DAR Hip Hop: 7 Classic Singles Featuring Nate Dogg

By @TrueGodImmortal

Nate Dogg is one of the greatest hook singers of all time and his legacy is solidified to many as the GOAT in that department. For me, I was always a fan of Nate and his features were top notch for the most part. He never disappointed on an album or a single, and today, that's what I'm here to discuss. Nate made a living off guest appearances and he would make every single he appeared on sound great. Let's take a look at 7 classics that feature Nate Dogg.

*Warren G featuring Nate Dogg- Regulate (1994)

-As the G-Funk era was well underway, Warren G would release this self produced gem with Nate Dogg stealing the show. Released for the Above The Rim soundtrack and eventually on Warren's album, this track samples Michael McDonald, and tells a story of things going wrong for both Warren and Nate. Nate is the show stealer as I mentioned, mostly due to how smooth his lyrics were delivered and of course, no one can deny the line "Nate Dogg and Warren G had to regulate". The song would reach no. 2 on the Billboard chart, becoming the biggest hit of Warren's career. He has Nate to thank for that.

*Fabolous featuring Nate Dogg- Can't Deny It (2001)

-When Fab debuted, he was the next spitter from Brooklyn, so it was a shock to hear Nate on a West Coast inspired track for his first single. With the Rick Rock bouncy production leading the way, along with Fab spitting his usual punchlines, the song feels pretty regular, but it is the Nate hook which takes it over the top and makes it worthwhile. Nate owns the song and the hook, and gives Fab a solid introduction to the mainstream.

*Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, and Nate Dogg- The Next Episode (1999)

-Every single I selected for this list showcases Nate at his absolute best. The song is mostly Snoop and Dre with Kurupt adding vocals and adlibs, but it would be the memorable and iconic ending bridge by Nate that made this song such a hit. After the verses from Dre and Snoop are complete, there is a short breakdown and then we hear "hold up... wait" and Nate delivers one of his most infectious bridges ever and ends it off with yet another iconic line in "smoke weed every day". This is quite possibly the most catchy single that Nate has been a part of. The single would reach the top 10 of the Rap charts, making it successful, just not as successful as some of the others on the list chart wise, but it is the most memorable. 

*50 Cent featuring Nate Dogg- 21 Questions (2003)

-Of course. This was bound to be mentioned. It isn't my favorite honestly, but I did enjoy the hook from Nate. With a syrupy smooth production from MIDI Mafia, 50 asks 21 questions to his woman to see if she really is down with him and if she understands the severity of their situation. Okay, so maybe the song isn't THAT serious, but at the core of this track, it is a slightly creative love song, and 50 does his thing of course, but Nate is the star of the show here with his infectious hook and bridge that carried the track to higher heights, reaching no. 1 across the board on all of the charts. This might actually be the biggest hit that Nate has been a part of.

*Shade Sheist featuring Nate Dogg and Kurupt- Where I Wanna Be (2000)

-Do you remember Shade Sheist? Probably not. All for the better I would say, because his music overall wasn't that memorable, BUT, this song was for sure. I couldn't recite many of the lyrics in the verses, but I could certainly recite the Nate Dogg hook word for word. In essence, this is a song that FEATURES Nate, but feels like it is Nate featuring the other artists. His hook is one of his catchiest and well put together, and despite this single not being the biggest crossover hit, you guessed it, it made no. 1 on the Billboard Rap Charts, which was yet another win for a Nate blessed single.

*Mos Def and Pharoahe Monch featuring Nate Dogg- Oh No (2000)

-I loved this song, most because it was different to hear Nate alongside East Coast lyrical MCs on a single. He was usually alongside the West Coast rhymers for their singles, so this track turned out to be a pleasant surprise in a major way. Mos and Monch do their part, but of course, Nate commands all the attention, controlling the pace and feel of the song with his excellent and infectious hook. The single wasn't the biggest hit crossover wise, but it did manage to hit no. 1 on the Billboard Rap charts, proving to be a success. Any single with Nate on it always hit the mark it seemed.

*Ludacris featuring Nate Dogg- Area Codes (2001)

-Of course, this single has to get mentioned. It is one of my favorite Nate features and one of my favorite Ludacris songs. The song is extremely catchy and in execution, it was actually creative for the time. The Jazze Pha produced track was smooth and melodic, and while Luda and his verses were memorable as always, the highlight of the song is no secret. Nate Dogg was always the highlight on every song he featured on, and this was no different as his bridge and hook sealed this song as a hit and it would reach the top 10 of the Billboard Rap Charts of course, giving Nate another hit under his belt as a featured artist.

-True