Nate Dogg’s Family Debating Selling Off Late Rapper’s Music Catalog 13 Years After His Death

Nate Dogg’s widow LaToya Calvin revealed she is making moves to potentially sell the late rapper’s music catalog for upwards of $4 million, In Touch can exclusively report.

According to court documents obtained by In Touch, LaToya, who is an heir of Nate’s estate, and her lawyer updated the court on the discussions over the catalog.

In her filing, LaToya explained that she would like a music manager named Brian Shafton to take over as administrator of the estate.

LaToya’s lawyer said Brian could help with the catalog and the “various options and issues being considered and navigated.”

The current estate administrator, Alex Borden, told LaToya’s lawyer he had no issue resigning in favor of a successor, “if all the heirs are on board with same.”

Nate died on March 15, 2011, at the age of 41.

Before his death, Nate was severely injured in a car accident. The accident led to arguments between LaToya and Nate’s family, specifically with his son Naijiel Hale, according to TMZ.

The legendary rapper left behind nine children. LaToya, who was married to Nate but reportedly estranged at the time of his death, and his children are the beneficiaries of the estate.

It was believed Nate had six children but a report in the estate listed a total of nine. Nate had filed for divorce from LaToya but the case had yet to be finalized before his death.

As a result, LaToya was awarded a cut of the estate. In her new filing, LaToya explained that she spoke to an attorney for one of the guardians of Nate’s child, Sianna Hale.

The lawyer told LaToya’s lawyer that the guardian would not be making any decisions for Sianna since Sianna turned 18 next year. The guardian said Sianna could make her own decision “as to her share of the estate and its future sale or management.”

LaToya noted that the guardian thought Sianna “might be open to selling her interest in the estate if such an opportunity presented itself.”

LaToya’s counsel also spoke to a lawyer for Naijiel. LaToya said she spoke to Nate’s son’s lawyer and told him about the idea of the music manager taking over as administrator.

The filing said Naijiel was informed that Brian could help with managing the estate’s music catalog.

Naijiel’s lawyer explained that his client appears to be in favor of the music manager’s involvement but “that he was not sure about his position as to [the music manager] taking over as replacement administrator of Nate’s estate.

Per the filing, Naijiel’s lawyer “was not able to confirm whether his client would object to such an appointment or not, but he did confirm that he would not be likely to affirmatively sign a consent to it.” LaToya’s lawyer said he planned on filing a petition seeking the current administrator to be replaced by Brian. In a letter that LaToya’s lawyer sent to the heirs, he noted, “Brian Shafton has an extensive career in the music industry, with a focus on rap artists. Currently, he focuses on both the sale of music catalog rights for artists and estates and also the management of these catalogs to optimize their income and exposure.

For the past year Brian has explored valuations on the Music Rights, in the event that any heirs wish to sell their positions.”

The letter continued, “One reason for this letter is to share the expected current valuation of the Music Rights with all the heirs, so each of you can make a more informed individual decision moving forward. Preliminary exploration of a sale indicates that the Music Rights could be sold for approximately $3,000,000 to $4,000,000, if only a percentage of the catalog were sold or perhaps an additional $1,000,000 if the entire catalog were sold.”

LaToya’s lawyer added, “Because more than one of the heirs has expressed little to no desire in selling, I also want to be clear that selling the Music Rights would not require all the heirs to participate in selling their interests. While a minimum % of the catalog would be required for any buyer, it can be structured such that some heirs may wish to sell all their interests, some may wish to sell only some of their interests, and some may wish to sell all their interests. Brian has indicated that he would only want to sell the shares of those heirs who voluntarily wish to sell.”

Nate’s children have yet to respond.