Eminem’s mum Debbie has died due to complications with cancer

Eminem was asked by mum Debbie Nelson to make one change to his music during their very public spat.

Debbie sadly died this week aged 69, with Eminem’s representatives confirming her passing on Monday (2 December).

Her cause of death was given as complications from lung cancer, a statement from his rep, Dennis Dennehy, said.

Debbie and her son – real name Marshall Mathers III – had a troubled relationship ever since his very young years, with Eminem’s half-brother, Nate Mathers, also speaking about their difficulties.

Things got so bad that Debbie once sued Eminem for $10 million (£7.7 million) before later settling the lawsuit out of court.

But it was back in 2000 when Debbie pleaded with her son, demanding he give one her gesture of goodwill so as to keep their personal drama private.

At the time, Debbie issued her own song that addressed many issues she had with her son.

Entitled ‘Dear Marshall’, it features a hip hop beat with Debbie speaking over the top of it, sending a direct message to her son Marshall.

Speaking about a number of issues – and including an apology to her son – the song addresses how Debbie ‘spoilt’ her son; something she says helped ‘create a spoilt and angry young man’.

Saying she still loved him, she recalled the 72 hours she spent in labour giving birth to Mathers back in 1972.

It was ‘worth every minute of it when I looked into those big blue eyes,’ she adds, adding: “This was the first time I ever felt true love in my whole life.”

Later she issues her demand to her son, pleading with him to keep their drama private.

Asking for ‘no more attacks on me and vicious acts of hate’, she said it ‘really hurts’.

Debbie Nelson, mum to Eminem, has died (Mark Weiss/Getty Images)

“Will the real Marshall Mathers please stand up and take responsibility for his actions,” she adds.

The request fell on deaf ears, with Eminem releasing ‘Cleanin’ Out My Closet’ two years later. Arguably his most public and intense take on their relationship, Eminem raps about his childhood where he lived in a home where drug taking took place.

Calling her a ‘selfish b***h’ who he saw ‘poppin’ prescription pills in the kitchen, it was a scathing attack on his mother.

Debbie sued her son for $10m before settling for $25,000, having alleged the song was slanderous and defamatory.

Things changed as Eminem got older, though, with the rapper no longer performing the song live.

He’s one of the greatest rappers of all time (Frans Schellekens/Redferns)

He also issued an apology song called ‘Headlights’, which speaks about their volatile relationship – including being kicked out of the house on Christmas Eve and younger brother Nate being sent to foster care – but ends on a more positive note.

“But ma, I forgive you, so does Nathan yo. All you did, all you said, you did your best to raise us both,” Eminem raps in the apology song. “Foster care, that cross you bare, few may be as heavy as yours. But I love you Debbie Mathers, oh what a tangled web we have.”

Eminem is yet to publicly comment on his mother’s death.