Eminem’s brother Nate Kane Mathers reacts to mother Debbie Nelson's death with emotional post

Nate Kane Mathers, half-brother of Eminem, shares mixed emotions on Instagram after mother Debbie Nelson’s passing.

Nathan “Nate” Kane Mathers, half-brother of rapper Eminem, expressed his complex emotions after their mother, Debbie Nelson, passed away at 69 following a battle with advanced lung cancer. In an Instagram post on Tuesday, he wrote, “Hatred and mixed emotions today,” reflecting the complicated relationship he had with her.

Nate’s emotional post underscores the strained relationship he had with his late mother. Over the years, both he and Eminem were distanced from Debbie, with Nate spending part of his childhood in foster care. Although Eminem later adopted Nate, the brothers’ bond with their mother remained fractured. Despite the difficult past, the news of her passing has clearly left him grappling with mixed feelings.

Although Nate did not specifically mention his mother’s death in his post, it’s well-known that their relationship was tumultuous. Debbie Nelson’s relationship with both of her sons was marked by years of conflict. In fact, nearly two decades before her death, Nelson spoke openly about the rocky relationship with her children. In a 2008 interview with the Village Voice, she revealed her ongoing efforts to reconcile, stating, “I’m not ever gonna give up on my kids. I won’t give up on anybody. There’s hope for everybody. It’s a matter of just basically swallowing your pride.”

Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, has long used his troubled relationship with his mother as inspiration for his music. His 2002 hit “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” detailed the pain and anger he felt towards her. In contrast, his 2013 track “Headlights” reflected a more conciliatory tone, with the rapper expressing regret over their estrangement and wishing he had thanked her for being both his mother and father.

As for Nate, his relationship with his mother was also strained. In September, sources reported that while Eminem had financially supported his mother during her illness, communication between them had ceased for years, leaving the possibility of reconciliation uncertain. Despite this, both brothers have had to confront their complex emotions in the wake of their mother’s death.