NATE DOGG

 Born Nathaniel Dwayne Hale, 

Grew up in Los Angeles and was busy rapping by his teenage years. He and fellow LBC companions Snoop Dogg and Warren G formed a rap trio called Three The Hard Way, which eventually became 213, named after their Long Beach area code. The group practiced in the local V.I.P. store, and in 1992 Nate Dogg was featured (along with Snoop and G) on Dr. Dre's groundbreaking The Chronic album. He then made an appearance on Snoop's classic Doggystyle album, receiving mass praises for the tight verse he laid down on "Ain't No Fun."

1994 brought the smash single "Regulate," a duo with Warren G. The song reached #2 on the Billboard charts and launched Nate Dogg into the mainstream. He signed on with Death Row Records, and later contributed to several albums from Death Row artists, including 2Pac's All Eyez on Me and the soundtrack to Murder Was the Case. Nate Dogg released the single "Never Leave Me Alone," featuring Snoop, in 1996. The accompanying solo album came in 1997 via Interscope after Nate Dogg left Death Row. G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 was a classic hit and portrayed the G-Funk that he, Snoop, and G created to perfection. Nate Dogg's smooth voiced was paired with superb production, and most agreed that the long wait for the release of the album was worth it.

Nate Dogg's second album, G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1-2, dropped in 1998 under the Breakaway label. The album quickly garnered praise from fans and critics alike, with much attention being paid to Nate Dogg's silky vocals and streetwise attitude combined with cool production from the likes of Snoop Dogg, Daz Dillinger, Warren G, and Kurupt. Vocal contributions to the album were also made by Snoop, G, Daz, and Tupac.