"Regulate" Was Released 20 Years Ago Today

The G-Funk Era: Funked Out With a Gangster Twist.









The Video



On April 28, 1994, the single "Regulate" by Warren G And Nate Dogg was released and quickly shot to Number 2 on the Billboard Charts, selling 3 million copies in the US.

The song tells the story of one night in the life of Warren and Nate as they encounter gang violence and beautiful women in their hometown of Long Beach, California. The lyrics fluctuate between cocky boastfulness and a surprising vulnerability not often seen in rap music. Warren's tale of getting assaulted and then rescued by his friend Nate gives at least one verse of the song a sense of honesty and powerlessness.


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Warren G. is the step-brother of Dr. Dre. He was also childhood friends with Snoop Dogg, and along with Nate Dogg, formed a rap trio named 213. Snoop eventually left to become a solo sensation, leaving Warren and Nate to have huge success with "Regulate".




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Here's a sample:

On a cool, clear night (typical to Southern California) Warren G travels through his neighborhood, searching for women with whom he might initiate sexual intercourse. He has chosen to engage in this pursuit alone.

Nate Dogg, having just arrived in Long Beach, seeks Warren. Ironically, Nate passes a car full of women who are excited to see him. He insists to the women that there is no cause for excitement.

Warren makes a left at 21st Street and Lewis Ave, where he sees a group of young men enjoying a game of dice together. He parks his car and greets them. He is excited to find people to play with, but to his chagrin, he discovers they intend to relieve him of his material possessions. Once the hopeful thieves reveal their firearms, Warren realizes he is in a considerable predicament.

Meanwhile, Nate passes the women, as they are low on his list of priorities. His primary concern is locating Warren. After curtly casting away the strumpets (whose interest in Nate was such that they crashed their automobile), he serendipitously stumbles upon his friend, Warren G, being held up by the young miscreants.

Warren, unaware that Nate is surreptitiously observing the scene unfold, is in disbelief that he's being robbed. The perpetrators have taken jewelry and a name brand designer watch from Warren, who is so incredulous that he asks what else the robbers intend to steal. This is most likely a rhetorical question.

and so on...







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