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Warren G


Real Name: Warren Griffen III
D.O.B.: November 10, 1970 Long Beach, California

Label: Def Jam Recordings

Warren G is an original G-Funk West Coast rapper producer. He is known for his close association with the legendary producer/rapper Dr. Dre as his step-brother from childhood, Snoop Dogg and the former Death Row Records. As a solo artist he has many hits to his credit and continues the traditions of G-Funk hip-hop.

In 1991, Warren G formed the group 213 with Nate Dogg and Snoop Dogg. Warren G introduced the group to his stepbrother Dr. Dre. Dr. Dre was impressed and signed Snoop Dogg to his and Suge Knight's record company, Death Row Records. Thus, 213 broke up before releasing any records, and the three artists pursued separate careers. Even though Death Row Records did not sign Warren G, his career began with some contributions to Dr. Dre's album The Chronic, released 1992. Warren G was a regular contributor to many Death Row albums. In 1993, Warren G produced the track Indo Smoke featuring himself, Nate Dogg, and Mista Grimm.

Warren G's debut album Regulate... G Funk Era was released during 1994 on the Def Jam label and reached triple platinum status. 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 fellow 213 member Nate Dogg. The album received positive reviews from critics with Robert Christgau in particular commenting positively regards the coolly menacing nature of the music. It debuted on the second rank in the Billboard 200 after selling 176,000 in retail in its release week. It was certified triple platinum.

He followed up with "Take a Look Over Your Shoulder (Reality)" in 1997, which took his mellow approach and brought it even further into the mainstream. Scoring a hit with a rap remake of "I Shot the Sheriff," the album was a mid-level commercial success selling gold.

I Want It All, released in 1999, represented a substantive if not commercial comeback for Warren G. Widely regarded as his most consistent record, this offered a jazz-rock fusion style and a host of guests including Mack 10, Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, and Eve. The first single, "I Want It All," sampled the song "I Like It" performed by DeBarge, which had a hit video that entered into heavy rotation on MTV and VH1. Warren G fully embraced his less-gangsta image at this time.

Return of the Regulator was released in 2001, but Universal did not promote the album and it flopped in sales. In 2003 Warren G, Snoop Dogg, and Nate Dogg reunited 213 and recorded the album The Hard Way with the single "Groupie Luv". The album was released in 2004 and entered at #4 on the Billboard charts.

Warren G released a new album on October 11, 2005, called In the Mid-Nite Hour on an independent label. In December 2005, he signed with UniqueInc LTD (UK) for the UK & Éire, Craze Productions of London is doing the digital distribution and sales on Mobile and online and Hawino Records for the North America release. Warren G is also working on an album with a young producer by the alias of Classic. Warren G stated he will get into this album once he is finished with the show called Celebrity Fit Club

In 2006, Warren G produced the theme song for Ice Cube's TV show, Black. White..

Discography:

  • 1994 Regulate...G Funk Era (Chart Positions: #1) RIAA certification: 3xPlatinum
  • 1997 Take a Look Over Your Shoulder (Chart Positions: #4) RIAA certification: Gold
  • 1999 I Want It All (Chart Positions: #4) RIAA certification: Gold
  • 2001 The Return of the Regulator (Chart Positions: #4) RIAA certification: None
  • 2005 In the Mid-Nite Hour (Chart Positions: #15) RIAA certification: None

  • With 213 (Snoop Dogg & Nate Dogg)

  • 2004 Three The Hard Way (Chart Positions: #1) RIAA certification: Gold