The unmistakable G-Funk sound of Southern California created a style that in the 90’s shaped Hip Hop culture in it’s own image. Since it’s conception by Dr. Dre with The Chronic, G-Funk has grown to be one Hip Hop’s most unique and distinguished sub-genre and has spread West Coast culture across the globe. On this day in Hip Hop history we celebrate the birth of the self proclaimed King of G-Funk Nate Dogg.
Known for his smooth soulful vocals on the hooks of some of the the 90’s most popular G-Funk cuts, Nate Dogg became one of the most recognizable voices of the genre. His music career began in 1990 when he and his cousin, Snoop Dogg, formed the group 213 along with fellow Long Beach rapperWarren G. After gaining clout in the newly exploding California rap scene, the group recorded their first demo at the iconic V.I.P. Record Store in Long Beach. The demo was passed along to Dr. Dre giving Nate Dogg and the rest of 213 the break they needed.
Nate Dogg’s first placement was on the Dr. Dre’s classic debut The Chronic singing the outro to “Deeez Nuuuts”. He would go on to sign with Death Row Records following the praise and acclaim he received after the album’s release. With Death Row, Nate Dogg continued to sing hooks and harmonize over tracks for various artists on the label. in 1994, he and Warren G released their first hit single “Regulate”.
Over the years Nate Dogg continued to show up on well known work by artists such as 2Pac, Eminem, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, and more. He has released three solo albums and has been nominated for four Grammy Awards.
Unfortunately, Nate Dogg struggled with his health and passed away March 15th, 2011 due to complications from repeated seizures. Although he may have physically left this world, his impact on rap is an eternal reminder of his influence on the culture. Today we celebrate his life and achievements as one of G-Funks greatest pioneers.
Rapper Hella Sketchy died on Thursday (June 27) of a reported overdose. He was just 18 years old.
“The tragic passing of Hella Sketchy is a devastating loss,” said Atlantic Records in a press statement on Friday (June 28). “He was an enormously creative, sensitive soul with a brilliant sense of humor. He was just beginning to show the world his talent and originality, and it’s heartbreaking that such a bright future has been cut short. Everyone at APG and Atlantic sends our deepest condolence to his family, friends and fans.”
Page Six reports that Hella Sketchy’s father Erik Thureson confirmed his son’s death on Twitter.
Unfortunately, Sketchy was found unresponsive on June 13 and was in a coma for two weeks.
Although unconfirmed, it seems that Sketchy’s overdose was opioid-related. Rest in power.
Part 1 #ripsketchy#ripjacob#riplittlebuddy You are not supposed to go before your father or grandfather. That’s not supposed to happen. That’s not how this works. We have no words.
— Erik Thureson #filmcrew (@erikthureson) June 27, 2019
Part 2 #ripsketchy#ripjacob#riplittlebuddy Jacob was found unresponsive on June 13th from an apparent drug overdose. He was revived and brought to the ER where he’s been in a coma for 14 days.
Renowned designer Karl Lagerfeld passed away in Paris earlier this morning, ending his astounding era as a Creative Director for Chanel, Fendi and his own namesake label. The one that made it possible for Frank Ocean to even croon about “seeing both sides like Chanel” — Mr. Lagerfeld famously created the “double C” logo back in the ’80s when he assumed the role after Coco Chanel’s death in 1971 — Karl was always about pushing boundaries, creating conversation around his creations and ultimately pulling from all sources of influence to construct ready-to-wear garments that would truly be groundbreaking. He accomplished that and so much more, but one key source of inspiration that isn’t talked about enough is his fascination with Hip-Hop fashion. It’s currently apparent with the examples of lyrical praise as mentioned above and in countless other rap verses, but Karl Lagerfeld has honestly been a rap fiend since the very beginning.
As seen above in Vogue‘s video profile of the Chanel Autumn/Winter 1991 fashion show, which took place less than a decade after he became head of haute couture designs in 1983 and then ready-to-wear as well in 1984, the core influence for that season in particular was borrowed from the rise of rap in the early ’90s. Big bling, oversized caps, leather outwear that looked like bubble flight jackets and supermodel Stephanie Roberts effortlessly making her way down the runway in denim and a perfectly-picked afro all made for the perfect tribute. One of the looks from the show, worn by fellow fashion diva Linda Evangelista, even inspired an unforgettable ‘fit worn by rap queen Cardi B during a performance of “Money Bag” last year on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Then there are examples of Lagerfeld’s more direct influences on the rap game, like his longstanding industry friendship with Kanye West — he shot ‘Ye for the cover of VMAN in 2011, sparked collab rumors a year later during a mere power lunch and later captured the Kimye love for the cover of Harper’s Bazaar in 2016 — and his current partnership with Pharrell, which has led to a limited edition pair of adidas NMDs, a Disney Prince-inspired feature in the short film “Reincarnation” directed by Lagerfeld and a current brand collaboration in the works that was teased back in October during the Chanel Cruise 2018/19 replica show. That’s not even to mention the art direction Karl blessed Kanye protégée Theophilus London with for his 2015 sophomore album Vibes!, proving that his eye is on the new school of Hip-Hop just as much as it is on the big curators of our culture.
Image: Karl Lagerfeld / VMAN
Image: Karl Lagerfeld / Harper’s Bazaar
Image: Chanel
Image: Brent Lewin / Getty Images
Warner Bros. Records
Creating fashion for the female form was Karl’s expertise, so the women of Hip-Hop were of course in love with his creations the most. One in particular happened to be our sole female 2019 Power 30 Issue inductee Rihanna, who has been a muse for years to the fashion industry impresario, whether she’s front-and-center at the latest Chanel presentation, supporting him over at Fendi, or just rocking one of his vintage designs during an unforgettable performance at the Victoria Secret Fashion Show back in 2012.
Image: Dominique Charriau / WireImage
Image: Bertrand Rindoff Petroff / Getty Images
Image: Steve Eichner
Image: Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images
During a 2008 Harper’s Bazaar fashion editorial that decked out designers in their fantasy roles, Lagerfeld dressed up as an MC and was quoted as saying, “Believe it or not, I love rap!” No worries, fam — we believe you 100%. The feeling is very mutual.
Image: Swan Gallet / WWD / REX / Shuttershock
Image: ELLE
Image: WireImage
Image: Harper’s Bazaar
R.I.P. to Karl Lagerfeld, who will continue to live on through his illustrious designs and mark on the world overall via his vivid vision of style. Let us know your thoughts on this unfortunate loss over on our Facebook and Twitter!
The Mind Squad would like to send a supreme posthumous salute to Albert “Prodigy” Johnson, the lyrical half of the “Infamous” Mobb Deep. Last year, the Hip Hop community lost Prodigy in what is recognized as a freak hospital accident, with reports stating that P passed after choking on an egg while hospitalized for his sickle cell condition.
Prodigy will forever be remembered as on of NYC’s powerhouses of the rap game, repping the Rotten Apple in feuds within the five boroughs (Jay-Z, Tru Life) as well as cross country (Tupac, Crooked I). With his QB partner Havoc, the Hempstead, Long Island native inherited the crown as the kings of NYC crime rhyme from their elder Queens comrade Kool G. Rap and have upheld their position for more than two decades. P’s solo career was stellar in its own right, with his H.N.I.C. trilogy serving as one of the best solo efforts from an NYC artist that came from a group since Busta Rhymes.
Salute to Prodigy on his born day and his contributions through his art and music will maintain his relevance in Hip Hop forever. R.I.P.!
