LONG BEACH (KTLA) -- TMZ spotted rappers and close friends Snoop Dogg and Warren G among a crowd of hundreds who gathered at the Queen Mary Dome Saturday morning to honor singer Nate Dogg.
The public service commenced at 10a.m., and a private service is set for 7p.m. Saturday at the same location.
Born Nathaniel Hale, the integral figure in the rap genre died on March 16 at the age of 41 of complications due to multiple strokes.
A public viewing was held Friday at New Hope Baptist Church where Hale once sang in the choir.
He was paralyzed on one side of his body after a massive stroke in 2007. He suffered a second stroke in 2008.
Hale got his start as a member of his church choir, and shot up the charts while recording with Snoop Dogg and Warren G.
Snoop Dogg, who is also from Long Beach, tweeted after news surfaced of his death: "We lost a true legend n hip hop n rnb. One of my best friends n a brother to me since 1986 when I was a sophomore at poly high where we met. I love u buddy luv. U will always b wit me 4ever n a day u put the g n g funk u put the 1 n 213 n u put yo stamp on evrybdy u ever didit wit."
Snoop continued, "I miss u cuzz I am so sad but so happy I got to grow up wit u and I will c u again n heaven cuz u know d slogan." He added, "all doggs go to heaven yo homie n baby brotha bigg snoopdogg!!"
Comedian Dave Chappelle also took to Twitter to talk about Hale's passing, writing, "Moment of silence for a hip-hop legend; RIP Nate Dogg. You will be missed, G Funk Era forever. #natedogg."
Nate released three solo albums: G-Funk Classics, Vol 1 & 2 in 1998, Music And Me in 2001 and a self-titled LP in 2004.
He was nominated for four Grammys, most recently for Best Rap/Song Collaboration in 2007 for the Eminem song "Shake That."
The public service commenced at 10a.m., and a private service is set for 7p.m. Saturday at the same location.
A public viewing was held Friday at New Hope Baptist Church where Hale once sang in the choir.
He was paralyzed on one side of his body after a massive stroke in 2007. He suffered a second stroke in 2008.
Hale got his start as a member of his church choir, and shot up the charts while recording with Snoop Dogg and Warren G.
Snoop Dogg, who is also from Long Beach, tweeted after news surfaced of his death: "We lost a true legend n hip hop n rnb. One of my best friends n a brother to me since 1986 when I was a sophomore at poly high where we met. I love u buddy luv. U will always b wit me 4ever n a day u put the g n g funk u put the 1 n 213 n u put yo stamp on evrybdy u ever didit wit."
Snoop continued, "I miss u cuzz I am so sad but so happy I got to grow up wit u and I will c u again n heaven cuz u know d slogan." He added, "all doggs go to heaven yo homie n baby brotha bigg snoopdogg!!"
Comedian Dave Chappelle also took to Twitter to talk about Hale's passing, writing, "Moment of silence for a hip-hop legend; RIP Nate Dogg. You will be missed, G Funk Era forever. #natedogg."
Nate released three solo albums: G-Funk Classics, Vol 1 & 2 in 1998, Music And Me in 2001 and a self-titled LP in 2004.
He was nominated for four Grammys, most recently for Best Rap/Song Collaboration in 2007 for the Eminem song "Shake That."
