Regulate... G Funk Era Explained

Regulate... G Funk Era
Type:studio
Artist:Warren G
Cover:Regulate G Funk Era.jpg
Released:June 7, 1994
Recorded:1993–1994
Studio:
Length:36:50
Producer:Warren G
Next Title:Take a Look Over Your Shoulder
Next Year:1997

Regulate... G Funk Era is the debut studio album by American rapper Warren G. It was released on June 7, 1994, by Violator Records and distributed by Rush Associated Labels. The album's biggest hit was the eponymous single "Regulate", a gritty depiction of West Coast gang life which samples singer Michael McDonald's hit "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)" and featured Nate Dogg. The album also contained the top ten hit "This D.J." The song "Regulate" was also featured on the Above the Rim soundtrack, which was released on March 22, 1994. An altered version of the song "So Many Ways" appeared in the 1995 film Bad Boys.

Warren G received two Grammy nominations: "This D.J." was nominated for a 1995 Grammy Award for Best Rap Solo Performance, while "Regulate" was nominated for a 1995 Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. The album was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 1995 Soul Train Music Awards.

Critical reception

The album received generally positive reviews from critics. Spin highly recommended the album, concluding: "Truth be told, Warren G. wasn't cut out to be a hardass. He's a romantic, in love with soft sound."[1] The New York Times opined that Regulate... G Funk Era "is the first gangster rap album with crossover appeal... The music is slow, smooth and soulful. The arrangements are complicated, and the melodies sweet."[2] Critic Robert Christgau commented positively regarding the coolly menacing nature of the music.

Commercial performance

The album debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard Top 200 albums chart, selling 176,000 in its opening week. The album later went on the sell over 3 million copies in the US and has been certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

2014 re-release

The album was re-released in 2014, to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the album. It includes 3 additional mixes of "Regulate"; the "Destructo & Wax Motif Remix", featuring Motif, the "Photek Remix" featuring Nate Dogg, and the "Jauz Remix", also featuring Nate Dogg.

Track listing

Personnel

Samples

Regulate

Do You See

Super Soul Sis

94 Ho Draft

This Is The Shack

This D.J.

And Ya Don't Stop

Runnin' Wit No Breaks

So Many Ways

What's Next

Recognize

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (1994)Position
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[3] 73
US Billboard 200[4] 32
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[5] 9

Singles – Billboard (North America)

YearSingleChartPosition
1994"Do You See"Billboard Hot 100
  1. 42
1994"Regulate"Billboard Hot 100
  1. 2
1994"This D.J."Billboard Hot 100
  1. 9

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: SPIN. 1994-09-01. SPIN Media LLC. en.
  2. News: Strauss . Neil . New Leaf for Gangster Rap . The New York Times . June 23, 1994 . C14.
  3. Web site: Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts. de. GfK Entertainment. offiziellecharts.de. May 3, 2021.
  4. Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1994. Billboard. June 17, 2021. January 23, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150123054246/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1994/the-billboard-200. live.
  5. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1994. Billboard. May 3, 2021.