Because his first single, "Regulate," is also the debut track from the "Above The Rim" soundtrack album, rapper Warren G is enjoying a high profile that should aid in consumer awareness when his own debut album, "G-Funk Era," drops on Violator/RAL/Chaos. "Regulate," which is heard in its entirety during the movie's closing credits, debuted at No.64 on the Hot R&B Singles chart.... Chris Lighty, president/CEO of Violator Records says the prominent sample of Michael McDonald's "I Keep Forgettin'" on "Regulate" is driving listener interest and stimulating airplay at top 40/rhythm-crossover stations.... The 23-year-old rapper and DJ seems to have all the right hip-hop connections. Born Warren Griffin III in Long Beach, Calif., he helped form the hip-hop collective Tha Dogg Pound (213) with Nate Dogg (also featured on "Regulate") and best friend Snoop Doggy Dogg, with whom Griffin grew up. He also is the half-brother of producer Dr. Dre. In addition to having produced a track for MC Breed ("Gotta Get Mine"), he also wrote, produced, and performed on Mista Grimm's "Indo Smoke" and 2Pac's "Definition of a Thug" from Epic's "Poetic Justice" soundtrack. Lighty says an undercurrent of conversation regarding Griffin was initiated on mix shows and with college DJs when they received vinyl versions of "Regulate" and the "Above The Rim" soundtrack.... Griffin says he does not consider himself a gangsta rapper, but is aware of the controversy surrounding the music and the performers. "It's foul because [the gangster rappers] tell what's really going on. The tabloids are telling people they influence youth to gang bang, but it's not like that," he says. Although he likes hardcore rap, Griffin believes artists should stick to the genre of hip-hop in which they started, instead of jumping on musical trends. "My music will fit in the market on the old-school tip," says Griffin. - Billboard (April 30, 1994). Revisit Warren G's debut LP below...
There were cuts on this album I really enjoyed, some I didn't. R.I.P. Nate Dogg.
