Eminem has built a career on emotional transparency and lyrical intensity, but there’s one track he wishes he could take back.
The rap legend started from humble beginnings in Detroit, working his way up through rap battles and underground mixtapes before breaking out with his 1996 debut Infinite. It wasn’t until The Slim Shady LP dropped in 1999 — earning him a Grammy and going quadruple platinum — that he exploded onto the global stage, eventually becoming one of the best-selling artists of all time with over 220 million records sold worldwide.
However, the 52-year-old rap icon - known for hits like 'Lose Yourself' and 'Stan' - now disavows one of his earlier songs, 'Cleanin’ Out My Closet', for its searing attack on his mother, Debbie Mathers.
And he’s made his remorse crystal clear — not just with words, but through music.
The Controversial Classic: "Cleanin' Out My Closet"
Released in 2002 on his album Without Me, 'Cleanin' Out My Closet' delves into Eminem's tumultuous and often strained relationship with his mother, Debbie.
The lyrics, known for their raw and hard-hitting nature, left little to the imagination regarding his feelings at the time. In the track, he infamously refers to his mother as a "selfish b***h" and expresses a wish for her to "burn in hell." He further accuses her of "poppin prescription pills" and vows never to allow her to see his daughter, Hailie.
This lyrical assault was a reflection of the fraught relationship between Eminem and Debbie, which had previously escalated to legal action.
In 1999, Debbie filed a lawsuit against the rapper, accusing him of slander and defamation. She initially sought $10 million but ultimately settled for $25,000 in 2001. While Eminem had lashed out at his mother in other songs, 'Cleanin' Out My Closet' stood out for its particularly venomous tone.
A Change of Heart: The Apology in "Headlights"
Years after its release, Eminem had a significant change of heart regarding 'Cleanin' Out My Closet'.
This shift in perspective led him to retire the track from his live performances, a decision he later elaborated on in his 2014 apology track, 'Headlights'.
In 'Headlights', a marked departure from his earlier vitriol, Eminem reveals his regret and offers a sincere apology to his mother.
The 2014 track opens with a poignant reflection: "My mom probably got it the worst. The brunt of it, but as stubborn as we are, did I take it too far? '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."
The heartfelt apology continues: "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 pay at shows and I cringe every time it’s on the radio."
While offering an apology, 'Headlights' doesn't shy away from the complexities of Eminem's turbulent childhood.
He recounts being kicked out on Christmas Eve and his younger brother, Nathan, being taken into foster care. Despite these painful memories, he acknowledges his dislike for their "dysfunctional relationship" and extends forgiveness, saying: "But ma, I forgive you, so does Nathan yo. All you did, all you said, you did your best to raise us both. Foster care, that cross you bare, few may be as heavy as yours."
He concludes the apology with a moving sentiment: "But I love you Debbie Mathers, oh what a tangled web we have. And I’m mad I didn’t get the chance to thank you for being my mom and my dad."
Debbie herself had previously spoken about the possibility of reconciliation, stating: "I’m not ever gonna give up on my kids. I won’t give up on anybody. There’s hope for everybody. It’s a matter of just basically swallowing your pride. It’s like a cashed check. It’s over, it’s done. You need to move on."
Sadly, Debbie passed away in December of 2024 at the age of 69.
A New Chapter: Grandfatherhood for the Rap Icon
Eminem has recently embraced a new role: that of a grandfather. His daughter, Hailie Jade, announced on Friday, March 14, the birth of her son, Elliot Marshall McClintock.
Hailie Jade, 29, shared the news on Instagram, posting pictures of "3 weeks earthside little e" in a charming knit hoodie. The baby's middle name, Marshall, is a clear nod to his famous grandfather, whose full name is Marshall Mathers.
Elliot is her first child with husband Evan McClintock, whom she married in May.
Eminem and Jade subtly revealed her pregnancy in the rapper’s October music video for 'Temporary', which featured images of ultrasound scans and a customized Detroit Lions jersey emblazoned with "GRANDPA."
Hailie Jade, the daughter of Eminem and his ex-wife Kim Scott, has a significant presence in her father's musical legacy. She famously voiced the hook for 'My Dad's Gone Crazy' when she was just six years old, earning a Guinness World Record for Youngest R&B Chart Entrant.
Her father also dedicated the heartfelt 2002 track 'Hailie's Song' to her, rapping: "My baby girl keeps getting older/ I watch her grow up with pride ... My insecurities could eat me alive/ But then I see my baby / Suddenly I'm not crazy / It all makes sense when I look into her eyes."