Nathaniel Hale was born in Long Beach, CA. This son of a preacher man was raised on the floodplains of Clarksdale, Mississippi. His family would return to the warmer west coast while Nate was a teenager. It would be in Long Beach where Nate would become good friends with Calvin Broadus, who would go on to fame as Snoop Doggy Dogg. The pair would hook up with a third man, Warren Griffin, and start their own foray into hiphop called simply, 213, the area code where they lived. 213 would see small scale success as the trio would rock house parties and other small events. Warren's half-brother, producer Dr. Dre, and his label, Death Row Records, would keep their eyes on this young group of kids, but they never received an offer to sign. None of them would be known nationally until Dre went on his own and left rap supergroup NWA behind him and made The Chronic album. This album featured Snoop's rhymes on it's first single, and Nate's crooning voice on various songs throughout the album.
By the release of the Chronic, everyone was wondering who is this smooth voice singing, actually singing, on this rap album? They'd soon be able to see who, as the remaining member of 213, Warren G, and Nate collaborated on the first single from Warren's G Funk Era album entitled Regulate. This duet did what bands like Black Sabbath and Metallica have done for years, blended the dark, which in this case was the raps of Warren G, against the light, the soft smooth voice of Nate Dogg.
Unfortunately, Death Row would not be able to do anything for Nate's solo career, even though he had appeared on a number of hot albums and hot singles, including as a member of Tha Dogg Pound on Snoop's debut album Doggystyle. Nate decided to break off from the infamous label and signed with Breakaway Records, where he released G-Funk Classics Vol. 1 & 2. Although the albums never broke into the mainstream, they would rule the underground. Nate would not get downtrodden and would keep appearing alongside big stars as the singing voice in the background, appearing on hooks, and throughout vaious hip hop singles. He worked with his old running mates, Snoop and Dre on Snoop's Lay Low and on Dre's The Chronic: 2001, but is most well known for his pro-pot anti-ugly ho sentiments on "The Next Episode".
Known for his distinct singing style, Nate Dogg's voice is a diamond in the rough. He brings a different dimension to the Hip Hop scene. Nate can usually be scene with a top hat or just plain ole pimped out and bling blingin. It would be a safe bet to expect to hear Nate on the next Dr. Dre release, and and several others of those who bring the G-Funk.
Lyrics:
While Nate Dogg is not as Butterfinger mouthed as, say, Cash Money or the ODB, his lyrics do oft delve in the bragging and threatening side of rap music.
For the nigga who be talkin loud and holdin his dick
Talkin shit, he better LAY LOW
For the bitch that said I shot some shit up out of my dick
Now she sick, she better LAY LOW
For the niggaz who be claimin my hood
and really ain't from my gang, better LAY LOW
I hope he don't be thinkin I'm just talkin
and I won't do a thing, really HOPE SO!
Snoop Dogg, Master P, Nate Dogg - Lay Low
However, what Nate said was not what truly mattered. He could have just hummed a melody for his voice would add another layer of depth that always stood out over the beats he sand upon. He was a defining factor in the G-Funk sound. He will always be known for his work on several Rap Duets. On Regulate, which appeared on Warren G's G Funk Era album, Nate shows us why he's worth listening to.
If you know like I know
you don't wanna step to this
It's the G-Funk era
funked out with a gangsta twist
if you smoke like I smoke
then you high like everyday
and if your ass is a buster
213 will regulate
Warren G, Nate Dogg - Regulate
Discography:
G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1&2
Music & Me
singleography:
1. Deeez Nuuuts - Dr. Dre, The Chronic, 1992
2. Ain't No Fun - Snoop Dogg - Doggystyle, 1993
3. Indo Smoke - Mista Grimm, Poetic Justice Sdtk., 1993
4. Regulate - Warren G, Regulate_G-Funk Era, 1994
5. Big Pimpin' - Above the Rim Sdtk., 1994
6. It's All About You - 2Pac, All Eyez on Me, 1995
7. Skandalouz - 2Pac, All Eyez on Me, 1995
8. One More Day - Murder Was the Case Sdtk., 1994
9. I Don't Like to Dream About Gettin Paid -DoggPound, DoggFood, 1995
10. Let's Play House - DoggPound, DoggFood, 1995
11. A Doggz Day Afternoon - DoggPound, DoggFood, 1995
12. Groupie - Snoop Dogg, The Dogg Father, 1996
13. These Days - Gang Related Sdtk., 1997
14. Why - Gridlock'd Sdtk., 1997
15. Annie Mae - Warren G, Take a Look Over Your Shoulder, 1997
16. Nobody Does It Better - Woo Soundtrack, 1998
17. Medley for a "V" - DJ Quik, Rhythm-Al-Ism, 1998
18. Game Don't Wait - Warren G, I Want It All, 1999
19. Girls All Pause - Kurupt, The Streets Iz a Mutha, 1999
20. Neva Gonna Give It Up - Kurupt, Tha Streetz Iz a Mutha,1999
21. Bitch Please - Snoop Dog, Top Dogg, 1999
22. Don't Tell- Snoop Dogg, Top Dogg, 1999
23. Ghetto Millionaire - C-Murder, Bossalinie, 1999
24. Xxplosive - Dr. Dre, Dr. Dre 2001 (1999)
25. The Next Episode - Dr. Dre, Dr. Dre 2001 (1999)
26. Teardrops and Closed Caskets - 2Pac, Still I Rise , 1999
27. Bitch Please II - Eminem, Marshall Mathers LP, 2000
28. Where I Wanna Be - Shade Sheist, Damizza Presents, 2000
29. Nah, Nah_ - E-40, Loyalty & Betrayal, 2000
30. Oh No - Pharoahe Monch and Mos Def - The Lyricist Lounge Vol.1, 2000
31. Set It Off - Snoop Dogg, Tha Last Meal, 2000
32. Lay Low - Snoop Dogg, Tha Last Meal, 2000
33. Been a Long Time - Xzibit, Restless, 2000
34. Big Pimpin'- Charlie Wilson, Bridging the Gap, 2000
35. Behind the Walls - Kurupt & Nate Dogg, Oz: The Soundtrack, 2001
36. High Come Down - Chico & Coolwadda, Wild 'N Tha West, 2001
37. Yesterday - Roscoe and Nate Dogg, Pootie Tang Soundtrack, 2001
38. Can't Deny It - Fabolous, Ghetto Fabolous, 2001
39. Area Codes - Ludacris, Rush Hour 2 Sdtk., 2001
40. Connected - Shaquille O'Neal Presents His Superfriends, Vol. 1 2001
41. Good Life - Nate Dogg, Kurupt, Nas, FUBU Sdtk., 2001
42. Don't Know Where to Start - Brian McKnight, Superhero, 2001
43. If We - Mariah Carey, Glitter, 2001
44. Ballin' Out of Control - Jermaine Dupri, Instructions, 2001
45. Kiss is Spittin' - Jadakiss, Kiss tha Game Goodbye, 2001
46. Just Doggin' - Tha Dogg Pound: :2002 (2001)
47. Eastside Ridaz - Snoop Dogg/Eastsidaz, Duces 'N Trayz: The Old Fashioned Way, 2001
48. Welcome 2 Tha House - Snoop Dogg/Eastsidaz, Duces 'N Trayz: The Old Fashioned Way, 2001
49. Cool - Snoop Dogg/Eastsidaz, Duces 'N Trayz: The Old Fashioned Way, 2001
50. I Like it Like That - Society X(Omar Epps), scheduled for 2002
51. The Game -Black Rob/ Ghetto Pros, scheduled for 2002
52. Until I Collapse - Eminem, The Eminem Show (2002)
53. 21 Questions - 50 Cent, Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2002)
54. The Set Up - Obie Trice, Cheers (2003)
55. Bad Bitch - Obie Trice, Cheers (2003)
56. Warriors pt. 2 - Lloyd Banks, The Hunger For More (2004)
sources:
www.natedoggmusic.com
www.elektra.com/elektra/natedogg/artistbio.jhtml
www.ohhla.com
thugradio.net/dpg-main.html
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