Eminem raps about his father abandoning him as a child, his turbulent affair with his ex-wife Kim, and his irreparably damaged relationship with his mother Debbie.

For an update on Em’s relationship with his mother, check “Headlights” from his 2013 album The Marshall Mathers LP2:

But I’m sorry, Mama, for “Cleanin' Out My Closet”
At the time I was angry, rightfully? Maybe so
Never meant that far to take it, though
‘Cause now I know it’s not your fault and I’m not making jokes
That song I no longer play at shows and I cringe every time it’s on the radio

Also for an update on his relationship with Kim, check out “Bad Husband” from his 2017 album Revival.

In 2015, D12 member Kuniva stated that this song’s instrumental was originally going to be used for D12’s debut studio album Devil’s Night. In 2020, Eminem recalled that he made the beat in the studio with D12 member Bizarre, with the intention of Bizarre using it. Through their recollections, it appears that Bizarre wanted to go in an extreme direction with the song, and when he received pushback from his D12 crew, he abandoned it, leaving it available for Eminem to work with.