Why did Debbie Nelson sue Eminem? Rapper's relationship with his mother explored in the wake of her death

Rapper Eminem's mother, Debbie Nelson, passed away at the age of 69. The news was confirmed by a spokesperson for Mockingbird artist with Detroit Free Press, who stated she died on Monday, December 2, 2024, in St. Joseph, Missouri. While the cause of her death remains unconfirmed, the publication revealed she had been battling cancer for many years.

Eminem a.k.a. Marshall Mathers and his mother shared a seemingly complicated relationship, which the former has detailed in several of his songs, including My Name Is from his 1999 album, The Slim Shady LP. In it, he rapped:

"I just found out my mom does more dope than I do."

The album, Eminem's second, was met with critical acclaim and considered the Detroit artist's breakout project.

The same year, Debbie filed an $11 million lawsuit for defamation of character and emotional distress against her son. The court ruled the suit in her favor, and she received a $25,000 settlement. According to an August 2001 report by ABC News, most of the money went to her lawyer.

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Eminem apologized to Debbie Nelson in his 2013 track Headlights

In her 2008 memoir, My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem, Debbie Nelson revealed she was born at a military base in Kansas. She married Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. when she was just 15 and gave birth to Marshall less than two years later. Nelson raised Marshall and his half-brother, Nathan, as a single mother.

Debbie Mathers Portrait Session (image via Mark Weiss/Getty Images)

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine following the success of The Slim Shady LP, the rapper described his formative years as full of "screaming fights and sordid dramas." He claimed that his mother stole his paychecks and did drugs.

Per a December 2024 article by USA Today, in her lawsuit, Nelson cited twenty-five remarks her son made in various interviews accusing her of substance abuse and violent behavior. In a 2001 interview with Inside Edition, Debbie denied all allegations.

It is to be noted that her mother, Betty Kresin (Marshall's grandmother), sided with the rapper. Citing Kresin's interview with the Detroit Free Press in 1999, the publication wrote:

"I began to think Marshall's name was Come-Here-You-Little-Son-of-a-(expletive)."

Eminem, for his part, continued to address his mother in his songs. This included his 2000 track Kill You, where he rapped:

"My mama used to tell me these crazy things... I realized she was the crazy one"

Nelson hit back at the rapper in her 2-song CD Set the Record Straight, a collaboration with rap duo ID-X (they remain unknown). In the track, Dear Marshall (An Open Letter to EMINEM), some lyrics went: "I was so excited about your success yet so let down by your betrayal," "My unconditional love created a spoiled young man/An angry one too," and "The demeaning me needs to stop."

In the song, she also stated that she "did her best" and that "words really hurt."

Not one to back down, in his 2002 Without Me from The Eminem Show, the Detroit artist rapped:

"I just settled all my lawsuits (F*ck you, Debbie)."

In the same album's second single, Cleanin' Out My Closet, the rapper addressed his various relationships, including his ex-wife Kim and his father, who abandoned him. In the bar referencing Debbie, he rapped:

"But put yourself in my position, just try to envision/ Witnessin' your mama poppin' prescription pills in the kitchen/ B*tchin' that someone's always goin' through her purse and sh*t's missin'"

He also addressed Debbie Nelson's CD, saying, "Wasn't it the reason you made that CD for me, Ma? So you could try to justify the way you treated me, Ma?" A little later in the track, he stated that she wouldn't see his daughter Hailie, even be at her funeral.

In 2008, Debbie released her autobiography, titled My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem, where she defended herself, stating that her son's claims were full of lies. She also added that she was not angry at him, adding, "In my heart I know Marshall still loves me."

In 2009, Eminem released his song, My Mom (from Relapse), where he addressed his struggles with drug abuse. In the track's chorus, he rapped about his mother's alleged addiction and how it affected him, writing:

"My mom loved Valium and lots of drugs/ That's why I am like I am 'cause I'm like her."

A December 2024 article by E! News, citing Eminem's interview with BET in 2011 discussing his mother, wrote:

"Even though we don’t really speak, she is my mother, I do love her and I think I got a better understanding of what she was going through or what she may be going through."

In 2013, the rapper dropped his track Headlights, where he apologized to his mother for airing out their relationship, stating that he doesn't hate her. He rapped:

"Cause to this day we remain estranged and I hate it though/ 'Cause you ain't even get to witness your grandbabies grow/ 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 makin' jokes."

He also stated that he no longer plays the track at his shows and cringes every time it comes on the radio. He also thanked her for raising him as a single mother.

While the pair's relationship in recent years remains unknown, in 2022, when the rapper was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Debbie congratulated her son in a video shared on X.

Eminem has not publicly reacted to Debbie Nelson's death.