NEWSWarren G on Nate Dogg's Death: "I Still Don't Believe It"
March 21 2011, Published 11:52 a.m. ET
The hip-hop community took a hit last week when beloved member Nate Dogg passed away from complications of strokes he suffered in 2007 and 2008. His close friends, Warren G, Daz, Kurupt and Snoop Dogg showed their respects at South by Southwest this weekend with a tribute show that celebrated Nate's music and all-too-short career.
Warren G and Snoop were especially close to Nate, forming the hip-hop group 312 with the artist.
"I was out on the Sweat Tour with Snoop, and we had got the word from his family on what was going on, and it was just a crushing blow for us," Warren told MTV. "Just, from going to see him and lifting his spirits up when he was in therapy, and stuff like that, it's just crazy for that to happen. And I still don't believe it, you know what I'm saying?"
The organizers of the SXSW tribute show sold Nate Dogg T-shirts, with proceeds going to the late singer's family, and Warren, along with many artist, wore the shirts to show unity and support.
"It kind of hurts me when I look at this shirt, it's like, 'Damn, that's my homeboy on this shirt,' " he shared. "And I'm hurting, and you know, a lot of people are showing tons of support for his family, for his homeboys, and we really and truly appreciate that. It's real love."
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Warren also said he knew Nate was on stage with him in spirit and that he will carry on his legacy.
"It means a lot, you know, because this is something that's being done for a person that we really love. It's deeper than music, that's a brother to us, to me and Kurupt and Snoop and Daz ... it's really deeper than that," he said. "I mean, like, I'm not a psychic or a genie or a gypsy or anything, but I know deep down in my heart he's around us, he's with us ... he's with us in spirit. Everything we do, he's a part of it."
Catch the clip, via MTV, below.
