While performing his hit song Without Me, which addresses his complex relationship with his mother, Eminem appeared to give a nod to her.
In the song, there’s a harsh lyric that says, “F—k you Debbie,” a line that targets his estranged mother. However, during this performance, the rapper omitted those words, and the crowd sang the lyrics in place of him.
Eminem has openly discussed his turbulent relationship with his mother in several songs, including My Name Is and Cleanin’ Out My Closet. The New York Post reported that the rapper chose to leave out the offensive line in respect following her passing.
His half-brother, Nate Mathers, expressed his grief on social media, writing about the mix of hatred and emotions he felt after the news of their mother’s death broke.
Sources suggest that, despite their strained relationship, Eminem supported his mother financially during her cancer battle, even though they had not been in touch for years.
Eminem and his mother had a difficult history, with the rapper accusing her of abusing prescription pills during his childhood.
In 1999, she sued him for defamation and emotional distress over the lyrics in his debut album, The Slim Shady LP. Although she won the case, she only received $25,000, with much of the amount eaten up by legal fees.
Nelson, 69, passed away after a battle with lung cancer.
