Nathaniel Dwayne Hale (born August 19, 1969 in Long Beach, California; died March 15, 2011 in Long Beach, California), better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was a Grammy-nominated American singer and occasional rapper. He was known especially for his one of a kind hooks and vocals, and like they say: "it ain't a hit until Nate Dogg spit". After serving in the US Marine Corps for three years he returned to California and formed the rap group 213 with his cousin Snoop Dogg and friend Warren G.