Ain't no fun, if my homies can't have none
So, as if drive-by shootings, felony charges, neighbourhood beefs, drug addiction and paternity cases weren't enough to get rappers in a sweat, it seems we can add cardiac complications to the list of things out to harm our lyrical heroes. The sad news has filtered through of the "mild stroke" suffered by West Coast G-Funk legend, Nate Dogg, over the Christmas period. Apparently the prognosis is positive and despite reported paralysis on one side of his body, which could and should hopefully get better through time and rehabilitation, no brain damage has been reported, nor speech or vocal problems. The news therefore, appears to be good, and thank goodness for that.
This brush with mortality, as well as being a warning to us al to look after ourselves better, gladly also offers an opportunity to just stop for a moment to pay homage to Nate Dogg, as I know it is not just me who thinks that the melodious G-Funk chorus-provider extraordinaire is an absolute legend * the proclaimed king of hooks. As if his work on Death Row with Dre, cousin Snoop, best friend Warren G, and Tupac amongst others was not enough to grant him supreme status amongst hip-hop heads, can we also just take a moment to consider the supergroup 213. Snoop, Warren G and Nate, the Long Beach massive.
I know many were unimpressed with their 2004 long-player "The Hard Way", but come along now people * just the concept itself is enough to make me go wild. Not only, in the world of false unions and forced collaborations, is this a genuine group album made by three friends who honestly seem to have enjoyed the experience, but the album is simply huge. Going back to their roots and staying true to their influences and the very streets that raised them, "The Hard Way" is a classic slice of laid-back G-funk ripe for the summertime. Who cares if it was released 10 years too late for that scene? We all love the sound, and we all love the rappers, and most of all we love Nate's singing. So get well soon Nate Dogg, the hip-hop world needs the smoothness.
This brush with mortality, as well as being a warning to us al to look after ourselves better, gladly also offers an opportunity to just stop for a moment to pay homage to Nate Dogg, as I know it is not just me who thinks that the melodious G-Funk chorus-provider extraordinaire is an absolute legend * the proclaimed king of hooks. As if his work on Death Row with Dre, cousin Snoop, best friend Warren G, and Tupac amongst others was not enough to grant him supreme status amongst hip-hop heads, can we also just take a moment to consider the supergroup 213. Snoop, Warren G and Nate, the Long Beach massive.
I know many were unimpressed with their 2004 long-player "The Hard Way", but come along now people * just the concept itself is enough to make me go wild. Not only, in the world of false unions and forced collaborations, is this a genuine group album made by three friends who honestly seem to have enjoyed the experience, but the album is simply huge. Going back to their roots and staying true to their influences and the very streets that raised them, "The Hard Way" is a classic slice of laid-back G-funk ripe for the summertime. Who cares if it was released 10 years too late for that scene? We all love the sound, and we all love the rappers, and most of all we love Nate's singing. So get well soon Nate Dogg, the hip-hop world needs the smoothness.
posted by Twelve Bar at 2:42 AM
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