In his 2002 hit "Cleanin' Out My Closet," he heavily criticized both of his parents, singing, "Now, I would never diss my own mama just to get recognition/Take a second to listen 'fore you think this record is dissin'/But put yourself in my position, just try to envision/Witnessin' your mama poppin' prescription pills in the kitchen/Bitchin' that someone’s always goin’ through her purse and shit’s missin’." Despite their strained relationship, Eminem affectionately referenced his mother in one of his most famous lyrics, "Mom’s Spaghetti," from the song "Lose Yourself." In a touching gesture, he eventually opened a restaurant and pasta line bearing the same name.
