Rapobit: Nate Dogg

Nate Dogg, former Death Row artist, has died.

Dogg has been plagued by ill-health for much of his life; he had massive strokes in 2007 and 2008.

Born Nathaniel D. Hale in Long Beach, Dogg was introduced to performing by his pastor father, singing regularly in church. After a spell in the marines, Dogg formed 213 with Warren G and Snoop Dogg. Dr Dre heard the group's demo, leading to a 1993 deal with Death Row. Although working in his own right, much of his greatest success came when he was riding shotgun with Tupac and Warren G - in all, he would chart in the US 40 times in various partnerships. He should have thought about adopting Featuring as his first name.

Nate had legal run-ins - guns and drugs and community service - but had been returning to the church; towards the end of the last decade he formed a gospel choir, Innate Praise.

Nate Dogg was 41; he died on Tuesday 15th March.