Nate Dogg dies at 41

Nathaniel D. Hale, otherwise known as Nate Dogg, died on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 after suffering two strokes in recent years.

Hale was born and raised in Long Beach, California and had a successful singing career in hip-hop. He was nominated for four Grammy Awards and was best known for popular collaborations with the likes of Warren G., Tupac, Ludacris, Dr. Dre, Eminem and Snoop Dogg (his cousin).

According to Wikipedia he began his singing as a child in the New Hope Baptist Church in Long Beach and the Life Line Baptist Church in Clarksdale, Mississippi. His father was the pastor of both churches.
Nate Dogg had recently started a gospel choir called Innate Praise.
Nate Dogg served three years in the United States Marine Corps.

His family announced on Tuesday evening that he had passed, but did not give further details.
Speculation is that a stroke in 2007 and a second in 2008 had left Hale in poor health. He died in his hometown of Long Beach at the age of 41, and his survived by his three children, sons Niajel and Nate Junior Hale and daughter Whitney Hale.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family, friends and fans of Nate Dogg.