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
Nate Dogg in 2006
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 well-known rap 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 received attention for his appearance on the latter's 1994 single "Regulate", which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 37th Annual Grammy Awards.[3][4]

Hale became a fixture on the West Coast hip-hop scene, frequently collaborating with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Xzibit in the 1990s; his deep vocals became sought after for hooks, and began working with other artists throughout the 2000s including Eminem, 50 Cent, Fabolous, Mos Def, and Ludacris. As a featured artist, Hale performed on 16 Billboard Hot 100 chart entries, which includes his appearance on the number one-single "21 Questions" by 50 Cent. Hale also guest appeared on the singles "The Next Episode" by Dr. Dre, as well as "'Till I Collapse" and "Shake That" by Eminem. Hale released three studio albums, as well as a string of moderately successful singles as a primary artist in the 1990s. On March 15, 2011, after suffering multiple strokes, Hale died at the age of 41 of congestive heart failure.

Early life

[edit]

Nathaniel Dwayne Hale was born on August 19, 1969, in Long Beach, California.[5][6][7][8][a] Hale met Warren G at Long Beach Polytechnic High School.[citation needed] As a youth, he sang at the New Hope Baptist Church in Long Beach, where his father was a pastor.[7] He also sang at Life Line Baptist Church in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

At age 17, Hale dropped out of high school, left home, and 30 days later enlisted in the US Marines.[10] 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. After three years as an ammunition specialist, he was discharged in 1989. Hale would recall that he joined the military because he "wanted to see if he was a man".[11]

Musical career

[edit]

213

[edit]

In 1990,[12] Nate Dogg, Snoop Dogg,[13] and Warren G formed a rap trio called 213.[12] They recorded their first demo tape in the back of record store V.I.P. in Long Beach. The demo was later heard by Dr. Dre at a bachelor party.[14]

Solo career

[edit]

Nate Dogg debuted on Dr. Dre's first solo album, The Chronic, in 1992. Nate's trademark 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. Nate Dogg also featured on Snoop Dogg's debut solo album, Doggystyle, in 1993, his singing prominent on the track "Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None)".

In 1994, Nate Dogg co-wrote his duet with Warren G, the single "Regulate". That same year, Nate also featured on "How Long Will They Mourn Me?" from Thug Life's album Thug Life, Volume I. In July 1998, amid his departure from Death Row, the label released his double album, delayed about two years, G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 & 2. In 2001, his Elektra Records follow-up, Music & Me, peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[15] He also had an eponymous album that saw unauthorized release in 2003.[citation needed]

Nate Dogg was often sought to sing on other artists' tracks, usually to sing the hook. As a featured artist, he charted 16 times on the Billboard Hot 100, and in 2003 reached No. 1 via 50 Cent's "21 Questions".

Otherwise, his successful collaborations are numerous, including 2Pac's "All Bout U", Dr. Dre's "The Next Episode", Westside Connection's "Gangsta Nation", Mos Def's "Oh No", Fabolous' "Can't Deny It", Ludacris' "Area Codes", Kurupt's "Behind the Walls", Mark Ronson's "Ooh Wee", Houston's "I Like That", Eminem's "'Till I Collapse", "Never Enough", and "Shake That", and Mobb Deep's "Have a Party".[16]

Further, in 2002, appearing on television, Nate Dogg was on a celebrity episode of Weakest Link, where, finally eliminated by Xzibit and Young MC, he was among the final three.[17]

In 2007, Nate Dogg founded a gospel music choir named Innate Praise.[6][18] Auditions were held in June that year,[19] before the choir gave their first public performance in August alongside Jacob Lusk at New Philadelphia A.M.E. Church in Long Beach.[20]

Artistry

[edit]

Hale was known for his deep, melodic vocals, with his music often described as a mix between R&B and Rap, and his vocal range between tenor and baritone.[21] Hale himself considered his voice and style to be mostly influenced by the gospel music he performed in the church choir as a child, though he also grew up listening to soul and cited Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire as some of his biggest musical influences.[22]

He is considered to be the inventor of "gangsta singing", a singing style that consisted in the blend of R&B and soul vocals with gangsta rap lyrics. The style was heavily influential to urban culture, with major R&B artists like R. Kelly and Chris Brown later using it.[23]

Legal issues

[edit]

Hale was charged for a 1991 robbery of a Check Changers shop and for a 1994 robbery of Taco Bell in San Pedro, but was acquitted.[24][25][26]

In 1996, he was convicted of a drug offense in Los Angeles County.[27]

On June 17, 2000, for allegedly assaulting his former girlfriend and setting her mother's car on fire in Lakewood, Hale was charged with kidnapping, domestic violence, terrorist threats, and arson.[28] Dr. Dre posted a $1 million bond.[29] The charges were dismissed while he pleaded no contest to illegal gun possession by a felon,[27] and received a $1,000 fine and three years' probation.[30]

On April 12, 2002, a tour bus carrying Hale, while outside of Kingman, Arizona, was found with two pistols and four ounces of cannabis, whereby he was booked and then released on $3,500 bond.[31] 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.[32]

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. On March 20, 2008, pleading guilty to trespassing and battery, he lost gun-ownership rights for ten years, received three years' probation, and was ordered to a domestic-violence intervention program.[33]

On June 23, 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.[34][35] He pleaded not guilty.[35] In April 2009, as the alleged victim had failed to contact prosecutors, the charges were dropped.[34] Incidentally, he was also convicted of driving under the influence of drugs.[35]

Health problems and death

[edit]

On December 19, 2007, Hale was admitted to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center after suffering a stroke. He was released from the hospital a week later on December 26 to enter a medical rehabilitation facility.[18] While the stroke weakened his body's left side, neither his cognition nor his voice were affected and he was expected to make a full recovery.[36] Ten months later, however, on September 5, 2008, Hale suffered a second, more serious stroke leading to his re-hospitalization.[37] The second stroke left Hale paralyzed and unable to speak,[38] though he would eventually regain some limited mobility, such as the ability to lift his head.[39]

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 multiple strokes;[40] or possibly, and more specifically, congestive heart failure.[3] He was interred in Long Beach at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.[2]

Legacy

[edit]

In 2013, Nate Dogg's son Naijiel Hale was committed to play football at the University of Washington.[41] A couple of years later, in 2015, Nate's other son, Nathaniel Jr., having adopted the stage name Lil Nate Dogg, released his own album, Son of a G.[citation needed] Naijiel would also begin to create music, adopting the stage name NHale, and released his debut studio album, Young OG, in 2020.[42][43]

It was reported a posthumous and final studio album entitled Nate Dogg: It's a Wonderful Life was announced in 2012, with a late spring or early summer 2013 release from Seven Arts Music and United Media & Music Group.[44] As of 2025, the album has not been released and no further announcements have been made.

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, eventually moving to Long Beach in his teens.[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.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
3. ^ a b John Bush, "Nate Dogg: Biography" Archived January 14, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, AllMusic.com, Netaktion LLC, visited April 24, 2020.
4. ^ Joel Whitburn, The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 9th edn. (New York: Crown Publishing, 2010), p 462.
5. ^ 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, California. ISSN 0458-3035. Archived from the original on March 21, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
6. ^ a b 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. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
7. ^ a b "Breaking: Nate Dogg Passes Away at 41 Years Old". HipHopDX. March 16, 2011. Archived from the original on May 14, 2017.
8. ^ Mellen, Greg (March 15, 2011). "Rapper Nathaniel Hale — Nate Dogg — dies at 41". Long Beach Press-Telegram. Long Beach, California. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
9. ^ "Dogg". City of Clarksdale. Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
10. ^ "Joining the Ranks of Famous Marines". USMC.net. Archived from the original on March 19, 2011. Retrieved December 26, 2009.
11. ^ Arnold, Paul (May 28, 2012). "Soulja's Story: 10 Hip Hop Artists Who Served Their Country". hiphopdx.com. Portland, Oregon. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
12. ^ a b "Warren G". Warreng.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
13. ^ Nate Dogg Biography, AllMusic. Retrieved November 2, 2006.
14. ^ Ness, Jimmy (August 25, 2015). "Where Rhythm is Life & Life Is Rhythm: An Interview with Warren G". Passion of the Weiss. Archived from the original on July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
15. ^ Nate- Charts and Awards, AllMusic. Retrieved November 2, 2006
16. ^ Perpetua, Matthew (March 16, 2011). "Nate Dogg's Best Guest Appearances". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 25, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
17. ^ Reid, Shaheem (March 13, 2002). "Xzibit, B-Real, DJ Quik Face Off On Hip-Hop 'Weakest Link'". MTV. New York City. Archived from the original on March 19, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2011.
18. ^ a b "Hannah Montana Contest Winner Apologizes for Fake Essay; Plus 'American Idol,' C-Murder, R.E.M., Birdman & More, in For the Record". MTV. January 4, 2008. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
19. ^ "Auditioning for Nate Dogg; Sing 'Amazing Grace' for Me". YouTube. QBS Talent. April 18, 2010. Retrieved December 5, 2025. MS. ERICA & HIP HOP CROONER NATE DOGG held auditions in June 2007 to form his gospel choir inNATE Praise. 'Marcy' from Nigeria was our final audition singing her favorite 'HYMNAL' ENJOY!
20. ^ "Nate Dogg's Gospel Choir - Innate Praise at New Philly AME with Jacob Lusk!!!". YouTube. Tahera Rene Christy. September 4, 2007. Retrieved December 5, 2025. Nate Dogg's NEW Gospel Choir at our first public performance [...] Innate Praise at New Philly AME, August 2007
21. ^ "Rapper and Singer Nate Dogg Dead at 41". Rollingstone.com. March 16, 2011. Archived from the original on September 19, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
22. ^ "Nate Dogg: Singer who gave a soulful dimension to a raft of G-funk and gangsta rap records". The Independent. March 18, 2011. Archived from the original on June 18, 2022.
23. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Godfrey and Vlad Discuss Juice Wrld Disrespecting Nate Dogg". Vladtv.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
24. ^ "L.B. Rapper Nate Dogg Out On Bail in Robbery Charge". Press-Telegram. December 14, 1994. Archived from the original (Fee required) on October 25, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
25. ^ "Nate Dogg Acquitted of '91 Robbery Charges". Press-Telegram. July 22, 1996. Archived from the original (Fee required) on October 25, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
26. ^ "L.B. Rapper Suspected of Robbery" (Fee required). Press-Telegram. December 19, 1994. Archived from the original on December 28, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
27. ^ a b "Firearm charges dog another rapper". The Post and Courier. March 16, 2001. Retrieved March 24, 2011.[permanent dead link]
28. ^ "Nate Dogg arrested". Associated Press. June 16, 2000. Archived from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
29. ^ "Rapper Nate Dogg Charged on 5 Counts" (Fee required). Press-Telegram. July 15, 2000. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
30. ^ "Rapper Nate Dogg takes plea bargain". Press-Telegram. August 22, 2001. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
31. ^ 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. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
32. ^ Callahan-Bever, Noah (May 28, 2002). "Nate Dogg Sentenced For Drug Possession". MTV News. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
33. ^ "Nate Dogg Pleads Guilty In Domestic Violence Charge". HipHopDX. March 27, 2008. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
34. ^ a b "Stalking charge dropped against Nate Dogg". Associated Press. April 16, 2009. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
35. ^ a b c "Nate Dogg Pleads Not Guilty to Making Threats, Stalking Estranged Wife" (Fee required). Long Beach Press-Telegram. July 17, 2008. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
36. ^ Rodriguez, Jason (January 18, 2008). "Nate Dogg paralyzed after stroke; manager slams coverage of 911 call". MTV. Archived from the original on January 20, 2008.
37. ^ Grossberg, Josh; Baker, Ken (September 18, 2008). "Cousin: Nate Dogg Was on Life Support". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on September 26, 2008.
38. ^ Burgess, Omar (November 29, 2010). "Warren G Talks Nate Dogg's Stroke Recovery". HipHopDX.
39. ^ "Nate Dogg in Therapy: 'He can lift his head'". Vibe. January 26, 2010.
40. ^ Matthew Perpetua, "Rapper and singer Nate Dogg dead at 41" and appended update, Rolling Stone website, Wenner Media LLC, March 16, 2011.
41. ^ "Naijiel Hale, St. John Bosco, Cornerback". 247Sports. Archived from the original on December 12, 2024. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
42. ^ "Nhale Proves He Is The Audio Sequel To Nate Dogg On "The Next Episode"". Rosecrans Ave. March 20, 2021. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
43. ^ ""This Is What This West Coast Shit Look Like:" An Interview with NHale". Passion of the Weiss. April 21, 2021. Archived from the original on March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2022.
44. ^ Kennedy, Gerrick (November 28, 2012). "Posthumous Nate Dogg album in the works". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2021.

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