Nate Dogg Dies at 41

Nate Dogg, the pioneering singer-rapper of the G-Funk hip-hop movement, died yesterday March 15, at age 41. He was best known for his 1994 hit single 'Regulate,' but first appeared on Dr. Dre's landmark 1992 album 'The Chronic' and also started his career in a trio called 213 alongside Warren G and Snoop Dogg.

Health problems had visited the soulful singer in recent years, with a pair of strokes in 2007 and 2008 placing his career in jeopardy. His death was first reported by his hometown newspaper, Long Beach Ca.'s Press-Telegram, stating that it's unknown what caused the untimely demise of Dogg (real name: Nathaniel Dwayne Hale) at this time.

'Regulate,' which featured Nate and his buddy Warren G's smooth vocals over a sample from an unlikely source, former Doobie Brother Michael McDonald's 'I Keep Forgetting,' was a huge smash upon release, eventually hitting No. 2 on the pop charts.  It helped Nate's 1994 album 'Regulate.. G Funk Era' reach Triple Platinum status. He went on to release five more studio albums and perform on tracks from artists such as Eminem, 2Pac and Ludacris.

His peers quickly took to twitter, with Snoop declaring, "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." Snoop later added, "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." Nate's frequent collaborator Daz Dillinger said: “R.I.P. TO MY HOMEBOY NATE DOGG DPGC DOGG POUND GANGSTA 4 LIFE.”

Watch the Warren G. 'Regulate' Video Feat. Nate Dogg