Tributes to the father of the early 90s G~Funk movement Nate Dogg continue as the Hip Hop world expresses the profound sadness of losing the legendary voice behind so many unforgettable hooks.
The crooner boasted a soulful sound like a star from an earlier era, but could match the gritty raps of Snoop Dogg, Dr Dre, Warren G and the Dogg Pound Gangsters. He will be remembered for his anthems Regulate, Aint No Fun and Lets Play House.
As Westside Connection rapped on their tune Gangsta Nation – “It ain’t a hit ‘til Nate Dogg spit.”
After the huge hit Area Codes with Ludacris, Nate continued to diversify his singing portfolio to work with the likes of Mark Ronson and Ghostface Killer on Ooh Wee.
Nate died on Tuesday at a Laguna Niguel care facility of complications from multiple strokes, suffered in 2007 and 2008.
Nate’s close friends and chief collaborators Snoop and Eminem have led the tributes to the G~Funk legend with the Detroit star stating that the singer had helped shape the distinctive West Coast Hip Hop sound.
The Shake That rapper said: “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 honour to have him as a friend.”
Em added: “Nate will be sorely missed. My condolences and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.”
Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent have also paid homage to the soulful singer, real name Nathaniel Dwayne Hale, with Snoop tweeting: “We lost a true legend n hip hop n rnb. One of my best friends n a brother to me since 1986 when I was a sophomore at poly high, where we met.”
Rapper Xzibit claimed: “We lost a [soldier], a father, a legend, a homie. My condolences go out to Ms. Ruth and the entire family. Celebrate #NateDogg #FOREVER.”
Ludacris, who worked with Hale on the massive club hit Area Codes, also joined the Twitter tributes: “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.”
Obie Trice also took to Twitter to express his thoughts about Nate’s death, posting on his page: “Dam RIP Big Homie nate dogg sleep well gangsta!!”
Uk Rap and soul star Plan B has also told how the singer/rapper’s how Nate Dogg’s 1994 song Regulate got him in to hip hop.
“The song ‘Regulate’ with Warren G got me into hip hop, more so because of his singing than the rap,” he said.
He added that Nate Dogg had ‘a unique voice and was the only male singer that could hold his own amongst all those gangster rappers. What other singer could do that? What other singer was more present? He put the funk into G Funk.’