Fans Flock to Dome to Remember Nate Dogg--Even at a Distance

It was chilly and overcast Saturday morning as family, friends and fans filed into the Queen Mary Dome to , born Nathaniel Hale. He passed away March 15 at age 41 from heart problems, and judging by the reaction this week locally, he will be missed.

Fans were advised to wear warm clothing, that is, fans who were lucky enough to be one of the first thousand to call and request a ticket from the Sixth District Councilman Dee Andrews' office. The memorial service was originally scheduled to be open to the public, but family and city authorities decided Friday to limit the crowd. The first 1,000 were instructed to pick up their tickets from Long Beach City College, where a shuttle was waiting to take them to the funeral.

Some didn't get the memo, as one police officer remarked, including a man who drove with his family all the way from Nevada.

Those without a ticket were turned away at the gate, though a few stragglers and late-comers milled around either of the two entrances, one for family and friends, the other for the general public. Both portals were heavily guarded by police, event security and private officers. One event officer reported that "some crazy people kept trying to take pictures yesterday at the viewing," though the "no photography" rule was strictly enforced.

No one seemed to be too upset about not getting in. Many paid their respects yesterday at the New Hope Baptist Church, where Nate Dogg was trained as a gospel singer, or at V.I.P. Records, where Nate Dogg first recorded with Snoop Dogg and Warren G. as the rap trio 213. This was essentially their big break, as Dr. Dre listened to the album and signed them on to work with him.

Kelvin Anderson, Jr., son of Kelvin Anderson, Sr., owner of V.I.P. records, was part of the crowd, wearing a custom-made black collared shirt that read "R.I.P. Nate Dogg, You Will Be Missed." He has been a part of the store and the community his whole life and acknowledged with respect the immense influence Nate Dogg had on West Coast hip-hop styles, especially G-funk, a melodic, funk-infused sub-genre of hip hop that emerged in the 1990s, largely due to Nate Dogg's soulful voice, which appeared as interludes for various rappers, such as Eminem, Tupac and Snoop Dogg. His hit collaborations number over 40, in addition to four full-length albums.

Anderson, Jr., said of the late rapper, "I didn't know him very well, but he was always very personable when he came into the store, joking around and being friendly."

Ray Porter, a friend of Nate Dogg from the old days at Poly High, described him as "a good, regular guy. Like if we were having a conversation, he would join in and just blend in. That's the kind of spirit he had."

Porter works with security at Poly High and said that he got to know Nate Dogg through countless basketball games on campus. He remarked that it was good for the community of Long Beach for people to come out to Saturday's service.

Edward Salas, 23, was waiting in line as a part of the public in order to "pay respects to my boy and show some love." His friend Oscar Perez, 21, remarked he'd been a fan of Nate Dogg since Regulate and all the way through to his collaborations with 50 Cent.

Many in line declined comment: some who appeared deep in mourning, and some just hanging out with friends and waiting for the action to begin.

The ceremony was delayed until 11 a.m. and ended at 2 p.m.

Though no media was allowed inside the event, attendees said afterwards that it was very nice. Nate Dogg's close friends Snoop Dogg, Warren G. and Xzibit gave remembrance speeches, and there was a gospel performance. The benefit concert scheduled to follow at 7 p.m. Saturday was canceled.

Willie Weston, Jr., an energetic 62-year-old fan, managed to score a program guide from mourners exiting the V.I.P. section. He was very excited, remarking that "people are nice. They'll share if you ask, because we're all humans. The only stars are the ones in the sky."

Lalo Macias, 30, was also waiting outside the family and friends entrance, and though he did not know Nate Dogg personally, he knew of him through Snoop Dogg.  "I think it's good for the community for the service to be public," Macias said, "And though these guys are big names, I'm amazed at how humble they all still are. Like, Snoop Dogg will never be only about himself, he'll say, come along, hop in the truck, and we'll all go party, you know."

Local rapper Jamarr Stamps, who goes by the name Bad Azz, enthusiastically remembered a time in Vegas with Nate Dogg, when they shared a huge stage good for 20 performers just between the two of them. “Good times,” he said. 

Bad Azz said that knew Nate Dogg through Snoop, who introduced them when Bad Azz was 15. Bad Azz went to Lowell Elementary, Rogers Middle School and Wilson High, like many attendees who are Long Beach natives. (See his video tribute in the accompanying gallery.)

If there is one thing to say about the Long Beach hip-hop scene, it is that artists seem very supportive of one another, and hometown roots are deeply ingrained in many of today’s mourning hearts.

Nate Dogg was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetary in North Long Beach, a strictly private event.

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