With all due respect to Mary J. Blige, Nate Dogg was the greatest hook singer ever. Nathaniel Hale passed away yesterday after several years of health problems as the result of multiple strokes. Nate broke out with his childhood friends back in Long Beach Snoop Dogg and Warren G (who formed a group 213) who ushered in the G-Funk era in the early nineties under the tutelage of Dr. Dre. For a decade and a half, you were no one unless you could get Nate Dogg singing your hooks as he helped launch 50 Cent, Fabolous, and Ludacris, and jumped on tracks from legends like Eminem and 2Pac.
For those of us that cannot rap, Nate Dogg made the art form more accessible to join along with his Barry White delivery but smoothed out on a Gangsta tip. We may not be able to spit like the rappers he performed with, but it was much more fun to sing along with Nate, I still remember everyone around the dorms still constantly singing, Ayo, Ayo, Ayo, you don’t wanna step to me.” And “Regulators: mount up” was a rallying cry during intramural games. And I is still no fun if my homies can’t get none. Though never able to break out on his own, Nate Dogg left a big impression on my formative years. He was 41. Here are some of my favorite tracks that featured the singer.
The Next Episode - featuring Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, and Kurupt
Bitch Please - Snoop Dogg featuring Xzibit and Nate Dogg
Can't Deny It - Fabolous featuring Nate Dogg
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