Nate Dogg dies at 41

Rapper Nate Dogg died Tuesday. He was 41. The cause of death is not yet known, but Nate Dogg, whose real name was Nathaniel D. Hale, had suffered strokes in 2007 and 2008 according to People.com.

Hale was part of a family of rappers known as Dogg Pound Gangsta Crips (DPGC), a group which also includes Snoop Dogg and Daz Dillinger.

Snoop Dogg responded to the announcement of Hale's death on Twitter.

We lost a true legend in hip hop n rnb. I love u buddy luv. U will always b wit me 4ever n a day, he tweeted.

Daz Dillinger also used Twitter to react to the news.

R.I.P. to my homeboy Nate Dogg DPGC Dogg Pound gangsta 4 life, he wrote.

The Twittersphere is buzzing with the news of Hale's death as #Nate Dogg has become a Trending Topic.

Rapper Xzibit tweeted, We love you Nate Dogg, it's never going to be the same. Reggie Bush tweeted, R.I.B. Nate Dogg!!! Rest in Beats!! Ludacris responded by saying There is a certain void in hip hop's heart that can never be filled. Glad we got to make history together. RT @SnoopDogg: RIP NATE DOGG.

Hale, who was born and raised in California, is known for his collaborations with artists such as Eminem, Ghostface Killah, and Ludacris. His song Area Codes with Ludacris was a huge hit when it was released.

He was a four-time Grammy nominee and a major part in the West Coast G-Funk sound. His most recent solo album, titled Nate Dogg was released in 2008.