R.I.P. NATE DOGG The "Hook King" Will be Missed

News is still developing but tweets from Snoop Dogg and Warren G are confirming that Long Beach, CA rapper, Nate Dogg, has passed away. Nate Dogg (Nathaniel D. Hale) was one of the most original voices to rise from the West Coast hip hop scene. Nate, along with Warren G and Snoop Dogg, formed the hip hop crew 213 while they were in high school. He would go on to become one of the most visible and supporting artists on the roster of the infamous Death Row Records. Nate was nominated for four Grammy awards for collaborations with artists Eminem, Ludacris, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg and Warren G.

The Guardian reports: "[Nate Dogg] began singing as a child in baptist churches under the care of his father, who was a pastor. At the age of 16 he dropped out of high school in Long Beach, California, and joined the US marine corps, where he served for three years." Nate's journey led to a career that produced over 40 charted singles as a collaborator. The last few years of his life were stricken with health issues. Nate Dogg was left paralyzed on one side of his body following a massive stroke in December 2007 and was struck by a second stroke in September 2008.

EDIT: Thanks to DUBCNN for great repost- DJ Steve1der & Dubcnn Presents: "The Best Of Nate Dogg" (70min Mix)

VIDEO: SERIUS JONES feat. Nate Dogg- "Smoke"

Nate Dogg Suffers Second Stroke In Less Than A Year

This in from Yahoo! news:

West Coast rapper Nate Dogg was hospitalized nearly two weeks ago after suffering a stroke, his second in less than a year.

But contrary to Internet news stories that offered an upbeat prognosis, a family member tells E! News that as of Wednesday the 39-year-old hip-hopster was on life support in a Los Angeles-area hospital with a feeding tube in his mouth.

"He has suffered another stroke from his bad eating habits and unhealthy lifestyle," says Donald Smith, Dogg's cousin and a fellow emcee who goes by the moniker Lil' Half Dead. "All we can do now is pray for him."

Dogg has since been taken off life support but as of today still requires a feeding tube, according to Smith. The rapper, whose real name is Nathaniel Hale, was stricken on Sept. 5. Earlier this week, manager Rod McGrew told the hip-hop news site SOHH "the prognosis at this time is favorable. We're positive, prayerful, hopeful and patient." Citing unnamed sources, TMZ offered a starker assessment, saying that while Dogg did not suffer any brain damage, he has exhibited little movement below the neck.

The MC, a cousin of Snoop Dogg who made his debut on Dr. Dre's 1992 album The Chronic before signing with Death Row Records, was first felled by a stroke on Dec. 19, leaving him partially paralyzed.

Dogg had continued his recovery in physical therapy, but still relied on the use of a wheelchair.

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