August 19, 1969 – March 15, 2011
A Hip Hop legend has gone. Nate Dogg had succumbed to complications stemming from multiple strokes that he suffered from in 2007 and 2008. His music will remain for long as his voice is synonymous with West Coast hip-hop. For long Nate was like a secret ingredient to an ever winning formula that took over the industry in the mid 90's. That's when Snoop Dogg teamed with Dr. Dre but not without bringing his Long Beach crew with who he introduced to the world what will be called the G- Funk (Gangsta Funk). And no one incarnated this melody driven hardcore lyrics new genre better than Nate Dogg. Dr Dre would produce high end productions sampling Soul music & P-Funk classics while franchise player Snoop Dogg would deliver his laid back genius flows and gangsta rhymes. On top of that Nate Dogg would bring the magic touch that would transform a good West Coast Gangsta rap record to a world appealing new genre defining gangsta funk record dropping smooth vocals, incredibly efficient melodies and OG charisma to the track.
This combination of gangsta rap and genius musicality simply got the world on lock for half a decade when all people wanted to hear was West Coast G-Funk: the Death Row era. "The Chronic" album, "Regulate", "Doggystyle" and "All Eyes on Me" are probably the most emblematic albums of that era that he took part in. That period in Hip Hop will remain for ever a golden age that has influenced the whole music world more than media have and probably will ever report. Death Row eventually fell off because of internal business disputes but the talents that made its name remain active and highly influential in the game. Nate Dogg was one of its brightest talent so much that lots of artists took advantage of him being more accessible after his label downfall to ask for collabos. Ludacris, Fabolous, Jadakiss, Rawkus are some of the artists or label who asked for his help to name a few. When Dr Dre came back on top through projects like Chronic 2001, Eminem's album and 50 Cent's debut; Nate dogg was instrumental in bridging the Death Row era to the Aftermath era laying classic choruses on tracks like Xxplosive, Till' I Collapse, Lay Low, Bitch Pease II and 21 Questions to name a few. Nate Dogg was humble and discret compared to his status and high influence but make no mistake none of this 90's gangsta rap & Aftermath hegemony would have been possible without his contribution. Artists know it and thats why they've been so many to pay him hommage on twitter. Along with Snoop there was no greater cosigner you could have than Nate Dogg if you were a new West Coast artist. This West Coast soulman created a lane of his own bringing something into Hip Hop that no one has brought back yet. He's also one of the clearest factor that made Gangsta Rap so popular worldwide. He made it possible for the such a hardcore genre to become mainstream without losing its gangsta appeal. His pairs also praised him for his work ethic saying when he was in the studio it was all about working and recording. That also surely explains the great legacy he leaves behind. Check for yourself with the following tribute mixes by Just Dizle, Primo & Skee.
He will be greatly missed. R.I.P
@justdizle aka Le Champion – Nate Dogg Tribute Mix [Rest In G-Funk]
DJ Skee’s Nate Dogg Skee Mix
DJ Premier’s Nate Dogg Tribute
