There was a time in Hip Hop when you got Nate Dogg on a hook, it was a guaranteed smash. Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, and 50 Cent, among others, were some of the artists that benefited from Nate’s vocals. And let’s be real: you guys probably remember Nate’s part more than the rapper’s.
And by no means that is a slight towards the rappers, it’s just to point out how impactful Nate Dogg’s vocals were. Unfortunately, we lost the West Coast legend back in March of 2011. nevertheless, his music lives on. I hand picked eleven of my favorite Nate Dogg features. Out of the eleven, you guys tell me which was the better.
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Q’s Top Nate Dogg Featured Songs:
Ludacris – “Area Codes”
I thought Ludacris was just yelling out numbers until he mentioned one of my state area codes (205 & 334). Initially, I didn’t like this song but it eventually grew on me and Nate Dogg vocals would be the reason, real talk.
Fabolous – “Can’t Deny It”
It may have been some East Coast/West Coast beef going on in the 90s, but all of that had dwindled by the time Fabolous and Nate linked up for this banger.
Snoop Dogg – “Lay Low”
This was a single from Tha Last Meal, Snoop Dogg’s last album under Master P’s No Limit records. I remember hearing Snoop say he wanted to leave P with a classic. “Lay Low” definitely played it’s part.
50 Cent – “21 questions”
I didn’t know what 50 Cents considered a passing grade in 21 questions but with Nate Dogg on the hook I gave it an A+.
Dr. Dre – “Xplosive”
Before we admired Erykah Badu advising ladies not to carry baggage, we admired Dr. Dre — a song that didn’t even feature Dre’s vocals — reminding us that they still had no love for females that gave it up too easily.
Tha Dogg Pound – “Big PImpin'”
I immediately fell love with this song while watching Above The Rim.
Thug Life – “How Long Will They Mourn Me”
Whomever lost a homeboy or close relative has said “I wish it woulda been another,” but not like Nate Dogg.
Tha Dogg Pound – “Lets Play House”
With Nate on the vocals, this song had your grown azz wanting to play house. By the way, this song is from Tha Dogg Pound’s Dog Food, a very underrated album.
Snoop Dogg – “Ain’t No Fun”
Yeah they were talking about 4 guys running through 1 chick like Dalvin Cook off the left tackle but that boy was blowing as usual. In fact, this was the first song I ever heard Nate Dogg sing on.
Warren G – “Regulate”
I bet you thought it was going to be some of that MTV most requested video countdown ish with everybody knowing Michael Jackson’s Thriller was going to be number 1. Now, “Regulate” was my ish. The storytelling was top tier.
Nate runs across some fine chicks, but Warren G gets in a jam. So he goes see about his homie; handle those fools that was set-tripping; and hook back up the babes. Even Ice Cube would call that a good day.
2Pac – “Skandalouz”
This is from 2pac’s classic All Eyez On Me, this song didn’t get as much attention as “Thug Passion” or “America’s Most Wanted” but it was just as dope. In fact, I just mentioned this is one of my favorite songs from the album HipHop-Album-Debate, “The Podcast” Episode 10. I really love listening to Pac tell a story — over this funky beat — about a chick scheming to get his riches but instead he hit her up first. Then Nate vocals put the cherry on top!
If it weren’t for Nate Dogg, it probably wouldn’t have been any singers in Hip Hop. It created a lane for artists such as Mo B. Dick from No Limit, T-Pain, and Drake, among others. The aforementioned did their thing, but still to this day — as in Nate’s own words: “nobody does it better.”
RIP Nate Dogg
Which was the better Nate Dogg feature?
Polls Are Closed!!
Warren G – “Regulate” – 38%
2Pac – “Skandalouz” – 25%
Snoop Dogg – “Ain’t No Fun” – 25%
Ludacris – “Area Codes” – 13%
Tha Dogg Pound – “Lets Play House” – 0%
Thug Life – “How Long Will They Mourn Me” – 0%
Tha Dogg Pound – “Big Pimpin'” – 0%
Dr. Dre – “Xplosive” – 0%
50 Cent – “21 Questions” – 0%
Snoop Dogg – “Lay Low” – 0%
Fabolous – “Can’t Deny It” – 0%