TMZ, NBC, MTV amongst other reliable news sources have confirmed the death of Hip Hop Legend Nate Dogg.
Born Nathaniel D Hale in 1969, Nate began singing in church in Clarksdale, Mississippi at Life Line Baptist Church where his father (Daniel Lee Hale) was Pastor. At the age of 16 he dropped out of High School and joined the United States Marine Corps.
The story is that in 1991 Nate Dogg, teamed up with his cousins Snoop Dogg and Warren G to form the group 213. Dr. Dre heard the demo at a house party and became interested in Nate’s unique soulful sound.
Dr. Dre debuted Nate Dogg on his 1993 Classic Album “The Chronic”, and signed him to Death Row Records. Also that same year, Nate teamed up with Mista Grim and Warren G for “Indo Smoke” on the “Poetic Justice” Soundtrack.
in 1994 Nate produced his first single and would collab again with Warren G to give us the timeless hit “Regulate”, released on the Soundtrack for the movie “Above The Rim” (featuring soon to be fellow Death Row artist 2Pac) and on Warren G’s debut album “Regulate, The G Funk Era”.
Nate Dogg made numerous cameos on albums of other Death Row artists including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, Warren G and 2Pac. He released solo albums “G-Funk Classics Vol. 1 & 2” in 1998, “Music & Me” in 2001, and his self-titled album in 2004.
As of 2004, Nate Dogg had been featured in and contributed to over 40 chart singles.
In 2002, Nate Dogg appeared on a celebrity episode of the popular TV game show Weakest Link. He was one of the last three players before being eliminated by Xzibit and Young MC…….(that had to be fixed, eliminated by Young MC, pssssshhhhh). Also in 2002, he was arrested in Arizona and charged with firearms and drug offenses. Nate pled guilty and was sentenced to probation, community service and ordered to attend drug counseling.
Nate Dogg suffered two strokes, the first in December 2007, causing the left side of his body to be paralyzed, it was reported however, doctors expected him to make a full recovery.
The second stroke took place in September 2008. Shortly after the second stroke Warren G confirmed that Nate was undergoing physical therapy attempting to recover.
The Press-Telegram in Nate Dogg’s Hometown of Long Beach, CA was the first to report of Nate’s family announcing his passing at 10:23 PM PST late Tuesday March 15, 2011.
At time of publication the cause of death has not yet to be disclosed, Nate “Dogg” Hale was 41
