Nathaniel Dwayne Hale (August 19, 1969 – March 15, 2011), better
known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician.
Nate Dogg was born in Long Beach, California.[1] He began singing
as a child in the New Hope Baptist Church in Long Beach, and at Life
Line Baptist Church in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where his father
(Daniel Lee Hale) was a pastor.[2] At the age of 16 he dropped out
of high school in Long Beach, California and left home to join the
United States Marine Corps,[3] serving for three years.
He was the friend and partner in the rap game with rappers Snoop
Dogg, Warren G, RBX, Daz Dillinger and was the cousin of Butch Cassidy
and Lil' ½ Dead. Nate, Snoop Dogg and Warren G formed a rap
trio called 213,[4] which recorded its first demo in the back of
the famed V.I.P record store in Long Beach. The demo was later heard
by Dr. Dre at a house party, who was impressed with Nate's soulful
voice.[citation needed]
Nate Dogg made his debut on The Chronic. Singing in what later become
his trademark style, he was well-received by fans and critics alike,
and would go on to sign with Death Row Records in 1993. Nate Dogg
was also featured on Mista Grimm's "Indosmoke" with Warren
G. Then in 1994 he produced his first hit single "Regulate" with
Warren G. Nate Dogg was also featured in many Tupac releases, including
his collaboration record Thug Life: Volume I. In 1998, after a tumultuous
time at Death Row Records, he released another album. The double
album was titled G-Funk Classics Vol. 1 & 2 and was followed
up in late 2001 with Music & Me on Elektra Records. Music & Me
peaked at number three on the Billboard hip-hop charts in 2001.[5]
In 2002, Nate Dogg appeared on a celebrity episode of The Weakest
Link, making it to the last three players before being eliminated
by Xzibit and Young MC.[6]
Nate Dogg was arrested in Arizona in April 2002 and was charged
with firearms and drug offenses.[7] He pleaded guilty in May 2002
and was subsequently sentenced to probation and community service.[8]
He was also ordered to attend drug counseling sessions.[8]
As of 2004, Nate Dogg has featured in and contributed to over 40
chart singles.[9]
After a number of delays and an original release date of April 2004,
his self-titled album Nate Dogg was released on Affiliated Entertainment
Group on June 3, 2008.[10]
Stroke and health
On December 19, 2007, he suffered a stroke,[11] according to a coordinator
for his recently formed gospel choir, Innate Praise.[11] Initial
media reports suggested he had been admitted to Pomona Valley Hospital
Medical Center in Pomona, California after suffering a heart attack.
Erica Beckwith told MTV News that Nate Dogg had been released on
December 26 after being treated for a stroke and had been admitted
to a medical-rehab facility to assist him in his recovery. In January
2008, it was officially reported that the stroke had rendered the
left side of his body paralyzed. Doctors believed there would be
a full recovery, and his voice was not affected. In September 2008,
Nate suffered a second stroke.[12] Warren G later confirmed that
since the second stroke, Nate was undergoing physical therapy in
an attempt to return to some normality, but it was unclear whether
Nate would be able to resume his singing career.[13]
Death
Wikinews has related news: US rapper Nate Dogg dies at age 41
Nate Dogg died on March 15, 2011 in Long Beach, California of congestive
heart failure[1][14] along with complications related to his previous
strokes.[1][15][16][17][18][19] Tributes poured in from collaborators
and friends such as Ludacris, The Game, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Daz
Dillinger, Xzibit, Erykah Badu, Murs, Big Pooh, Big Syke, Fabolous,
Shade Sheist, Knoc-Turn'al, Ice-T, Warren G, Eminem and Lupe Fiasco.[20][19][21][22][23]
Game released a tribute song to Nate Dogg less then 48 hours after
his passing, titled: "All Doggs Go to Heaven (R.I.P. Nate Dogg)" which
samples Nate Dogg's vocals in "Area Codes" and "The
Next Episode".[24]
Discography
Main article: Nate Dogg discography
* G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 & 2 (1998)
* Music and Me (2001)
* The Hard Way (with 213) (2004)
* Nate Dogg (2008)
Filmography
* The Transporter song "I Got Love" (2002)
* Doggy Fizzle Televizzle as singer of the theme song for the sketch "The
Braided Bunch" (2002–2003)
* Head of State as himself (also singer/composer of theme song) (2003)
* Need For Speed: Underground song "Keep it Comin"
* The Boondocks (2008)
Awards/nominations
Nate Dogg was nominated for four Grammy Awards.
Year Category Genre Song Result
2007 Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
(with Eminem) Rap "Shake That" Nominated
2002 Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
(with Ludacris) Rap "Area Codes" Nominated
2001 Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
(uncredited with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg) Rap "The Next Episode" Nominated
1995 Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
(with Warren G) Rap "Regulate" Nominated