In Memoriam
Nate Dogg
August 19, 1969 – March 15, 2011 · aged 41
Hip-Hop · G-Funk · R&B
Nathaniel Dwayne Hale, universally known as Nate Dogg, was the undisputed 'King of Hooks' and the soulful anchor of West Coast G-Funk. Born in Mississippi and raised in Long Beach, California, he formed the group 213 alongside his cousin Snoop Dogg and friend Warren G. Whenever a 1990s hip-hop track needed a smooth, melodic, yet profoundly street-authentic chorus, Nate Dogg was the ultimate weapon. His deep, resonant baritone turned Warren G's 'Regulate' and Dr. Dre's 'The Next Episode' into timeless, global anthems. He possessed the unique ability to sing about the harsh realities of gang life with a gospel-like smoothness, bridging the gap between hardcore rap and R&B in a way no one else could. After suffering multiple strokes in his later years, Nate Dogg passed away on March 15, 2011, at the age of 41. Hip-hop lost its most iconic, indispensable voice.
Milestones
Regulate, The Next Episode, Area Codes
Chart legacy
Also remembered in 2011
- Amy Winehouse (1983–2011)
- Clarence Clemons (1942–2011)
- Gary Moore (1952–2011)
- Gil Scott-Heron (1949–2011)