On a sunny morning in Detroit on June 4, 2025, Marshall Bruce Mathers III—better known to the world as Eminem—stepped out of his private world to share a special moment with his three-month-old grandson, Elliot Marshall McClintock. The 52-year-old rap legend, whose career has spanned nearly three decades and earned him 15 Grammy Awards, took Elliot to the Detroit Aquarium for a day of play and learning, offering the newborn a glimpse into the wonders of the world around them. The outing, a rare public sighting of Eminem in his new role as a grandfather, has since warmed the hearts of fans, showcasing a softer side of the artist who has often been defined by his fierce lyrics and tumultuous past.

Eminem’s journey into grandfatherhood began on March 14, 2025, when his daughter Hailie Jade Scott welcomed her first child with her husband, Evan McClintock. Hailie, 29, announced Elliot’s arrival on Instagram, sharing a photo of the baby in a knitted hoodie with the caption, “3 weeks earthside little e 🤍,” revealing that Elliot was born three weeks early. The baby’s middle name, Marshall, is a tribute to Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III—a nod to the deep familial ties that have always been central to the rapper’s life. Hailie, who hosts the podcast Just a Little Shady, shared the news of her pregnancy in Eminem’s October 2024 music video for “Temporary,” a heartfelt track addressed to her, featuring a customized Detroit Lions jersey labeled “GRANDPA.” The moment marked a significant milestone for Eminem, who has long prioritized his role as a father to Hailie, Alaina, and Stevie, and now embraces being a grandfather with the same dedication.

The decision to visit the Detroit Aquarium was a natural one for Eminem, who has always sought to provide his children—and now his grandson—with the experiences he lacked growing up. Born on October 17, 1972, in St. Joseph, Missouri, Eminem had a turbulent childhood marked by poverty and instability. His father abandoned the family when he was just 18 months old, and his mother, Deborah Nelson, struggled to hold down jobs, moving frequently between Missouri and Detroit. Eminem often lived in public housing projects, changing schools two or three times a year, which left him isolated and bullied, as he recalled in a 2004 interview with Rolling Stone. Music became his escape, but material comforts were scarce, and he has since made it his mission to give his family everything he didn’t have, as he told Q magazine in 2001: “Everything that I am doing right now is for Hailie … the money—it’s for her college.”

On this particular morning, Eminem arrived at the aquarium just after it opened, hoping to avoid crowds and maintain the privacy he values so deeply. Dressed in a black hoodie, jeans, and a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes—a look that has become his off-stage uniform—he carried Elliot in a baby carrier, the infant bundled in a soft blue onesie. Hailie and Evan, who had driven separately, joined them shortly after, giving Eminem a few moments alone with his grandson before the family day officially began. The Detroit Aquarium, a small but beloved local attraction, offered a perfect setting for a quiet outing, with its colorful exhibits of marine life providing a backdrop for both play and learning.

Eminem, who has often been described as a hands-on father, took to his new role as a grandfather with a gentle enthusiasm that contrasted with his public persona as the fiery Slim Shady. As they approached the first exhibit—a tank filled with vibrant tropical fish—Eminem pointed out the bright colors to Elliot, his voice soft and playful. “Look at that, little man—see the yellow one? That’s a clownfish, just like Nemo,” he said, referencing the animated film that had been a favorite of Hailie’s during her childhood. Though Elliot was too young to understand, he gazed at the tank with wide eyes, his tiny hands reaching out as if to touch the glass. Eminem smiled, a rare expression for a man who has spent much of his life guarding his emotions, and adjusted the baby carrier to give Elliot a better view.

As they moved through the aquarium, Eminem used the opportunity to teach Elliot about the world around them, drawing on his own love for storytelling—a skill that has made him one of hip-hop’s greatest lyricists. At the jellyfish exhibit, he explained how the creatures float gracefully through the water, their translucent bodies glowing under the lights. “They don’t have a brain, but they’ve been around for millions of years—kinda like some people I know,” he quipped, a hint of his signature humor slipping through. Hailie, overhearing the comment, laughed and playfully nudged her father, saying, “Dad, you’re supposed to be teaching him science, not sarcasm!” The lighthearted exchange was a testament to the close bond between Eminem and Hailie, who has grown into a confident woman while remaining her father’s biggest supporter, as seen when she celebrated his 2022 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The outing wasn’t just about fun—it was also a chance for Eminem to impart lessons about resilience and curiosity, values that have shaped his own life. At the shark tank, he told Elliot about how sharks are often misunderstood, feared for their strength but vital to the ocean’s ecosystem. “Sometimes people are gonna judge you before they know you, but you gotta keep swimming, just like these guys,” he said, his voice carrying a quiet intensity that reflected his own experiences with public scrutiny. Eminem’s career has been marked by controversy, from the violent and misogynistic lyrics of The Marshall Mathers LP (2000) that drew criticism from figures like Lynne Cheney to his battles with addiction, which he overcame with the help of his family, as he shared in a 2004 Rolling Stone interview. Now, as a grandfather, he’s determined to pass on the lessons he’s learned to Elliot, ensuring the next generation has the tools to navigate life’s challenges.

The day at the aquarium also offered Eminem a moment of reflection on his own journey as a parent. As he watched Elliot marvel at a sea turtle gliding through the water, he thought back to the early days of raising Hailie, when he worked 60-hour weeks at Gilbert’s Lodge for minimum wage, only to be fired just before Christmas, as he recounted in a 2004 interview. Those struggles fueled his drive to succeed, leading to the release of The Slim Shady LP in 1999, which propelled him to global fame. Now, standing in the aquarium with his grandson, Eminem felt a sense of peace, knowing he had built a life where Elliot could experience the simple joys of childhood without the hardships he faced.

The outing didn’t go entirely unnoticed. A few aquarium visitors recognized Eminem despite his low-key appearance, and one snapped a discreet photo of him holding Elliot near the penguin exhibit, sharing it on social media. The image quickly went viral on platforms like X, with fans expressing their delight at seeing the rapper in such a tender role. “Eminem taking his grandson to the aquarium is the wholesome content I didn’t know I needed,” one user wrote. Another commented, “From ‘Lose Yourself’ to teaching Elliot about fish—Marshall Mathers is the best grandpa ever.” The moment resonated with fans who have followed Eminem’s evolution from a controversial figure to a reflective family man, as seen in his 2024 album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), which grapples with his alter ego and legacy.

For Eminem, the day was a reminder of what truly matters. As they left the aquarium, he carried Elliot to the car, promising to bring him back when he’s older. “We’ll come see the sharks again, little e,” he said, kissing the baby’s forehead. Hailie smiled, grateful for the bond her father was already forming with her son. For a man who once rapped about his struggles in The Marshall Mathers LP, Eminem’s trip to the aquarium with Elliot was a quiet victory—a chance to teach, play, and create memories that will last a lifetime, proving that even a rap god can find joy in the simplest moments of grandfatherhood.