Eminem and his half-brother, Nathan “Nate” Mathers, lost their mother, Debbie NelsonSunday, Dec. 2, at age 69 after a battle with lung cancer. The rapper’s complicated history with his mother is well-known, but Nathan’s social media posts after her death offered a glimpse into their family dynamic.
As the news broke, Nate shared a black screen on his Instagram story with the message: “Hate and mixed emotions today.”
© Nathan Kane MathersAlthough Eminem’s fame often overshadows his brother’s, the two have had a troubled history. Both have spoken about their tumultuous upbringings, and Nathan’s post reflects the complex emotions tied to their pasts.
Nathan’s childhood
Nathan was born in 1986 when Eminem was 13 to their mother, Debbie, and her boyfriend. Fred Samra. sadly, Nathan spent nearly a decade in foster care. Eminem described the harrowing incident in a 2004 Rolling Stone interview, recalling how Nathan was suddenly taken from school. “He didn’t know what was going on. Everything that was going on in my life was going on in his,” he said.
Eminem promised to take Nathan in and applied for legal guardianship at age 20 but “had no way.” At age 27, Nathan finally got custody amid his legal battle with their mother, when he was 16.
Where is Nathan today?
Nathan followed in Eminem’s footsteps, pursuing music and acting. He credits Eminem with teaching him the craft and appearing with his niece Hayley Z podcast, Just a Little Shady“I learned from your father, my brother, how to sing and write formulas,” he shared. By experimenting with his voice and writing skills, Nathan eventually became confident enough to record and produce his own songs.
In 2009, he released “Slide On Over”, which he later performed with his niece. By Alaina Scott Wedding reception, per people. Also seen in movies like Nathan Devil’s Night: Dawn of the Nine Rouges and starred in some of Eminem’s iconic music videos, including “Without Me” and “Song for the Moment.”
He is a family man
Like his brother, Eminem is a father. Nathan is married Ashley May Mathers in 2018, and they have three children: adriana, LiamAnd carter. Speaking to Jade, Nathan reflected on his brother’s influence: “He was the best role model I could have had to help me be the father I am today.”
