UPDATE: Rap Royalty at Nate Dogg Memorial but 7pm Tribute Canceled

Updated with photos from the memorial service.

The life of Long Beach rapper Nathaniel Hale, who performed as Nate Dogg and began singing with Snoop Dogg at Poly High before a successful recording career, was celebrated at a Saturday funeral at the Queen Mary Dome.

A tribute concert that had been planned for 7 p.m. tonight at the same venue has been canceled, according to the Press Telegram,  which reported that 1,000 people were attending the service at the giant white dome beside the ship near downtown Long Beach, and as many as 1,000 more people were outside the venue.

Hale, 41, died March 15 after suffering two debilitating strokes in recent years. He sang in the New Hope Baptist Church choir and started performing with Warren G and Snoop Dogg at Long Beach Poly High School under the name 213. But he dropped out at age 16 to join the Marine Corps, and served for three years before returning to a music career.

He signed with Death Row Records in 1993 and was featured on several releases by the slain rap star Tupac Shakur. Like many rappers, he was in and out of legal trouble. He made a name for himself on Dr. Dre's 1992 hit album "The Chronic,'' followed by a breakthrough performance alongside Warren G on "Regulate." He later released several solo albums, including "G-Funk Classics Vol. 1 & 2.''

In 2007, he suffered a stroke that paralyzed him on his left side. The next year, he suffered another stroke. His cause of death was reportedly congestive heart failure.

City News Service contributed to this report.