Nate Dogg Dies—Today in Hip-Hop

On this day, March 15, in hip-hop history...

2011: Legendary G-funk singer Nate Dogg passed away at the age of 41 from complications due to suffering multiple strokes on March 15, 2011. Though he was born in Mississippi, Nate Dogg was a West Coast G through and through and a distinct voice in its rise during the 1990s. After making his debut in 1992 on the song "Lil' Ghetto Boy" off Dr. Dre's The Chronic, Nate enjoyed a long career as a go-to singer for some of hip-hop's biggest acts, including Eminem, 2Pac, Pharoahe Monch, Snoop Dogg and countless others. Nate was a member of 213, the group with fellow LBC natives and frequent collaborators Snoop Dogg and Warren G. He also released three solo albums during his lifetime, G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1 & 2 (1998), Music & Me (2001), and Nate Dogg (2003) with a fourth posthumous release currently in the works.

The West Coast icon suffered a series of three strokes between December 2007 and September 2008, ultimately rendering the left side of his body paralyzed. Last year, TV One's Unsung aired a special episode to pay homage to the baritoned hook king, a defining voice in the g-funk era. Even in today's current rap game, MCs like Jeezy and The Game shout out the crooner, proving he's gone but not forgotten.

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