"Cleanin' Out My Closet" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his album The Eminem Show (2002). It was the second single released off the album following "Without Me" on July 29, 2002. The instrumental for "Cleanin' Out My Closet" was created by Eminem during the making of D12's debut studio album, Devil's Night. According to group member Kuniva, Bizarre was on the song first, but was talking "crazy" on the record and was encouraged to tone it down. Despite receiving the approval of Dr. Dre, Bizarre decided to pass on the record, and Eminem picked it up from there: "The whole group was like 'Yo, you can't say this shit. It's too much.' So, he got a call from Dr. Dre. And Dre was like 'Say that shit, man. You gotta say it.' [...] He ultimately gave into the group and was like 'You know what? Fuck it, man.
Composition
"Cleanin' Out My Closet" is a hardcore hip-hop and rap rock song written and produced by Eminem and Jeff Bass, the latter of whom provided the guitars, bass, and keyboards. The song's drum programming was handled by DJ Head.
In the song's first verse, Eminem criticizes his mother. The second verse then moves on to how his father abandoned him and his mother did drugs. At the start of the third verse, Eminem states that his comments regarding his mother are not made for the sake of public attention.
Critical reception
AllMusic highlighted this song. David Browne was lukewarm: "The unhealed scars of his childhood are pored over in Cleanin' Out My Closet: In the chorus, he apologizes for making his mama cry, but in the verses, he lashes out at her (you selfish bitch) and vows to be a better dad than his own absentee father (I wonder if he even kissed me goodbye). The song is both fragile and furious, and the syncopated music-box arrangement matches it in tension." J-23 was positive: "Cleanin' Out My Closet" features the album's most personal rhymes as he lets us know just how he feels about his parents. His third verse, dealing with his mother, is truly something to behold." NME also praised the single: "Cleanin' Out My Closet", a stunning outpouring of grief-stricken anger against his mother." RapReviews agreed: "The jokes don't last very long though, because Eminem's next song "Cleanin' Out My Closet" is a direct attack on his mother for not really being one." Rolling Stone praised the song's production: "Cleanin' Out My Closet" feature electric-guitar rhythms fraternizing with hip-hop-sensible drum patterns" and he noted that his (Eminem's) relationship with his estranged mother creates "Cleanin' Out My Closet," possibly the record's most powerful moment."
Personnel
All personnel taken from Tidal
- Eminem – vocals
- Jeff Bass – bass guitar, guitar, keyboards
- DJ Head – drum programming
- Ross Halfin – cover photography
Remixes and mashups
Two remixes of the song feature as European bonus tracks on the Straight from the Lab mixtape later released as a compilation: a Drum and bass remix (which was produced by DJ Green Lantern) and a remix combining the song with "God Is a Girl" by Groove Coverage entitled "(God Is) Cleanin' Out My Closet."
In the mashup video "Atomic Closet" (a fusion of Eminem's original "Cleaning Out My Closet" and Blondie's "Atomic"), Blondie's hit was heavily sampled as the background song, with Eminem rapping throughout. The video was directed by Dr. Dre and Philip Atwell.
The B side "Stimulate" appears on the deluxe edition bonus disc of the soundtrack Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture: 8 Mile, and also appears on Straight from the Lab.
The song was mashed up with "Hotel California" by The Eagles, which appears on DJ Vlad and Roc Raida's mashup mixtape, Rock Phenomenon.
Jon Connor's 2012 mixtape The People's Rapper LP included a remix of the song, as well as other Eminem remixes.
Cover versions
In October 2012, New York City hip-hop artist Angel Haze released a reworked version of "Cleanin' Out My Closet" using their own lyrics, in which they graphically recount their experience with child sexual abuse.
Apology song
Eminem's 2013 album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2, featured a song titled "Headlights" which serves as an apology to Eminem's mother for things he said about her in his songs, "Cleanin' Out My Closet" being the only song mentioned by name. The music video, directed by Academy Award-winning director Spike Lee, shows Eminem's rise to fame through his mother's eyes. In the song, Eminem says he no longer plays "Cleanin' Out my Closet" at shows – with the song last being played at Leeds Festival in England on August 25 – and says he cringes every time he hears it on the radio.
Awards and nominations
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
!Year
!Ceremony
!Award
!Result
|-
| 2003
| MuchMusic Video Awards
| Best international video - artist
|
|-
|}
Track listing
;Digital download
;UK CD single
;UK Cassette
;UK DVD
;German CD single
;German CD single
Charts
Weekly charts
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
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!Chart (2002–2003)
!Peak<br/>position
|-
|-
|-
|-
|-
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! scope="row"| Brazil (ABPD)
|align="center"|23
|-
!scope="row"|Czech Republic (IFPI)
|align="center"|22
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|-
!scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)
|align="center"|3
|-
|-
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Greece (IFPI)
| style="text-align:center;"|8
|-
|-
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Latvia (Latvian Airplay Top 50)
| style="text-align:center;"|11
|-
|-
|-
|-
|-
!scope="row"| Romania (Romanian Top 100)
| style="text-align:center;"|5
|-
|-
|-
|-
|-
|-
|-
! scope="row"| Uruguay (Notimex)
| style="text-align:center;"|2
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|-
|-
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|}
Year-end charts
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
!Chart (2002)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"|Australia (ARIA)
| style="text-align:center;"|40
|-
! scope="row"|Australian Urban (ARIA)
|style="text-align:center;"|13
|-
!scope="row"|Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)
| style="text-align:center;"|46
|-
!scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)
| style="text-align:center;"|42
|-
!scope="row"|Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)
| style="text-align:center;"|59
|-
!scope="row"|Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)
| style="text-align:center;"|28
|-
!scope="row"|Germany (Official German Charts)
| style="text-align:center;"|55
|-
!scope="row"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)
| style="text-align:center;"|73
|-
!scope="row"|Netherlands (Single Top 100)
| style="text-align:center;"|51
|-
!scope="row"|Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)
| style="text-align:center;"|27
|-
!scope="row"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
| style="text-align:center;"|59
|-
!scope="row"|UK Singles (Official Charts Company)
| style="text-align:center;"|94
|-
!scope="row"|US Billboard Hot 100
| style="text-align:center;"|47
|-
!scope="row"|US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)
| style="text-align:center;"|77
|}