Nashawn Breedlove, an underground rapper who famously battled Eminem in 2002’s “8 Mile,” has died. The experienced presenter, known on stage as both Lotto and Ox, allegedly died in his sleep at home in New Jersey on Sunday. He was 46 years old.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of the passing of my beloved son, Nashawn Breedlove.” his mother Patricia wrote on Facebook on Tuesday. “Many of you knew him by his pseudonym ‘Lotto, Ochse,’ a name that reflected his resilience and determination.”
She continued, “Nashawn was a rapper, singer, songwriter and actor. Nobody could deny his talent. Nashawn’s departure from this world has left a huge void in my life that cannot be fully expressed in words. I cannot put into words the pain and hurt I feel.”
A cause of death is not yet known.
Breedlove was mourned on social media by fans of his music and his appearance on “8 Mile.” Fellow battle rapper Mickey Factz argued on Instagram that Breedlove was “one of the few emcees to defeat Eminem…You will be missed for your tenacity and aggressiveness.”
“The first MC to ever be deprived of victory in a rap battle!” wrote rapper Daylyt in the comments, while Onyx – the legendary hip-hop group whose song “Last Dayz” was used as the instrumental for this battle – chimed in with three prayer emojis in tribute.
The fight toward the end of the film, about a white rapper fighting for respect in a predominantly black culture, saw Breedlove ingeniously use Eminem’s characteristics against him – with verses from the New Jersey native allegedly wrote himself.
“I’m going to spew a racial slur, honey, sue me.” He rapped in the Oscar-winning film“This shit is a horror movie, but the black guy doesn’t die in this movie…Fuck Lotto?” Call me your leader, I’m sorry I have to murder that guy from Leave It to Beaver.”
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Breedlove ultimately lost when Eminem turned Lotto’s stage name against him: “My motto: Fuck Lotto, I’ll get the seven digits from your mother for a dollar tomorrow.” The film won Eminem an Oscar for Best Original Song grossed $243 million worldwide.
“He wasn’t just my son; “He was a remarkable man whose character and strength inspired all who crossed his path,” his mother wrote in her Facebook post.
Breeding love previously contributed music for “The Wash,” a 2001 film starring Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. His ex-girlfriend Latisha Harper thanked Factz for the recognition in the comments on his post – and revealed that Breedlove leaves behind a son.
“Nashawn was so humble and unassuming that he didn’t even know he had real fans,” Harper wrote. “He was so talented. Not just Wa[s] He’s a great MC, he sang better than Luther. He blessed me with my son @youngzaak… I will always be his biggest fan.”
An artist in his own rightBreedlove’s son posted a photo of the tragic news with a simple caption: “Glory to my father, the legend of hip hop.”
