7. The Death Of Ronnie
Ronnie Polkingharn was Mathers’ uncle, the two were born only two months apart and so they grew up as best friends. Polkingharn was a massive influence on his nephew, he introduced the future superstar to hip hop and breakdancing. The two spent all of their time together and would record rap tapes. They both dreamed of a career in music.
In 1991, Mathers’ received a devastating phone call from his mother stating that his uncle and best friend was dead. He shot himself following a break-up with his girlfriend. We’ve heard the name “Ronnie” mentioned in numerous Eminem songs including, Stan and Cleanin’ Out My Closet.
His lyrics about Polkingharn are always expressing extreme grief over the loss, like in My Dad’s Gone Crazy: “More pain inside of my brain, in the eyes of a little girl inside of a plane aimed at the world trade, standin’ on Ronnie’s grave, screaming at the sky”.
Discussion about this post