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The Detroit rapper has explained why he will never perform the song again.
One of the last times Eminem graced the UK with his rapping prowess was also one of the last times he performed one of his most iconic songs.
Despite being in the game for over 20 years, the 51-year-old is still the highest selling rapper of all time, as of 2023, and has a whopping 10 number one albums to his name.
However, there is one song Eminem won’t go near and it’s for good reason too.
One of the last times he performed the 2002 diss track in the UK was at the Reading Leeds festival on 24 August 2013.
Given the controversial and hard-hitting lyrics, it’s no surprise that the US rapper decided to distance himself from ‘Cleanin’ Out My Closet’.
The lyrics centre around Eminem’s often strained relationship with his mum Debbie.
During the song, he calls her as ‘selfish b***h’ and says that he hopes she will ‘burn in hell’.
He goes on to accuse his mum of ‘poppin prescription pills’ and vowing never to let her see granddaughter, Hailie.
At the time, the pair had a fraught relationship, with Debbie filing a lawsuit against the rapper in 1999.
She accused him of slander and deformation, originally suing for $10 million (£7.7m) but eventually settling for $25,000 (£19.4k) in 2001.
Despite hitting out against his mum in other songs, Eminem has since retired ‘Cleanin’ Out My Closet’ and not because of the previous legal battle.
Instead, the rapper seems to have had a change of heart and even made an apology track decades later, called ‘Headlights’ – in which he reveals why he abandoned his earlier work.
The 2014 track begins: “My mum 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 mum.”
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 the track is essentially an apology, the rapper doesn’t shy away from his often turbulent childhood, revealing how he was kicked out on Christmas Eve and his young brother Nathan, was taken into foster care.
He also admits that he hates the ‘dysfunctional relationship’ between him and his mum.
He continues: “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.”
Rounding off the heartfelt apology, he says: “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.”
