Regulate... G Funk Era


Regulate... G Funk Era is the debut studio album by American rapper Warren G. It was released on June 7, 1994, by Violator and distributed by Rush Associated Labels, a division of Def Jam Recordings. 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' " 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." 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." 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 three million copies in the US and has been certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

2014 re-release

The album was re-released in 2014 to coincide with its 20th anniversary. It includes three 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

  • All songs produced by Warren G

    Personnel

  • Warren G – vocals, background vocals, producer
  • Chris Lighty, Paul Stewart – executive producer
  • John Philip Shenale – editing
  • John Morris – assistant engineer, mixing, mixing assistant
  • Greg Geitzenauer – keyboards, mixing, engineer
  • Mike Ainsworth – assistant engineer
  • Ulysses Noriega – assistant engineer
  • George "Yorrgi" Gallegos – assistant engineer
  • Christopher C. Murphy – assistant engineer/runner
  • Tony Green, Daniel Shulman – bass
  • Che Laird, Andreas Straub, Morris O'Connor – guitar
  • Sean "Barney" Thomas – keyboards
  • Carl "Butch" Small – percussion
  • Nate Dogg, Ricky Harris, B-Tip, Deon, Dewayne, Lady Levi, Jah-Skilz – vocals
  • The Dove Shack – vocals, background vocals
  • O.G.L.B. – background vocals
  • Bernie Grundman – mastering
  • Michael Miller – photography

    Samples

"Regulate"
"Do You See"
"Super Soul Sis"
"94 Ho Draft"
"This Is The Shack"
"This D.J."
  • "Curious" by Midnight Star
  • "Juicy Fruit" by Mtume
  • "Paid in Full" by Eric B. & Rakim
"And Ya Don't Stop"
"Runnin' wit No Breaks"
"So Many Ways"
  • "Take Your Time " by the S.O.S. Band
"What's Next"
"Recognize"

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Singles – Billboard
YearSingleChartPosition
1994"Do You See"Billboard Hot 10042
1994"Regulate"Billboard Hot 1002
1994"This D.J."Billboard Hot 1009

Certifications