Why is Eminem’s song “Cleanin Out My Closet” so controversial?

July 10, 2024, 11:21

Ahead of the release of Eminem’s 12th studio album, The Death of Slim Shady, fans have discovered an old song called “Cleanin Out My Closet” that he will never play again.

Eminem will release his 12th studio album this week, titled The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), and fans have been preparing to hear his new tracks for the first time.

However, there is one song that Eminem never wants to play again: the controversial hit “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” from 2002, which is one of the most successful singles of his career.

So what are the lyrics to Eminem’s song “Cleanin Out My Closet” and what has he said about the controversy surrounding the song? Here’s everything you need to know.

Why is Eminem’s Cleaning out my closet so controversial?

Released as a single in 2002 from the album The Eminem Show, I’m Cleaning Out My Closet is a song that the rapper never wants to sing again.

Twelve years later, his 2014 song “Headlights” serves as an apology to his mother Debbie, who is the focus of “Cleanin Out My Closet.”

His apology begins: “My mother probably got it the worst. She bore the brunt of it, but as stubborn as we are, did I take it too far?”

“Cleaning Out My Closet” and all the other songs. But whatever, I don’t hate you because you’re a mom. You’re still beautiful to me because you’re my mom.

But I’m sorry, Mom, for cleaning out my closet, I was angry at the time.”

Maybe rightly so, but I never wanted to go that far because. Now I know it’s not your fault and I’m not kidding. I don’t play that song at concerts anymore and I cringe every time it comes on the radio.”

Eminem had a difficult relationship with his mother Debbie and spoke extensively about her addiction and problems on Cleaning out my closet.

He still has pain from his separation from his mother, but forgave her after the song was released in 2014.

The rapper continues Headlights: “And I’m angry that I never got the chance to thank you for being my mom and dad.”

What are the Cleaning out my closet Lyrics by Eminem?

Here are the full lyrics to Eminem’s song “Cleanin Out My Closet” from 2002:

(Introduction)

Where is my sling?

I don’t have a snare in my headphones

Let’s go

Yes

Yo, Yo

(Verse 1)

Have you ever been hated or discriminated against?

I have, I was protesting and demonstrating against

Strike signs for my evil rhymes, look at the times

Sick is the mind of the damned child behind it

All this excitement, emotions are deep like oceans, exploding

The parents get angry, so just ignore them and move on.

I don’t take anything from anyone, I give them hell as long as I breathe

Keep doing this in the morning and write down the names in the evening

Leave a sour taste in the mouth like vinegar

You see, they can trigger me, but they will never understand me

Look at me now! I bet you’re pretty sick of me now

Aren’t you, Mom? I’m going to make you look so ridiculous now!

(Choir)

I’m sorry mom

I never wanted to hurt you

I never meant to make you cry

But tonight I’m cleaning out my closet (again!)

I said: I’m sorry, Mom

I never wanted to hurt you

I never meant to make you cry

But tonight I’m cleaning out my closet (ha!)

(Verse 2)

I have a few skeletons in the closet and I don’t know if anyone knows

So before they throw me in my coffin and close it

I’m going to reveal it. I’m going to take you back to 1973.

Before I ever had a multi-platinum CD

I was a baby, maybe only a few months

My damn father must have slipped into his panties

Because he left, I wonder if he even kissed me goodbye

No, I don’t, come to think of it, I just wish he would die

I look at Hailie and couldn’t imagine leaving her side

Even if I hated Kim, I would grit my teeth and try

To make it work at least for Hailie, I may have made a few mistakes

But I am only human, but I am man enough to face them today

What I did was stupid, undoubtedly it was stupid

But the smartest thing I did was take the bullets out of the gun

Because I killed her, shit, I would have shot Kim and him both

It’s my life, I want to welcome you all to the Eminem Show

(Choir)

I’m sorry mom

I never wanted to hurt you

I never meant to make you cry

But tonight I’m cleaning out my closet (again!)

I said: I’m sorry, Mom

I never wanted to hurt you

I never meant to make you cry

But tonight I’m cleaning out my closet (uh)

(Verse 3)

I would never insult my own mother just to get recognition.

Take a second to listen before you think this record is diss.

But put yourself in my shoes, try to imagine

Witness your mom popping prescription drugs in the kitchen

Shit that someone always searches her purse and shit is missing

I go through the public housing system, am a victim of Munchausen syndrome

All my life I was made to believe that I was sick, even though I was not

Until I grew up. Now I’ve exploded. It makes you sick, doesn’t it?

Wasn’t that the reason you made this CD for me, Ma?

So you could try to justify the way you treated me, ma?

But you know what, you’re getting older now and it’s cold when you’re lonely

And Nathan will grow up so fast that he will realize that you are a fraud

And Hailie has grown so big now, you should see her, she is beautiful

But you will never see her, she won’t even be at your funeral (ha-ha!)

What hurts me most is that you don’t want to admit that you were wrong.

Bitch, say your song and keep telling yourself that you were a mother!

But how dare you take something from me that you didn’t help me get?!

You selfish bitch, I hope you burn in hell for this shit!

Remember when Ronnie died and you said you wished it was me? (Hehe)

And you know what? I’m dead – as dead as can be to you!

(Choir)

I’m sorry mom

I never wanted to hurt you

I never meant to make you cry

But tonight I’m cleaning out my closet (again!)

I said: I’m sorry, Mom

I never wanted to hurt you

I never meant to make you cry

But tonight I’m cleaning out my closet

Eminem’s child Stevie suggests the rapper didn’t tell them they were adopted