Rap music lost one of its most recognizable voices last night, when Long Beach, California singer Nathaniel “Nate Dogg” Hale died after suffering two strokes in recent years. A childhood friend of Snoop Dogg, who first appeared on Dr. Dre’s landmark 1992 album, The Chronic, Nate Dogg rose to his own fame alongside Dre’s half-brother Warren G with the era-defining 1994 classic “Regulate.” Nate’s deep, mellifluous voice came to epitomize California gangsta rap’s central victory: making tough, menacing, street music sound sweet and soothing to the ear. He was 41. Here are some of his greatest hits.
Writer for
I grew up in New Jersey. I live in New York. I write for the Awl, and also a book called Public Apology, for Grand Central Publishing.