Within hours following the announcement of the sudden passing of the legendary Nathaniel ‘Nate Dogg’ Hale, a dark cloud arose over the Hip-Hop nation.  Artists across the industry began mourning the loss of a talented singer, an artist, a true friend. The impact that Nate Dogg had over the industry is undeniable, between his humble attitude and his love for music, his smooth soulful vocals provided a certain flare to each individual song he was featured on from the West Coast all the way across to the East Coast.

Nate Dogg offered his vocal talents to a collective array of songs throughout the span of his career. No matter if you were fan or not, his voice was recognizable on any track. He refined the art of G-Funk with his style and pizzazz, his unique vocal skills added that finishing touch to any track that he would grace. Until this day, his vocals on the tracks of Warren G’s ‘Regulate,’ Dr Dre’s ‘The Next Episode,’ and Ludacris’ ‘Area Codes’ are, without any doubt, memorable classics that will never be forgotten. Dogg collaborated with everyone, no matter if the artists were rookies in the game or heavyweights amongst the industry, he amended those finishing touches. In the span of 10 years starting in 1998, Nate Dogg released three solo studio albums: ‘G-Funk Classics Vol. 1& 2,’ ‘Music and Me,’ and his final self-titled LP, which he recorded over a span of 4 years, in 2008.

It is evident that everyone is experiencing the hardship of the sudden loss of a legend and a friend. Most artists knew him as they collaborated with him, while the entire West Coast music industry knew him as a great friend. All across the nation, artists sought to their twitters posting comments and reflections while others sent official statements to media outlets expressing their feelings on their dearly departed friend.
 
These are comments posted by artists on their official twitter account:

Snoop Dogg

“We lost a true legend n Hip-Hop n R&B. One of my best friends n a brother to me since 1986 when I was a sophomore at poly high where we met. I love u buddy luv. U will always b wit me 4ever n a day u put the g n g funk u put the 1 n 213 n u put yo stamp on evrybdy u ever didit wit. I miss u cuzz I am so sad but so happy I got to grow up wit u and I will c u again n heaven cuz u know d slogan. All doggs go to heaven yo homie n baby brotha bigg snoopdogg!!”

Daz Dillinger

“R.I.P. TO MY HOMEBOY NATE DOGG DPGC DOGG POUND GANGSTA 4 LIFE.”

Xzibit

“We lost a [soldier], a father, a legend, a homie. My condolences go out to Ms. Ruth and the entire family. Celebrate #NateDogg #FOREVER.”

E-40

“R.I.P. TO MY HOMIE NATE DOGG!”

Rass Kass

“RIP my brother Nate Dogg”

Diddy

“RIP to a real cool brother my man nate Dogg ! You will be missed.”

Ludacris

“There is a certain void in Hip-Hop’s heart that can never be filled, glad we got to make history together. RT @SnoopDogg: RIP NATE DOGG.”

50 Cent

“I just landed Nate Dogg is dead damn. GOD BLESS HIM R.I.P he meant a lot to west coast Hip-Hop. I’ve always been a fan of it. I wrote the chorus to 21 questions I needed Nate to sing it for me. He had a way of making everything feel hard.”

Lloyd Banks

“R.I.P to the homie Nate Dogg, my condolences to his family.”

Obie Trice

“Dam RIP Big Homie Nate Dogg sleep well gangsta!!”

Billy Blue

“Honestly that was 1 of my wishes 2 do a song with NateDogg I might not see heaven but if I do we gone get It in RIP Nate Dogg @DazDillinger. March 16th is officially Nate Dogg day….we will celebrate your legacy —->OG style”

Mariah Carey

“#RipNateDogg Thank u for lending ur voice to the S/T of my life & inspiring so many including myself & working w/me on 1 of my fav collabos.”

Other Artists who didn’t chime in on their twitter, left statements to different media outlets including E! Online.

Eminem left this statement for E! Online about the loss of one of his great collaborator Nate Dogg:

“Nate’s voice in music will never be replaced. He helped create the blueprint for West Coast Hip-Hop, and I was one of the lucky people who had the privilege to work with him and the honor to have him as a friend. Nate will be sorely missed. My condolences and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.”

Warren G was one of Nate Dogg’s longtime friends with Snoop Dogg and Daz Dillinger; he alongside them felt the most pain and loss:

“Nate’s passing is a terrible loss to all of those who loved him or had the opportunity to work with him. He will be greatly missed, but he would want us to celebrate his life and the music he made.You are free now my brother, I will see you again one day”

The Game was also shaken up by the sudden loss as he left his own eulogizing statement to E! Online:

“We lost a great peer in the business. I will always remember the time I spent in the studio with him. He was very encouraging and professional. I will miss his voice, presence and advice. He’s a part of hip-hop’s rich history. My heart and condolences goes out to his family.”

Most of these artists were fortunate and, I’m quite sure, honored to have worked with the legendary Nate Dogg. As Big Snoop Dogg said, ‘All Doggs go to Heaven.’ See you when I get there……


Rest in Peace
Nathaniel ‘Nate Dogg’ Hale
August 19, 1969 – March 15, 2011

24hourhiphop.com expresses our deepest condolences to Nate Dogg’s family and the entire West Coast.

Here the Videos to Warren G’s ‘Regulate,’ ‘Dr. Dre’s ‘The Next Episode,’ and Ludacris’ ‘Area Codes all featuring Nate Dogg in that order: