Nate Dogg was born in Long Beach, California At the age of 16 he dropped out of high school and left home to join the United States Marine Corps,serving for three years. He was the friend and partner in the rap game with rappers Snoop Dogg, Warren G, RBX, Daz Dillinger and was the cousin of Butch Cassidy, Snoop Dogg,and Lil' ½ Dead. Nate, Snoop Dogg and Warren G formed a rap trio called 213,[5] which recorded its first demo in the back of the famed V.I.P record store in Long Beach. The demo was later heard by Dr. Dre at a house party, who was impressed with Nate's soulful voice. Nate Dogg made his debut on The Chronic. Then in 1994 he produced his first hit single "Regulate" with Warren G. Nate Dogg was also featured in many Tupac releases, including his collaboration record Thug Life: Volume I.

In early 1990s, Hale was charged of two separate robberies, Check Changers robbery in 1991 and robbery of a San Pedro Taco Bell in 1994. He faced a maximum of nearly eleven years in prison,but he was subsequently acquitted of both charges.

In 1996, Hale was convicted of drug-related offense in Los Angeles County.[13]

In June 17, 2000, Hale was alleged to have kidnapped and assaulted his former girlfriend and set her mother's car on fire in Lakewood. He was arrested by a SWAT team in his home Pomona. He was accused of kidnapping, domestic violence, making terrorist threats and arson. He spent a night in the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles before he was released on a $1 million bail.These charges were later dismissed, but Hale faced jail time for a new charge, illegal possession of a firearm by felon. An unmarked firearm was found in his home during the June 17 arrest.Hale pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge, and was sentenced to probation of three years and ordered to pay a $1,000 fine.

On December 19, 2007, he suffered a stroke. In January 2008, it was officially reported that the stroke had rendered the left side of his body paralyzed. Doctors believed there would be a full recovery, and his voice was not affected. In September 2008, Hale suffered a second stroke. Warren G later confirmed that since the second stroke, Hale was undergoing physical therapy in an attempt to return to some normality, but it was unclear whether he would be able to resume his singing career.

Nate Dogg died on March 15, 2011 in of congestive heart failure along with complications related to his previous strokes.