'Nate Dogg' Voice of West Coast G-Funk Dies at Age 41
Nate Dogg whose real name was Nathanial Hale, one of raps leading male voices, died yesterday at the age of 41. Dogg, who lived in Long Beach, California had suffered from ill health for several years.
Dogg's deep and soulful voice was a key element in the rise of West Coast G-Funk sound pioneered by Death Row Records in the early 1990. Although he was often overshadowed by other rappers by Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg was well respected and he and his melodic voice will be missed.
MTV.com reports:
"Hale's death was first reported by the Long Beach Press Telegram, which noted that his family announced his death on Tuesday. The cause of death was not announced at press time, but Hale had struggled with serious health issues recently, including suffering a massive stroke in 2007 that left him partially paralyzed and another the following year. A spokesperson for the singer could not be reached for comment at press time for further details on his passing.
Hale was born in Long Beach on August 19, 1969, and dropped out of high school at 16 to join the Marines, where he served for three years. He formed the rap group 213 — a reference to the local area code — in 1991 with then unknown pals Snoop Dogg and Warren G. The group's demo eventually made its way to Dre, who liked Nate's sound and recruited him to participate on The Chronic."
Nate Dogg's death was deeply felt by both Snoop Dog and Daz, a member of DPG. They tweeted the following:
"We lost a true legend n hip hop n rnb," Snoop tweeted. "One of my best friends n a brother to me since 1986 when I was a sophomore at poly high where we met. I love u buddy luv. U will always b wit me 4ever n a day u put the g n g funk u put the 1 n 213 n u put yo stamp on evrybdy u ever didit wit ... I miss u cuzz I am so sad but so happy I got to grow up wit u and I will c u again n heaven cuz u know d slogan. ... All doggs go to heaven yo homie n baby brotha bigg snoopdogg!!"
"R.I.P. TO MY HOMEBOY NATE DOGG DPGC DOGG POUND GANGSTA 4 LIFE," Daz tweeted.
MTV further stated that "Nate was a four-time Grammy nominee, earning his first nod in 1995 for the legendary Warren G collaboration "Regulate," followed by another in 2001 for providing a hook to the Dre and Snoop tune "The Next Episode." He earned his third notice in 2002 for singing on Ludacris' "Area Codes" and another in 2007 for his work on Eminem's "Shake That"
Other entertainers who tweeted about Nate Dogg's passing were Erykah Badu, Game and Xzibit, who said "We love you Nate Dogg, it's never going to be the same." Comedian Dave Chapelle even came of out his reclusiveness to tweet about Nate Dogg's death.
Nate joined the Marines after he dropped out of High School and served our country for four years before embarking on his rap career. He will be deeply grieved and sorely missed.
[via mtv]
by Janine Wallace
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