Nate Dogg - Wikipedia

American singer (1969–2011) "Nathaniel Hale" redirects here. For other uses, see Nathan Hale (disambiguation). This article is about the American singer. For the Canadian ice hockey player sometimes known by the same moniker, see Nathan MacKinnon.

Nate Dogg
Born	Nathaniel Dwayne Hale(1969-08-19)August 19, 1969Long Beach, California, U.S.
Died	March 15, 2011(2011-03-15) (aged 41)Long Beach, California, U.S.
Burial place	Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Long Beach, California, U.S.
Education	Long Beach Polytechnic High School
Occupations	Singer songwriter rapper
Years active	1992–2008
Works	Nate Dogg discography
Spouse	LaToya Calvin ​(m. 2008)​
Children	9
Relatives	Butch Cassidy (cousin) Snoop Dogg (cousin) Lil ½ Dead (cousin)
Musical career
Genres	R&B West Coast hip-hop G-funk
Labels	Death Row Interscope Breakaway Dogg Foundation Elektra Love & Happiness Nate Dogg, Inc.
Formerly of	213 D.P.G.C.
Musical artist

Nathaniel Dwayne Hale (August 19, 1969 – March 15, 2011), known professionally as Nate Dogg, was an American singer, songwriter, and rapper. He gained recognition for providing soulful choruses and other guest vocals on several notable hip-hop songs between 1992 and 2007, earning him the honorific title "King of Hooks".[1][2]

Hale began his career in 1990 as a member of 213, a hip-hop trio formed with his cousin Snoop Dogg and friend Warren G.[1] Hale frequently collaborated with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Xzibit in the 1990s; his deep vocals became sought after for hooks. In the 2000s, he began working with other artists including Eminem, 50 Cent, Fabolous, Mos Def, and Ludacris. Hale performed on 18 songs that charted on the Billboard Hot 100, 16 as a featured artist and 2 as a primary artist. These included "21 Questions" (2003) by 50 Cent, which reached number 1, "Regulate" (1994), which reached number 2, and "Shake That" (2006), which reached number 6.[3] "Regulate" was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 37th Annual Grammy Awards.[4][5]

Hale released three studio albums, as well as several singles as a solo artist. Hale suffered extensively from alcoholism. On March 15, 2011, after suffering two strokes, Hale died at the age of 41 of congestive heart failure.

Biography

[edit]

Early life

[edit]

Nathaniel Dwayne Hale was born on August 19, 1969, in Long Beach, California.[6][7][8][a] He had three brothers: Samuel Hale, Emmanuel (Manuel) Hale, and Daniel Hale Jr., and two sisters: Pamela Hale-Burns and LaTonia Hale-Watkins.[8] His cousins include rappers Butch Cassidy and Snoop Dogg.

His family moved to Clarksdale, Mississippi, where he spent most of his childhood.[10][7] His first performance was at the age of 4 at Life Line Baptist Church in Clarksdale, where his father was a pastor and his mother led the choir.[9][11]

At age 14, after the divorce of his parents, Hale moved to Long Beach with his mother.[10] Hale attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School.[12] He sang in the choir at the New Hope Baptist Church in Long Beach.[13][14]

At age 17, Hale dropped out of high school, left home, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.[14][15] He was stationed at Camp Schwab in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, in the Matériel Readiness Battalion of the 3rd Force Service Support Group, which supplied ammunition to most of the Pacific Ocean. After three years as an ammunition specialist, he received a military discharge in 1989 and returned to Long Beach.[14][16]

Musical career

[edit]

213

[edit]

In 1990, Nate Dogg, and friends Snoop Dogg and Warren G formed a rap trio called 213.[4][17] They recorded their first demo tape in the back of VIP Records in Long Beach. The demo was heard by Dr. Dre, the stepbrother of Warren G, who then invited the group to his studio.[18]

Solo career

[edit]

Hale debuted on Dr. Dre's first solo album, The Chronic (1992) and his singing, complementing the new gangsta rap sound G-funk, was well received by critics. He signed to Dr. Dre's label, Death Row Records, in 1993.[19] Nate Dogg was also featured on Snoop Dogg's debut solo album, Doggystyle, in 1993, his singing was prominent on the track "Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None)".[20]

In 1994, Hale co-wrote and sang on "Regulate" with Warren G.[19]

That year, Hale was featured on "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" on Thug Life, Volume I from Thug Life.[21]

In July 1998, amid his departure from Death Row Records, the label released his double album, G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 & 2. It included the singles "Nobody Does It Better", which peaked at number 18 the Billboard Hot 100 chart in August 1998 and "Never Leave Me Alone", which had peaked at number 33 in November 1996.[3]

In 2001, his Elektra Records follow-up, Music & Me, peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[22]

Hale had an eponymous album slated for release in 2003, it was shelved by Elektra Records and released as a bootleg recording.[citation needed]

Hale was sought to sing the hook on other artists' tracks. His notable collaborations, 16 of which charted on Billboard Hot 100, include "All Bout U" (1996) by Tupac Shakur, "The Next Episode" (2000) by Dr. Dre, "Gangsta Nation" (2003) by Westside Connection, "Oh No" (2000) by Mos Def, "Can't Deny It" (2001) by Fabolous, "Lay Low" (2001) by Snoop Dogg, "Area Codes" (2001) by Ludacris, "Ooh Wee" (2003) by Mark Ronson, "The Streets" (2002) by WC, "I Like That" (2004) by Houston, "'Till I Collapse" (2002) and "Shake That" (2006) by Eminem, and "Have a Party" (2006) by Mobb Deep.[23][3]

In 2002, Hale was on a celebrity episode of Weakest Link, where, eliminated by Xzibit and Young MC, he was among the final three.[24]

In 2007, Hale founded Innate Praise, a gospel music choir.[7] Jacob Lusk successfully auditioned for and joined the choir.[25]

In November 2012, a posthumous studio album entitled Nate Dogg: It's a Wonderful Life from Seven Arts Music and United Media & Music Group was speculated; however, the album was never released.[26]

In 2015, Warren G released Regulate... G Funk Era, Part II, which features previously unreleased audio and verses from Hale on every track.[27]

In June 2024, Flex (UK) released "6 in the Morning", which sampled Hale's vocals. It charted in the UK.[28]

Artistry

[edit]

Hale was known for his deep, melodic vocals, with his music often described as a mix between R&B and rapping, and his vocal range between tenor and baritone.[29]

Hale said he was influenced by the gospel music he performed in the church choir as a child, as well as the soul music he listened to as a child. He cited Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire as some of his biggest musical influences.[30]

Hale is considered to be the inventor of "gangsta singing", a singing style that blends R&B and soul vocals with gangsta rap lyrics. The style was heavily influential to urban culture and used by R. Kelly and Chris Brown.[31]

Legal issues

[edit]

Hale was charged for a 1991 robbery of a Check Changers check cashing facility and for a 1994 robbery of a Taco Bell in San Pedro, but was acquitted in 1996.[32][33][34]

In 1996, he was convicted of a drug offense in Los Angeles County and was thereafter barred from owning a firearm.[35][36]

In June 2000, Hale was charged with kidnapping, domestic violence, terrorist threats, and arson for allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend and setting her mother's car on fire in Lakewood.[37] That day, Dr. Dre posted a $1 million bond so that Hale could perform at the Up in Smoke Tour.[38]

The charges were dismissed in March 2001; however, in August 2001, he pleaded no contest to illegal gun possession by a felon and received a $1,000 fine and three years' probation.[39][40]

In April 2002, outside of Kingman, Arizona, a tour bus carrying Hale was found with two pistols and four ounces of cannabis. He was booked and then released on a $3,500 bond.[41][42] The next month, the weapon charges were dropped for his guilty plea on a drug charge, and he was sentenced to probation, community service, and drug counseling.[43][44]

In July 2006, Hale was charged with misdemeanor aggravated trespassing, telephone harassment, battery assault, dissuading a witness from reporting a crime, and breaking a restraining order after allegedly breaking into the house of his ex-girlfriend and punching her new boyfriend. On March 20, 2008, he pleaded guilty to trespassing and battery and lost gun-ownership rights for ten years, received three years' probation, and was ordered to a domestic violence intervention program.[45][46]

In June 2008, after allegedly threatening his estranged wife by emails and chasing her on Interstate 405, Hale was charged with two felony counts of criminal threats and one count of stalking; he pleaded not guilty. In April 2009, after the alleged victim failed to contact prosecutors, the charges were dropped.[47][48]

Health problems and death

[edit]

Hale suffered extensively from alcoholism to the point where he usually needed a bottle of Hennessy by his side, even when hospitalized. He also extensively smoked cannabis.[49]

In 2007, Hale was involved in a traffic collision that may have exacerbated his health issues.[50]

On December 19, 2007, Hale was admitted to Pomona Valley Hospital after suffering a stroke. He was released from the hospital a week later, on December 26, to enter a physical medicine and rehabilitation facility.[51] He suffered from hemiparesis; the stroke weakened the left side of his body. However, neither his cognition nor his voice were affected.[citation needed]

Ten months later, on September 5, 2008, Hale suffered a second, more serious stroke leading to his re-hospitalization.[52] The second stroke left Hale paralyzed and unable to speak, breathing through a tracheotomy tube.[7] By January 2010, he regained some limited mobility, such as the ability to lift his head.[53]

On March 15, 2011, two years and four months after his second stroke, Hale died in Long Beach at the age of 41 due to complications of the two strokes, including congestive heart failure.[7][54][4] He was interred in Long Beach at Forest Lawn Memorial Park after a ceremony attended by 1,100 people.[55] In 2020, he received a new headstone.[10][2]

Personal life

[edit]

Hale had 9 children[56] and died without a will and testament; after his death his children fought over his estate with his grandmother, Ruth Holmes, and Hale's wife, Latoya Calvin, to whom Hale was married for only 19 days in 2008 before a divorce was filed but never finalized.[57] However, since Calvin was legally married to Hale at the time of his death, she was entitled to a portion of his estate.[56]

His estate was estimated to be worth $2.7 million; his music catalog worth $4 million.[58] After Hale died, his home in Pomona, California went into foreclosure; he had not made payments since December 2010.[55] He owed $144,000 in taxes at the time of his death.[56]

In 2013, Naijiel Hale, one of Nate Dogg's sons, was committed to play football at the University of Washington.[59] Naijiel creates music under the stage name NHale and released his debut album, Young OG, in 2020.[60] He was shot in the forearm while getting a haircut the day before his high school graduation and began smoking cannabis to deal with the pain and trauma, leading to failed drug tests that led to his dismissal from the team. He was later arrested for felony distribution of dangerous drugs.[61]

Nathaniel Jr., another one of Nate Dogg's sons, released an album under the stage name Lil Nate Dogg.[61]

Discography

[edit] Main article: Nate Dogg discography See also: 213 discography

Studio albums

• G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 (1997)
• G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 & 2 (1998)
• Music & Me (2001)
• Nate Dogg (2003)

Collaborative albums

• The Hard Way (with 213) (2004)

Filmography

[edit]

• One on One (2002)
• Doggy Fizzle Televizzle (2002–2003)
• Head of State (2003)
• The Boondocks (2008)

Awards and nominations

[edit]

Nate Dogg was nominated for four Grammy Awards.

Category	Song	Year	Result
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (with Eminem)	"Shake That"	2007	Nominated
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (with Ludacris)	"Area Codes"	2002	Nominated
Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (uncredited with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg)	"The Next Episode"	2001	Nominated
Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (with Warren G)	"Regulate"	1995	Nominated

Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Some sources say he was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi.[9]

References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Cartwright, Garth (March 16, 2011). "Nate Dogg obituary". The Guardian.
2. ^ a b Mamo, Heran (March 2, 2020). "Nate Dogg's Elaborate New Headstone Honors the Late 'King of Hooks'". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022.
3. ^ a b c "Nate Dogg". Billboard.
4. ^ a b c Bush, John. "Nate Dogg: Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on January 14, 2020.
5. ^ "Warren G". Grammy Awards.
6. ^ Kennedy, Gerrick D.; Nelson, Valerie J. (March 17, 2011). "Nate Dogg dies at 41; West Coast rapper created the blend of singing-rapping known as G-funk". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles. ISSN 0458-3035. Archived from the original on March 21, 2011.
7. ^ a b c d e Caramanica, Jon (March 17, 2011). "Nate Dogg, Hip-Hop Collaborator, Dies at 41". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022.
8. ^ a b Mellen, Greg (March 15, 2011). "Rapper Nathaniel Hale — Nate Dogg — dies at 41". Press-Telegram. Long Beach, California. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022.
9. ^ a b "Nate Dogg". Clarksdale, Mississippi. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022.
10. ^ a b c Solo, Brittany M. (February 29, 2020). "Nate Dogg receives a new headstone at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Long Beach". Press-Telegram.
11. ^ "5 Things You Didn't Know About Nate Dogg". Rickey Smiley Morning Show. August 19, 2011.
12. ^ Williams, Marcel (July 25, 2018). "Warren G's Brilliance Revealed In YouTube's 'G-Funk' Documentary". Vibe.
13. ^ Grossberg, Josh (March 25, 2011). "Nate Dogg Takes His Final Bow". Today. E!.
14. ^ a b c Momodu, Samuel (March 30, 2022). "Nate Dogg/Nathaniel Dwayne Hale (1969-2011)". BlackPast.org.
15. ^ Serpe, Gina (March 16, 2011). "Five Things to Know About Late Rapper Nate Dogg". Today. E!.
16. ^ "Lives in brief: Nate Dogg". The Times. March 19, 2011.
17. ^ "Warren G". Warreng.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2019.
18. ^ Westhoff, Ben (November 19, 2012). "The Making of The Chronic". LA Weekly.
19. ^ a b "Remembering Nate Dogg". BET.
20. ^ REEVES, MOSI (January 27, 2022). "The 40 Greatest Dr. Dre Productions". Rolling Stone.
21. ^ WARREN G EXPLAINS THE MAKING OF "HOW LONG WILL THEY MOURN ME?" WITH TUPAC & NATE DOGG. July 13, 2020 – via YouTube.
22. ^ "Nate Dogg". Banquet Records.
23. ^ Perpetua, Matthew (March 16, 2011). "Nate Dogg's Best Guest Appearances". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 25, 2011.
24. ^ "Pictures: Nate Dogg through the years". Los Angeles Times. March 15, 2011.
25. ^ "'Idol' Contestant Jacob Lusk Was Part of Nate Dogg's Gospel Group: "I Love You Man"". OK!. March 16, 2011. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012.
26. ^ Kennedy, Gerrick D. (November 28, 2012). "Posthumous Nate Dogg album in the works". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020.
27. ^ Balfour, Jay (August 5, 2015). "Regulate...G Funk Era Part II EP". Pitchfork.
28. ^ McIntyre, Hugh (June 6, 2024). "Nate Dogg Posthumously Earns His First New Hit In Two Decades". Forbes.
29. ^ "Rapper and Singer Nate Dogg Dead at 41". Rolling Stone. March 16, 2011. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020.
30. ^ Perrone, Pierre (March 18, 2011). "Nate Dogg: Singer who gave a soulful dimension to a raft of G-funk and gangsta rap records". The Independent. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022.
31. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Godfrey and Vlad Discuss Juice Wrld Disrespecting Nate Dogg". DJ Vlad. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022.
32. ^ "Jury Acquits Rap Singer of 1 Charge, Deadlocks on Another". Los Angeles Times. July 20, 1996.
33. ^ Molloy, Tim (March 16, 2011). "Nate Dogg: Warren G, G-Funk, and the Robbery That Wasn't". TheWrap.
34. ^ Molloy, Tim (March 16, 2011). "Nate Dogg Dead at 41; Crooned on 'Regulate' With Warren G and Other Hits". TheWrap.
35. ^ "Rapper Nate Dogg To Stand Trial". Billboard. March 15, 2001.
36. ^ "DOGG DENIES FIREARM CHARGE". NME. April 2, 2001.
37. ^ "Nate Dogg arrested". TimesDaily. Associated Press. June 16, 2000. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022 – via Google News Archive.
38. ^ "Nate Dogg released on $1 million bail". Record-Courier. December 20, 2001.
39. ^ "Rapper Gets Probation on Gun Charge". Los Angeles Times. August 22, 2001.
40. ^ "Nate Dogg Draws Probation For Firearm Charge". Billboard. August 23, 2001.
41. ^ "Nate Dogg Arrested on Drug Charges". Huron Daily Tribune. April 15, 2002.
42. ^ Seckler, Jim (April 16, 2002). "Rap singer released on bond after drug, gun arrest locally". Kingman Daily Miner. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022 – via Google News Archive.
43. ^ "Nate Dogg Gets Probation In Pot Case". Billboard. May 28, 2002.
44. ^ "Rapper is sentenced for possession of pot". Deseret News. May 27, 2002.
45. ^ DeWitt, Erin (March 27, 2008). "Nate Dogg Pleads Guilty To Domestic Abuse Charges". OC Weekly.
46. ^ "Nate Dogg Pleads Guilty to Domestic Violence Charges". XXL. March 26, 2008.
47. ^ "Stalking charge dropped against Nate Dogg". Sierra Vista Herald. Associated Press. April 1, 2009.
48. ^ ""The Man" Drops Criminal Charges Against Nate Dogg". NBC Washington. April 16, 2009.
49. ^ Erica Beckwith speaking about Nate Dogg on TV One's Unsung. August 15, 2019 – via YouTube.
50. ^ Zaplin, Seth (March 15, 2021). "Remembering Hip Hop Legend Nate Dogg On The 10th Anniversary of His Death". High Times.
51. ^ "Obituary: Nate Dogg 'First We Pray'". Crack in the Road. March 17, 2011.
52. ^ "Nate Dogg stroke more serious than reported". The St. Louis American. September 22, 2008.
53. ^ "Nate Dogg in Therapy: 'He can lift his head'". Vibe. January 26, 2010.
54. ^ Perpetua, Matthew (March 16, 2011). "Rapper and singer Nate Dogg dead at 41". Rolling Stone.
55. ^ a b Gipson, Brooklyne (April 11, 2011). "Nate Dogg's House Goes Into Foreclosure". BET.
56. ^ a b c Brown, Preezy (January 31, 2024). "Nate Dogg's Wife And Nine Children To Split $2.7 Million Estate Payout Equally". Vibe.
57. ^ Coleman II, C. Vernon (May 10, 2015). "Nate Dogg's Son Claims The Rapper's Widow Is Out To Get Family Fortune". XXL.
58. ^ Turner-Williams, Jaelani (March 13, 2025). "Nate Dogg's Son Speaks Out Against Dad's Widow Amid $4 Million Settlement". Complex Networks.
59. ^ "Naijiel Hale, St. John Bosco, Cornerback". 247Sports. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024.
60. ^ NHALE (Nate Dogg S Son) YOUNG OG Full Mixtape 2020 HQ. April 3, 2021 – via YouTube.
61. ^ a b Bell, Max (February 8, 2022). "The Next Episode". The Land Mag.

External links

[edit] Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nate Dogg.

• Nate Dogg at IMDb
• Nate Dogg at Find a Grave

v t e Nate Dogg
Discography
Studio albums	G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 & 2 Music & Me
Compilation albums	Essentials
Collaboration albums	The Hard Way
Singles	"Never Leave Me Alone" "Nobody Does It Better" "I Got Love" "Get Up"
Featured singles	"Indo Smoke" "Regulate" "Let's Play House" "Bitch Please" "Bitch Please II" "The Next Episode" "Oh No" "Where I Wanna Be" "Lay Low" "Can't Deny It" "Area Codes" "Multiply" "The Streets" "21 Questions" "Gangsta Nation" "Ooh Wee" "Time's Up" "I Like That" "Thugs Get Lonely Too" "The Set Up" "Gangsta Party" "Real Soon" "Shake That" "Have a Party" "Boss' Life" "My House"
Other songs	"Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None)" "Xxplosive" "'Till I Collapse"
Related articles	Snoop Dogg 213 Warren G Tha Dogg Pound Death Row Records

v t e 213
Snoop Dogg Warren G Nate Dogg
Studio albums	The Hard Way
Singles	"So Fly" "Groupie Luv"
Other songs	"Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None)"
Related articles	Discography

v t e Tha Dogg Pound
Kurupt (discography) Daz Dillinger (discography) Snoop Dogg Nate Dogg Warren G RBX Lady of Rage Soopafly Bad Azz Big Tray Deee Goldie Loc Lil' C-Style Twinz E-White Xzibit Al B. Sure Lil' ½ Dead Roscoe Butch Cassidy
Studio albums	Dogg Food Dillinger & Young Gotti Dillinger & Young Gotti II: Tha Saga Continuez... Cali Iz Active Dogg Chit That Was Then, This Is Now 100 Wayz DPG 4 Life W.A.W.G. (We All We Got)
Compilation albums	2002 The Last of Tha Pound
Singles	"What Would You Do?" "New York, New York" "Let's Play House"
Other songs	"Bitches Ain't Shit"
Related articles	Discography D.P.G. Recordz

Authority control databases
International	ISNI VIAF 2 GND WorldCat
National	United States France BnF data Italy Czech Republic Norway
Artists	MusicBrainz Grammy Awards
People	Deutsche Biographie
Other	IdRef