Nate Dogg was the stage name of Nathaniel Dwayne Hale (August 19, 1969 - March 15, 2011), an American singer, rapper, and songwriter from Long Beach, California. With a deep, soulful voice and an instinct for memorable choruses, he became one of the defining vocalists of West Coast hip hop and a central figure in the development of G-funk.
Hale grew up in Long Beach and sang in a church gospel choir before turning toward rap. At Long Beach Polytechnic High School, he met Calvin Broadus, later known as Snoop Dogg. Alongside Warren G, the two formed the trio 213, named after the telephone area code that then covered much of the Los Angeles area. The group recorded early material in Long Beach, building local attention before its members began pursuing separate careers.
Nate Dogg first gained broad recognition through his appearances on Dr. Dre's 1992 album *The Chronic*. His melodic vocals provided a soulful counterpoint to the record's hard-edged production and helped establish the vocal approach that would become a key feature of G-funk. He also appeared on Snoop Dogg's *Doggystyle* (1993), most notably on "Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None)," further connecting him with the emerging Death Row Records sound.
His most important early success came through his partnership with Warren G on "Regulate." Released in 1994 in connection with the soundtrack to *Above the Rim*, the single reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the era's signature West Coast rap records. Nate Dogg's sung passages supplied the track with its dramatic, instantly recognizable refrain, while his relaxed delivery helped bridge gangsta rap, R&B, and mainstream pop. The song also earned the pair a Grammy nomination.
Nate Dogg signed with Death Row Records and contributed to numerous projects associated with the label and its artists, including recordings with Tupac Shakur and the Dogg Pound. His debut album, *G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 & 2*, was delayed by label turmoil and legal problems before being released in 1998. Although it arrived after the commercial peak of the original G-funk movement, the double album presented Nate as more than a featured vocalist, combining street-oriented rap, slow R&B, and reflective material.
After leaving Death Row, he signed with Elektra Records and released *Music & Me* in 2001. The album included "I Got Love" and featured appearances from artists such as Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Ludacris. Nate continued to work extensively as a guest artist, appearing on recordings by Eminem, 50 Cent, Fabolous, Mos Def, Ludacris, and others. His voice became a reliable presence on rap singles, often giving songs their most accessible melodic element.
In 2004, Nate Dogg reunited with Snoop Dogg and Warren G for 213's only studio album, *The Hard Way*. The project returned to the trio's Long Beach roots and reached the top five of the Billboard 200. Nate's later solo work included a self-titled project, while his health increasingly limited his activity. He suffered strokes in 2007 and 2008 and died in 2011 at age 41 from complications related to them.
Nate Dogg's influence rests less on a large solo catalog than on the lasting impact of his collaborations. His baritone and melodic phrasing established the modern rap hook as a major artistic role, making him one of hip hop's most influential and recognizable supporting vocalists.