Nashawn Breedlove Dies: ‘8 Mile’ Actor Was 46

Nashawn Breedlove, best known for battle-rapping Eminem in the 2002 film 8 Mile, has died. Bronx rapper Mickey Factz announced Breedlove’s death on Instagram. Breedlove died in his sleep Sunday at his home in New Jersey, a family member tells TMZ. A cause of death is not known. He was 46.

Breedlove played Lotto, a rapper who squared off with Eminem in 8 Mile.

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“RIP to one of the few emcee’s to beat Eminem… Lotto from 8 Mile. You will be missed for your tenacity and aggressiveness,” Mickey Factz wrote.

Directed by Curtis Hanson, 8 Mile starred Eminem in a story loosely based on his life and rise to stardom. Eminem plays Jimmy, a white rapper that uses the stage name B-Rabbit and his journey to launch his hip-hop career. The film also starred Kim Basinger, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi Phifer, among others. Eminem won an Oscar for Best Original Song, “Lose Yourself.”

Watch a clip of the battle-rapping scene between Eminem and Breedlove below:

Rapper Daylyt remembered Breedlove in a comment below Mickey Factz’s Instagram post. “The first MC who was ever robbed of his win in a rap battle! Rip Lotto.”

Prior to 8 Mile, Breedlove, who rapped under his stage name OX, was featured on the soundtrack for the 2001 movie The Wash, starring Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, with the song “Don’t Talk Sh*t”.

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