Nathaniel Dwayne Hale (August 19, 1969 -- March 15, 2011) AKA Nate Dogg was born in Long Beach, California. He was the friend and partner in the rap game with rappers Snoop Dogg, Warren G, RBX, Daz Dillinger and was the cousin of Butch Cassidy and Lil' ½ Dead. He began singing as a child in the New Hope Baptist Church in Long Beach, and at Life Line Baptist Church in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where his father (Daniel Lee Hale) was a pastor. At the age of 16 he dropped out of high school in Long Beach, California and left home to join the United States Marine Corps, serving for three years.
Nate, Snoop Dogg and Warren G, who all belonged to the Rollin 20 Crips gang formed a rap trio called 213, which recorded its first demo in the back of the famed V.I.P record store in Long Beach. The demo was later heard by Dr. Dre at a house party, who was impressed with Nate's soulful voice.
Nate Dogg made his debut on The Chronic. Singing in what later become his trademark style, he was well-received by fans and critics alike, and would go on to sign with Death Row Records in 1993. Nate Dogg was also featured on Mista Grimm's "Indosmoke" with Warren G. Then in 1994 he produced his first hit single "Regulate" with Warren G. Nate Dogg was also featured in many Tupac releases, including his collaboration record Thug Life: Volume I. In 1998, after a tumultuous time at Death Row Records, he released another album. The double album was titled G-Funk Classics Vol. 1 & 2 and was followed up in late 2001 with Music & Me on Elektra Records. Music & Me peaked at number three on the Billboard hip-hop charts in 2001.
In 2002, Nate Dogg appeared on a celebrity episode of the Weakest Link, making it to the last three players before being eliminated by Xzibit and Young MC.
Nate Dogg was arrested in Arizona in April 2002 and was charged with firearms and drug offenses. He pleaded guilty in May 2002 and was subsequently sentenced to probation and community service. He was also ordered to attend drug counseling sessions.
Nate was generally more successful in collaborations with other hip-hop artists. As of 2004, Nate Dogg has featured in and contributed to over 40 chart singles.
After a number of delays and an original release date of April 2004, his self-titled album Nate Dogg was released on Affiliated Entertainment Group on June 3, 2008.
Nate Dogg died of congestive heart failure on March 15, 2011 in Long Beach, California. Tributes poured in from collaborators such as Ludacris, The Game, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Dat Nigga Daz, Xzibit, Erykah Badu, Murs, Big Pooh, Big Skye, Fabolous, Sheist, Knoc-Turn'al, Ice-T, Warren G and Eminem.
Fu-Schnickens - Breakdown
From 1994 Album: "Nervous Breakdown"...[Artist info below]
The Fu-Schnickens comprised Chip Fu (Roderick Roachford), Moc Fu (Joe Jones), and Poc Fu (Lennox Maturine). "Fu" stood for "For Unity" and "Schnicken" was a made-up word which meant "coalition". The three friends from East Flatbush, Brooklyn first gained attention after performing at a rap event at Howard University, after which they were signed by Jive Records. The group's debut single, "Ring the Alarm," hit the top ten on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks chart in 1992, sparking anticipation for the group's debut album F.U. Don't Take It Personal. With the hit singles, "La Schmoove" (featuring Phife Dawg of A Tribe Called Quest) and "True Fu-Schnick", the album reached the Top 20 in the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and was certified gold by the RIAA.
In 1993, the Fu-Schnickens began work on their second album. They recorded a fast-paced song called "What's Up Doc?" which featured a sample of Bugs Bunny saying his famous catchphrase. But they could not get sample clearance from Warner Bros so they shelved the song. Meanwhile, the then-rookie NBA star Shaquille O'Neal was a media sensation. In many interviews, he talked about his love of hip-hop music and stated that the Fu-Schnickens were his favorite rap group. This prompted the group to contact O'Neal for a collaboration. O'Neal recorded a verse that was added on to the already-recorded "What's Up Doc?" with the group and O'Neal saying "What's up, doc?" to replace the Bugs Bunny sample. Although, the group had not yet completed work on their album, the song was quickly released as a single to capitalize on O'Neal's popularity. The single was a Top 40 hit in the summer of 1993,[2] briefly propelling the group into the mainstream. The group's second album, Nervous Breakdown, did not arrive until 1994, by which time the rap landscape had dramatically changed, and there was no longer an audience for their unique style.
The Fu took part in a huge performance on the finale of The Arsenio Hall Show, alongside the likes of KRS-One, the Wu-Tang Clan, Naughty By Nature, MC Lyte, Guru, Mad Lion, Yo-Yo, Das EFX, CL Smooth & A Tribe Called Quest.
The Fu-Schnickens are also notable for their many references to martial arts films and Asian culture before the Wu-Tang Clan, who eventually helped make such references popular in hip-hop music
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