Warren G – Regulate… G Funk Era (1994)
There are albums that find you at the right time, at the right age, and once they do, they never really let go.
For me, that album was Regulate… G Funk Era by Warren G.
I didn’t grow up during the golden era of G-funk. I found it way later—2008, maybe 2009. Middle school. A friend had put me on to a website where you could download albums for free (shout-out to the eMule and Limewire kids but this was something else). The first thing I grabbed was The G-Files by Warren G, his 2009 album. I already knew the song Regulate, but back then, I thought Warren G was the singer and Nate Dogg was the rapper.
Off to a great start.
The Album
Regulate… G Funk Era dropped in 1994, right at the peak of the West Coast’s dominance. Dr. Dre had already released The Chronic and Snoop Dogg was a superstar with Doggystyle. And here came Warren G, making G Funk too, but in his own lane: smoother, less dark, but still undeniably good.
If you’ve ever heard G-funk, you know the classic sound: sine waves, synth leads, thick basslines, funk samples or interpolations (Parliament, Zapp, Isaac Hayes), and that magic drum bounce.
What Warren G did on this record wasn’t just G-funk the classic way. It was his version, his world. More about stories, street life, sure, but also parties, late-night drives, real-life reflections and nostalgia. All wrapped up in some of the smoothest production the West ever offered.
The Tracklist
If I had to pick one track, it would be This D.J. The definition of smoothness.
Everything about it feels right. The loop, the chords, the bounce of the drums, that lead melody, Warren G’s laid-back delivery. The whole track feels like it’s leaning back in its chair, nodding along, completely unbothered by the noise outside.
But honestly, any track on this album could be my favorite depending on the day.
Regulate probably has the most iconic beat of that whole era. Instantly recognizable. Nate Dogg is flawless. He became one of my all-time favorites. Do You See gives a completely new identity to that classic Mtume Juicy Fruit drum break.
The skits on the album are hilarious. Gangsta Sermon, 94’ Ho Draft… they give the whole project even more personality.
Recognize is hypnotic. That lead melody looping forever while The Twinz flow perfectly on top of it. Super Soul Sis is another standout, not just for the insane beat but for Jah-Skillz’s wild delivery and voice.
I love So Many Ways for its bassline and that weird clap. And This Is the Shack too, the smoothness of the melodies, the vocal lines, that snare roll that keeps coming back. That track actually led me to discover The Dove Shack, which brought me to their classic, Summertime in the L.B.C. Still one of my favorite songs to this day.
What’s Next leans into the darker side of G-funk beat-wise, but Warren G and Mr. Malik balance it out with their delivery. Smooth but sharp.
And Ya Don't Stop is another great track, it feels more old-school. I found out the beat was actually the original version of Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat from Dr. Dre's The Chronic (link).
The posse cut Runnin' Wit No Brakes is pure group energy. It feels like an open-mic crew, everyone bringing their own flavor. I also learned this beat was originally meant for a Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg track called The Next Episode, probably during the Doggystyle sessions (link).
Why It Stuck With Me
I was a kid in middle school when I heard this album for the first time. I didn’t understand all the references, didn’t know the full history behind G-funk, Death Row, or the Long Beach scene. But I felt it.
That’s the thing about music like this: you don’t need the backstory to catch the vibe.
Over time, as I learned more about the era, about Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, the whole West Coast ecosystem and the craft behind the production, my respect for Regulate… G Funk Era only grew. But it was always the sound that pulled me in first.
That’s why it still holds up today.