Its five days before Christmas. Hordes of New Yorkers and tourists hustle to finish shopping or make their way through mid-town traffic. The streets buzz with scents of exhaust, pine and expectancy. Everyone rushes to get out of work or out of town, except Nathaniel Hale. This 32 year old businessman, better known as the O.G., Nate Dogg, has just flown in from Long Beach, the night before, to work until he gets the job done.
Nate Dogg is no ordinary businessman, and his is no ordinary job. He is in New York promoting his latest work, released on Elektra Records, Music and Me, a joint he describes as “just a fun album”. Diverse and exciting as parties and promos may be, Nate sounds eager to return in time to celebrate Christmas with family. “I party all year around, so a party’s not that appealing.” With countless hits to his repertoire, the smooth voiced crooner knows enough of fame to appreciate the fun and the work of it.
A prolific songwriter, Nate Dogg has collaborated with many of hip hop’s heavyweights on innumerable albums, and conducts an interview as effortlessly as he sings. However, the diplomacy and eloquence of this O.G. hints at the open-minded and sophisticated, southern gentleman behind the music and media-ready exterior. Mind you, you have not been played.
Nate is very real, and I have it on authority that, on any given night at the club, if a fine woman, unhappy with her man, slips him her number, he’s gonna call. However, the low key bachelor has an in-house studio, and uses it – a lot. These two very different aspects of his life are balanced by the manner with which he feeds off both, using both to fuel his creativity. He’s created archives of songs over the years, including a litany of love songs, designated for future solo use. He’s also written for other artists on his own label. At present, that material is on the ‘DL.’
AD LOADING...
Regarding his creative process, Nate Dogg does not enjoy using formulas to produce songs. He prefers to “just go in there, and then let the music take you where you tryin’ to go.” Throughout conversation, Nate Dogg gives the impression that his love for music is rooted in a deep respect for music as its own entity.
On Music & Me, Nate Dogg had a great time working with old friends. The most fun he had was working on “Your Wife,” with Dr.Dre. No doubt, part of the fun resulted from finally collaborating with the man responsible for Nate’s first record deal. When asked whose idea was the topic of “Your Wife“, Nate answered, “Mine… I should’a said his. I should’a gave him the credit for it.”
Other artists and producers who joined forces on Music & Me include Ludacris, Lil’ Mo, Fabolous, Snoop Dogg , Jermaine Dupri, and others. The Bink! Produced track, “I Got Love” is the first track released off the album. Nate’s impetus for that choice was instinctive. “I just heard the track and knew that was it.”
Several tracks on Music & Me showcase Nate Dogg’s sense of humorous storytelling, particularly regarding his relationship to women. On the extent of truth in these stories, “It depends on the night…Some of ’em are true, you know. Some of ’em have a little bit of fiction topped off with the truth, you know…But, you know.” We know some, and we fill in the rest ourselves.
AD LOADING...
At earlier times before their individual careers blossomed, Nate Dogg, Warren G and Snoop Dogg formed 213, a group that missed its big moment, due to circumstances that were out of Nate Dogg’s control. However, the group is now considering following through with that venture. Nate’s also developing songs for artists on his own label.
Nate’s practical and lighthearted about many aspects of his life. On the subject of grocery shopping, which he does himself, he’s basic. “I’m a bachelor. (If) I don’t shop, I don’t eat.” Asked to describe his ideal woman, he responds, “I have an ideal woman.” The thing Nate likes least about the music industry is “Greed.” Ironically, what he loves most is, “I get paid and I don’t have to work too hard.” When not club-hopping, a typical night for Nate is spent working in his in-house studio.
For this O.G., being home with family for Christmas and New Years will be the best gift, and he’s going to be Santa. But, make no mistake, January 1st will be the start of new business for Nate Dogg.
