Debbie Nelson, the mother of rapper Eminem and whose rocky relationship with her son was widely known through the lyrics of his hit songs, has died. She was 69 years old.
Dennis Dennehy, Eminem’s representative, confirmed Nelson’s death in an email to CBS News Detroit. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Nelson was battling lung cancer.
Nelson’s rocky relationship with his son, whose real name is Marshall Mathers III, has been no secret ever since the Detroit rapper became a star.
Paul Sancia/Associated Press
Eminem disparaged his mother in songs such as his 2002 single “Cleaning Out My Closet.” Eminem sings, “Watching my mom pop prescription pills in the kitchen. Someone always going through her purse, complaining when she goes missing. Running through public housing, falling victim to Munchausen Syndrome.” “I’ve been forced to do this all my life.” I believe I was sick even though I wasn’t. ”
The lyrics to his Oscar-winning hit “Lose Yourself” from the movie 8 Mile refer to his “mommy’s spaghetti” and his emotions seem to boil over. The song won Best Rap Song at the 2004 Grammy Awards.
Nelson filed and settled two defamation lawsuits over Eminem’s comments about her in magazines and on radio talk shows. In her 2008 book, My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem, she sought to set the record straight by providing readers with details of the rapper’s childhood.
Earlier this month, Eminem won the award for Best Hip-Hop Act at the 2024 MTV EMAs. entered the hall of fame He will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Last month, he announced he was becoming a grandpa, announced that his daughter Hailey Jade was pregnant and released a touching music video paying tribute to their relationship.
