R.I.P. Nate Dogg

Nathaniel "Nate Dogg" Hale 1969- 2011

We are losing people at far too young an age....Yesterday, I awoke to the shocking news that singer ,Nate Dogg, who's beautiful tenor /baritone vocals had laced the tracks to some of my favorite West Coast Hip Hop jams had passed away... Needless to say..I was and am stunned...I was just writing about the loss of Biggie and Tupac last week and now we've lost Nate Dogg.


The West Coast vocalist had consistently struggled with some very serious health issues since a stroke paralyzed his left side in late December 2007. Nine months later, he suffered yet another stroke.

Toward the end of his life, Nate Dogg spent a considerable amount of time in and out of medical rehab facilities undergoing physical therapy in an effort to get his mobility back.

He was born Nathaniel D. Hale on August 19, 1969 in Long Beach, CA, Nate Dogg, like a lot of R&B or secular singers began singing in the church where his father was a pastor.


He left home at 16, dropping out of high school to join the Marine Corps where he served for three years. At 21, he hooked up with Snoop Dogg and Warren G in the rap trio 213.

Nate signed with Death Row Records in 1993. His first hit single, "Regulate," dropped in 1994.

Nate would go on to be featured on several Tupac Shakur records before signing with Elektra. The four-time Grammy nominee had his fair share of troubles, having been arrested on drug and weapons charges in 2002, but he will best be remembered for his contributions to and collaborations on over 40 hit singles between 1991 and 2011.

He died Tuesday, March 15 in his home town of Long Beach, CA.