Sad news travels fast and I just heard that Nathaniel D. Hale, best known in the music industry as Nate Dogg, has passed away…

As of this post, the cause of his death hasn’t been revealed, however Hale had suffered two strokes in previous years… one in 2007 and another in 2008.

According to Long Beach’s Press Telegram,  the announcement was made by the late rapper’s family Wednesday afternoon.

Nate Dogg was best known in the music industry as the silky voiced featured singer on several songs from west coast legends like Snoop Dogg’s Lay Low and Warren G’s “Regulate”…. and let’s not forget his vocals on Snoops “Ain’t No Fun”…

VIDEO: Ain’t No Fun ~ Snoop Dogg ft. Kurrupt & Warren G.

Born and raised in Long Beach, California, Hale was only 41 at the time of his passing.  R.I.P. Nate Dogg…

*UPDATE 3/16/11 3:02am* Snoop Dogg recently shared the following via his Twitter:

VIDEO: “Area Codes” ~ Ludacris ft. Nate Dogg