Who was Nashawn Breedlove?

Nashawn Breedlove, known for his role in the movie “8 Mile,” has passed away. In the film, he portrayed the character of rapper Lotto, who engaged in a rap battle against Eminem.

Fans of hip-hop are familiar with the 2002 film “8 Mile,” which featured the prominent rapper Eminem in the lead role, alongside well-known actors such as the late Brittany Murphy, Taryn Manning, Anthony Mackie, and others. Among the cast of “8 Mile” was Nashawn Breedlove, who portrayed the character of rapper Lotto. Unfortunately, a recent Instagram post by a notable social media personality has shared the news of Nashawn Breedlove’s passing.

Renowned American hip-hop artist Mickey Factz took to his Instagram on Monday, September 25, and shared a clip from the “8 Mile” film featuring Nashawn. In the clip, Nashawn’s character, rapper Lotto, is seen performing and rapping in front of a live audience.

In the caption, Mickey Factz paid tribute, saying, “RIP to one of the few emcees to go up against Eminem… Lotto from 8 Mile. Affectionately known as ‘OX’ by his friends. You will be remembered for your determination and fierceness.”

As of now, neither Nashawn’s family nor his management has released an official statement regarding his reported passing. HipHopDX reported that rapper Daylyt also expressed his condolences for the late actor in a comment under Mickey’s post, stating, “The first MC who was ever unfairly denied victory in a rap battle! Rest in peace, Lotto.” The outlet further mentioned that artists like Pete Rock, Onyx, and Grafh also reacted to the news of Nashawn’s passing.

Who was Nashawn Breedlove?

In “8 Mile,” Nashawn’s character Lotto initially appears with his crew, who taunt Eminem’s B-Rabbit and his crew by chanting “choke.” The character is later seen heckling other rappers in a parking lot, often alongside Anthony Mackie’s Papa Doc and his girlfriend. Lotto also engages in physical confrontations with Eminem’s B-Rabbit.

During his final rap battle against Eminem in the movie, Nashawn’s character Lotto is seen wearing a white tank top and braids. He delivers sharp bars, including lines like, “I feel bad I gotta annihilate that guy from ‘Leave It to Beaver.’”

Following his role in “8 Mile,” Nashawn, both an actor and musician, pursued a career in rap and notably contributed to the soundtrack of the 2001 film “The Wash,” featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and DJ Pooh. He adopted the rap moniker “Ox.”