Debbie Nelson, mother to Eminem, is reportedly dead at 69.
According to TMZ, who was first to report the news on Tuesday, Nelson died this week at a hospital in Missouri following a lung cancer battle. Additional information was not immediately available.
Em and his mother’s relationship was a complicated one, and very publicly so. Lifelong Em fans need no explanation on the specifics, though it’s worth pointing out in light of this week’s news that “Headlights,” a Nate Ruess-featuring song released back in 2013 as part of his Marshall Mathers LP sequel, saw the 15-time Grammy winner taking a hard look at his past lyrics about Nelson.
In the first verse of the track, which he later told Zane Lowe contains “everything that I need to say” about the relationship, Em rapped:
"I went in headfirst, never thinkin' about who what I said hurt
In what verse, my mom probably got it the worst
The brunt of it, but as stubborn as we are, did I take it too far?"
Spike Lee directed the acclaimed track's video, released in 2014, movingly taking viewers on a sweepingly emotional journey from the perspective of Em’s mother.
In the “Headlights” lyrics, Em also specifically mentioned his 2002 Eminem Show hit “Cleanin’ Out My Closet,” which took a more frustration-fueled approach to looking back on his younger years and his relationship with Nelson, pictured above at a Detroit event circa 2005.
Back in September, reports surfaced of Nelson having been given an “advanced lung cancer diagnosis,” with sources at the time saying the situation was terminal. In 2022, Nelson shared a special video message in celebration of her son’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame that year.
“I wanna say, Marshall, I could not let this day go by without congratulating you on your induction into the Hall of Fame,” she said at the time. “I love you very much. I knew you’d get there. It’s been a long ride and I’m very, very proud of you.”
In the same video, Nelson also congratulated Em’s daughter, Hailie Jade, on the success of her Just a Little Shady podcast.
RIP.