Lil ½ Dead is a hip hop music artist (born Donald Smith in September 13, 1974) in Long Beach, California. His performing name is based on the character Half Dead in the film Penitentiary (1979). He is Nate Dogg's and Snoop Dogg's cousin and in his early stages he was also part of the group 213. He toured America on Dr. Dre's 1993 Chronic tour. His debut solo album, The Dead Has Arisen, has a similar sound to Dre's and Snoop's G-funk. His second album, Steel On A Mission, is considered a classic example of g-funk sound.