R.I.P. Nate Dogg - His Five Best Features

Nate Dogg, one of the defining artists of the G-Funk era, passed away today at 41. As Warren G said in "Regulate," Nate brought melody to Hip-Hop, singing his verses instead of spitting them and providing his signature smooth style to several of the best West Coast (or otherwise) songs ever made.

5. "Deeez Nuuuts" - Dr. Dre

"Deeez Nuuts," off Dr. Dre's genre-defining The Chronic, marks the first appearance of Nate Dogg on record. Though Nate was famous for his hooks, he could sing an outro like nobody's business, and on "Deeez Nuuuts," Nate's smooth boasts place a perfect exclamation point for Dre and Snoop's braggadocio on the rest of the song.

Best Line: "Here we go, toe-for-toe, flow-for-flow, let me know if you think you can fade Death Row!"

See also: "The Next Episode" ("hey hey hey hey...smoke weed everyday")

4) "All About U" - 2Pac ft. Nate Dogg & Snoop Dogg

No one in the music business could sing the word "ho" quite like Nate Dogg. The word, though pejorative in nature, sounded warm and friendly when Nate Dogg crooned it. Nate Dogg was valuable to the early 90s hip-hop scene because rappers like 2Pac and Snoop Dogg could embrace poppier, more R&B-esque sounds without losing street cred. "All About U" is one of Nate's strongest hooks, his soulful baritone meshing perfectly with the Dre-influenced beat.

Best Line: Well, he only sings the hook on this one, so I guess the whole thing is his best line.

See Also: Ludacris - "Area Codes"; Eminem - "Bitch Please 2"

3) "Xxplosive" - Dr. Dre (ft. Hittman, Nate Dogg & Kurupt)

Nate's tuneful and hilarious verse on "Xxplosive" demonstrates his ability to find the melody of a Hip-Hop beat. On "Xxplosive,"Nate sounds like a gangsta Barry White, hilariously emphasizing phrases like "Real treeeeeeees, chronic leeeeeeaves, no seeeeeeeds." "Xxplosive" is one of Nate's funniest and most quotable verses and nicely contrasts with Kurupt and Hittman's more generic rhymes.

Best Line: "Now that I'm sober you ain't that hot."

See Also: "Nah Nah" - E-40 ft. Nate Dogg

2) "Regulate" - Nate Dogg & Warren G

"MOUNT UP!" "16 in the clip and one in the hole, Nate Dogg's about make some bodies turn cold," "Next stop is the EAAAAST SIIIIIIDE MOOOTEEEELLLL," "the rhythm is the bass and the bass is the treble." "Regulate" is one of the most quotable songs of the 90s. Each one of Nate's lines is as memorable as the last. The first half of the song, where Nate Dogg rescues Warren G from a mugging, is exciting, but when Nate switches his mind "back into freak mode," the song hits another level, climaxing with the classic final line.

Best line: "If you smoke like I smoke, you get high like everyday. And if yo ass is a busta 213 we'll regulate!"

See also: "Nobody Does it Better" - Nate Dogg & Warren G; "Never Leave Me Alone" - Nate Dogg ft. Snoop Dogg

1) "Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None)" - Snoop Dogg ft. Nate Dogg, Kurupt & Warren G

"When I met you last night, baby..." Nate contributes an awesome first verse and a chorus to this classic from Snoop's Doggystyle album. Nate recounts one of his many one-night stands with trademark soul. I can't get enough of the contrast between Nate's smooth delivery and his nasty, gangsta lyrics and "Ain't No Fun" is a prime example of his unique talent.

Best Line: "And you even licked my balls!"

R.I.P. Nate, I'm sure there will be plenty of hoes in lots of different area codes for you up in heaven.