Since his explosion onto the scene in 1999 with the Slim Shady LP, Eminem (real name Marshal Mathers) has become one of the most popular hip-hop artists in the world and is, officially, the best-selling rapper of all time.
Despite having some of the most recognisable hits of all time, on many occasions, Mathers has admitted that there are songs of his own that today he hates. Furthermore, he has admitted that some of his tracks he now regrets he even made. In fact, he regretted it so much he even penned an apology following its release.
Eminem’s problematic relationship with his mother was somewhat of a spectacle in the early 2000s, and in his later age, he has grown to regret his 2002 track ‘Cleanin Out My Closet.’In the song, he labels his mother a “selfish b*tch” and proudly declares he hopes she “burn in hell”.
Mathers also mocks her previous addiction, with lyrics concerning his mother, ‘poppin’ prescription pills.’ This is not the only song in which the Detroit native scolds his mum, Debbie.
In ‘Without You’ he screams, “F*ck you Debbie!” However, in his 2013 song ‘Headlights’, the rapper apologised to his mother for ‘Cleanin Out My Closet’, and declared he would no longer play it at shows, rapping, “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 / Now I know it’s not your fault, and I’m not making jokes / That song I no longer play at shows, and I cringe every time it’s on the radio.”
Following the track’s release in 2002, Mathers’ mother was so offended she sued him for defamation, which was a long and costly hindrance to the lyricist who had only recently entered the mainstream.
In a 2010 interview with RapUp magazine, when asked about his mother and whether he would ever talk to her again, Mathers responded, “I’m not sure, to be honest. It’d be very hard to repair that relationship.”
You can listen to ‘Cleanin Out My Closet’ below.