Eminem performing at the Detroit: The Concert a Michigan Central concert on June 6, 2024.Photo:Scott Legato/Getty
Scott Legato/Getty
Eminemreturned to the stage for the first time since thedeath of his mother Debbie Nelson— and as he typically does in concert, opted to skip over a lyric that serves as a dig at his late mom.
The rapper, 52, performed at the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Dec. 7 in what was his first public appearance sinceNelson’s deathjust five days earlier.
Nelson died of complications related to lung cancer on Dec. 2 in St. Joseph, Mo., a rep for the star confirmed to PEOPLE. She was 69.
Eminem (born Marshall Mathers) and his mother had a complicated relationship, and his 2002 hit “Without Me” includes a pointed lyric aimed at Nelson, in which he raps, “I just settled all my lawsuits/F— you Debbie.”
Eminem’s mother Debbie Mathers during a portrait session outside her house in September, 2005 in Detroit, Michigan.Mark Weiss/Getty
Mark Weiss/Getty
While performing in Abu Dhabi, the star rapped the song, but chose not to sing the line, and instead let the crowd do it for him, something he does often while performing the track.
The lyrics are a nod to the $10 million defamation lawsuit Nelson filed against her son in 1999, over lyrics on his 1999 debut albumThe Slim Shady LP. The suit was settled out of court two years later for $25,000, most of which went to Nelson’s legal team, according toThe New York Times.
Over the years, Eminem has apologized to his mother through song for rapping about their troubled relationship, namely on the 2002 track “Cleanin’ Out My Closet,” which heavily criticizes Nelson and accuses her of neglect and abuse.
Eminem attends a ceremony honoring Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January 30, 2020. ; minem’s mother Debbie Mathers during a portrait session outside her house in September, 2005 in Detroit, Michigan.Kurt Krieger/Corbis/Getty ; Mark Weiss/Getty
Kurt Krieger/Corbis/Getty ; Mark Weiss/Getty
On his 2013 song “Headlights,” Eminem said he was sorry for “Cleanin’ Out My Closet,” and rapped, “I don’t hate you/’Cause Ma, you’re still beautiful to me/’Cause you’re my mom.”
Nelson toldThe Village Voicein 2008 that there was “hope” she and Eminem might one day reconcile. When he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, sheoffered her congratulationsin a video that was later deleted.
Eminem’sestranged father died in 2019at age 67.
source: people.com
