Regulate... G Funk Era

{{Short description|1994 studio album by Warren G}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Regulate... G Funk Era | type = studio | artist = Warren G | cover = Regulate G Funk Era.jpg | alt = | released = June 7, 1994 | recorded = 1993–1994 | studio = {{hlist|Track Record, Inc. (North Hollywood, Los Angeles)|Saturn Sound (Burbank, California)|Sound City (Van Nuys, Los Angeles)|G-Child (Long Beach, California)}} | genre = {{hlist|West Coast hip-hop|gangsta rap|G-funk}} | length = 36:50 | label = {{hlist|Violator|RAL}} | producer = Warren G | prev_title = | prev_year = | next_title = Take a Look Over Your Shoulder | next_year = 1997 | misc = {{Singles | name = Regulate... G Funk Era | type = studio | single1 = Regulate | single1date = April 23, 1994 | single2 = This D.J. | single2date = July 5, 1994 | single3 = Do You See | single3date = October 29, 1994 }} }}

'''''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' (Every Time You're Near)" 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== {{Music ratings | subtitle = Initial reviews (in 1994) | rev1 = ''Chicago Tribune'' | rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|4}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1994-06-23-9406230302-story.html|title=Warren G: Regulate . . . G Funk Era (Violator/RAL)|work=Chicago Tribune|date=June 23, 1994|accessdate=May 29, 2020|last=Preston|first=Rohan B.}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Entertainment Weekly'' | rev2score = B+<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Warren G: Regulate...G Funk Era|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=June 24, 1994|pages=100–01}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Music Week'' | rev3score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Alan|last=Jones|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-08-06.pdf|title=Market Preview: Mainstream - Albums|magazine=Music Week|date=August 6, 1994|page=13|access-date=June 11, 2025}}</ref> | rev4 = ''NME'' | rev4score = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Ian|last=McCann|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53217904901/|title=Long Play|work=NME|date=July 30, 1994|page=48|access-date=October 1, 2023}}</ref> | rev5 = ''Q'' | rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Warren G: Regulate...G Funk Era|magazine=Q|issue=96|date=September 1994|page=117}}</ref> | rev6 = ''Rolling Stone'' | rev6score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/warreng/albums/album/252334/review/6212739/regulateg_funk_era|title=Warren G: Regulate...G Funk Era|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 11, 1994|accessdate=May 29, 2020|last=Fernando|first=S. H. Jr.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916185112/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/warreng/albums/album/252334/review/6212739/regulateg_funk_era|archive-date=September 16, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> | rev7 = ''Select'' | rev7score = {{rating|3|5|full=U+25A0.svg|empty=U+25A1.svg|rating=medal}}<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Gareth|last=Grundy|url=https://selectmagazinescans.monkeon.co.uk/showpage.php?file=wp-content/uploads/2014/06/albums43.jpg|title=New Albums|work=Select|date=September 1994|page=100|access-date=December 22, 2024}}</ref> | rev8 = ''Smash Hits'' | rev8score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Mark|last=Sutherland|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/smashhits90s/35879271604/in/album-72157685448015503/|title=New Albums: Best New Album|work=Smash Hits|date=August 17, 1994|page=53|access-date=October 4, 2024}}</ref> | rev9 = ''USA Today'' | rev9score = {{Rating|3|4}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Warren G, Regulate...G Funk Era|work=USA Today|date=July 12, 1994|last=Jones|first=James T. IV}}</ref> }} {{Music ratings | subtitle = Retrospective reviews (after 1994) | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/regulateg-funk-era-mw0000114797|title=Regulate...G Funk Era – Warren G|publisher=AllMusic|accessdate=May 29, 2020|last=Birchmeier|first=Jason}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Christgau's Consumer Guide'' | rev2score = B+<ref name="Christgau">{{cite book|chapter=Warren G: Regulate . . . G Funk Era|chapter-url=http://robertchristgau.com/get_album.php?id=4136|accessdate=May 29, 2020|title=Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s|title-link=Christgau's Consumer Guide: Albums of the '90s|last=Christgau|first=Robert|author-link=Robert Christgau|publisher=St. Martin's Griffin|year=2000|isbn=0-312-24560-2}}</ref> | rev3 = ''RapReviews'' | rev3score = 8/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/BTTL_warrengfunkera.html|title=Warren G :: Regulate... G-Funk Era :: Violator/Def Jam|work=RapReviews|date=February 16, 2010|accessdate=May 29, 2020|author=Pete T.}}</ref> }}

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."<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8X17JjiXfYYC|title=SPIN|date=1994-09-01|publisher=SPIN Media LLC|language=en}}</ref> ''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."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Strauss |first1=Neil |title=New Leaf for Gangster Rap |work=The New York Times |date=June 23, 1994 |page=C14}}</ref> Critic Robert Christgau commented positively regarding the coolly menacing nature of the music.<ref name="Christgau"/>

==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 (RIAA).

==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 {{Track listing | title1 = Regulate | note1 = featuring Nate Dogg | writer1 = {{hlist|Warren Griffin|Nathaniel Hale|Michael McDonald|Ed Sanford|Jerry Leiber|Mike Stoller|}} | length1 = 4:08 | title2 = Do You See | writer2 = {{hlist|W. Griffin|R. Brown}} | length2 = 3:59 | title3 = Gangsta Sermon | note3 = featuring B-Tip and Ricky Harris | writer3 = {{hlist|W. Griffin|R. Harris}} | length3 = 0:36 | title4 = Recognize | note4 = featuring the Twinz | writer4 = {{hlist|W. Griffin|D. Williams|D. Williams}} | length4 = 2:59 | title5 = Super Soul Sis | note5 = featuring Jah Skills | writer5 = W. Griffin | length5 = 2:56 | title6 = {{-'}}94 Ho Draft | note6 = featuring B-Tip and Ricky Harris | writer6 = {{hlist|W. Griffin|R. Harris}} | length6 = 1:00 | title7 = So Many Ways | writer7 = {{hlist|W. Griffin|D. Williams}} | length7 = 3:24 | title8 = This D.J. | writer8 = {{hlist|W. Griffin|C. Broadus}} | length8 = 3:23 | title9 = This Is the Shack | note9 = featuring the Dove Shack | writer9 = {{hlist|W. Griffin|M. Makonie|A. Blunt|G. Brown}} | length9 = 4:05 | title10 = What's Next | note10 = featuring Lil Malik | writer10 = {{hlist|W. Griffin|M. Edwards}} | length10 = 3:26 | title11 = And Ya Don't Stop | writer11 = W. Griffin | length11 = 3:22 | title12 = Runnin' wit No Breaks | note12 = featuring Jah Skills, Bo Roc, G Child and the Twinz | writer12 = W. Griffin | length12 = 3:32 | total_length = 36:50 }} {{Track listing | headline = *Special Bonus Tracks (Bonus CD in Special Version of 2007) | title1 = Regulate (Remix) | note1 = featuring Nate Dogg | length1 = 4:19 | title2 = Do You See (Stepz Remix) | length2 = 5:15 | title3 = Do You See (Old Skool Mix) | length3 = 5:17 | title4 = This D.J. (Remix) | note4 = featuring O.G.L.B. | length4 = 3:46 | title5 = This D.J. (Dobie's Rub Part 1) | note5 = featuring O.G.L.B. | length5 = 4:02 | title6 = What's Next (Instrumental) | length6 = 3:29 }} {{Track listing | headline = *Re-Release Bonus Tracks (2014)

| title1 = Regulate (Destructo & Wax Motif Remix) | note1 = featuring Motif | length1 = 4:56

| title2 = Regulate (Photek Remix) | note2 = featuring Nate Dogg | length2 = 3:54

| title3 = Regulate (Jauz Remix) | note3 = featuring Nate Dogg | length3 = 5:40 }}

==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== {{unreferenced section|date=July 2023}} '''"Regulate"''' * "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)" by Michael McDonald * "Sign of the Times" by Bob James * "Let Me Ride" by Dr. Dre

'''"Do You See"''' * "Bicentennial Blues" by Gil Scott-Heron * "Juicy Fruit" by Mtume * "Mama Used to Say" by Junior

'''"Super Soul Sis"''' * "Don't Stop (Ever Loving Me)" by One Way * "Why Have I Lost You" by Cameo * "Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang (Freestyle Remix)" by Snoop Dogg

'''"94 Ho Draft"''' * "Groove to Get Down" by T-Connection

'''"This Is The Shack"''' *"Ode to Billie Joe" by Lou Donaldson *"Pass the Dutchie" by Musical Youth

'''"This D.J."''' * "Curious" by Midnight Star * "Juicy Fruit" by Mtume * "Paid in Full" by Eric B. & Rakim

'''"And Ya Don't Stop"''' * "Janitzio" by Don Julian

'''"Runnin' wit No Breaks"''' * "Go On and Cry" by Les McCann and Eddie Harris * "N.T." by Kool & the Gang * "Tha Next Episode (Unreleased)" by Snoop Doggy Dogg and Dr. Dre

'''"So Many Ways"''' *"Take Your Time (Do It Right)" by the S.O.S. Band

'''"What's Next"''' *"Adventures of Super Rhyme (Rap)" by Jimmy Spicer *"Mind Blowing Decisions" by Heatwave *"Conjunction Junction" by Bob Dorough, featuring Jack Sheldon and Terri Morel

'''"Recognize"''' *"Doggy Dogg World" by Snoop Dogg, featuring Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, and the Dramatics *"Genius Is Back" by Mix Master Spade and Compton Posse

==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}

===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;" !scope="col"|Chart (1994) !scope="col"|Peak<br>position |- {{album chart|Australia|42|artist=Warren G|album=Regulate... G Funk Era|accessdate=March 14, 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Canada|27|chartid=2570|artist=Warren G|album=Regulate... G Funk Era|access-date=March 14, 2021|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|19|artist=Warren G|album=Regulate... G Funk Era|accessdate=March 14, 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Germany|id=19058|15|artist=Warren G|album=Regulate... G Funk Era|accessdate=March 14, 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|New Zealand|26|artist=Warren G|album=Regulate... G Funk Era|accessdate=March 14, 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|59|date=19940807|rowheader=true|access-date=April 2, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Sweden|12|artist=Warren G|album=Regulate... G Funk Era|accessdate=March 14, 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|UK2|25|artist=Warren G|date=19940731|accessdate=March 14, 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|UKR&B|9|date=19950226|rowheader=true|access-date=February 12, 2023}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|2|artist=Warren G|accessdate=March 14, 2014|rowheader=true}} |- {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|1|artist=Warren G|accessdate=March 14, 2014|rowheader=true}} |} {{col-2}}

===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center;" !scope="col"|Chart (1994) !scope="col"|Position |- !scope="row"|German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1994|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|language=de|work=GfK Entertainment|publisher=offiziellecharts.de|accessdate=May 3, 2021}}</ref> |73 |- !scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1994/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1994|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=June 17, 2021|archive-date=January 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123054246/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1994/the-billboard-200|url-status=live}}</ref> |32 |- !scope="row"|US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1994/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1994|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=May 3, 2021}}</ref> |9 |} {{col-end}}

'''Singles''' – Billboard (North America) {| class="wikitable" !align="left"|Year !align="left"|Single !align="left"|Chart !align="left"|Position |- |align="left"|1994 |align="left"|"Do You See" |align="left"|Billboard Hot 100 |align="left"|42 |- |align="left"|1994 |align="left"|"Regulate" |align="left"|Billboard Hot 100 |align="left"|2 |- |align="left"|1994 |align="left"|"This D.J." |align="left"|Billboard Hot 100 |align="left"|9 |}

== Certifications == {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|title=Regulate...G Funk Era|artist=Warren G|award=Gold|relyear=1994}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=album|title=Regulate...G Funk Era|artist=Warren G|award=Gold|source=infodisc|relyear=1994|certyear=1995|access-date=April 2, 2022}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|title=Regulate...G Funk Era|artist=Warren G|award=Silver|relyear=1994|id=5430-153-2}} {{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|title=Regulate ... G Funk Era|artist=Warren G|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=1994}} {{Certification Table Bottom}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20080125122937/http://www.geocities.com/gfunk213/warreng.html Warren G fansite]

Category:Warren G albums Category:1994 debut albums Category:Def Jam Recordings albums Category:Albums produced by Warren G Category:G-funk albums