Warren Griffin III (born November 10, 1971) better known by his stage name Warren G, is an American West Coast rapper and hip hop producer. He is Dr. Dre's step brother. His biggest hit to date was the single "Regulate" with Nate Dogg released in 1994. The Grammy nominated song reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Music career
In 1990, Warren G formed the group 213 with Nate Dogg and Snoop Dogg. In 1992, Warren G introduced the group to his brother 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 for a while before releasing any group records, and the three artists pursued separate careers in the same style. 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. He also produced and rapped on Snoop Dogg's debut album Doggystyle.
Warren G's debut album Regulate... G Funk Era was released in 1994 on Def Jam. It was certified triple platinum in the United States and sold over 4.5 million units on soundscan worldwide. It featured the hit song "Regulate" featuring Nate Dogg, which samples Michael McDonald's classic hit, "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)." The lead single "Regulate" was certified platinum and peaked out at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Also on that disc was "This D.J.," a popular, track and hit video on MTV, and also a chart hit, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and being certified gold.
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," which became another top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold, the album was a commercial success achieving platinum status.
Together with Sissel Kyrkjebø they had a #1 hit across Europe in 1998 with Prince Igor, on the concept album The Rapsody Overture which combined American rappers with European opera singers. Sissel sang an aria from Borodin's opera Prince Igor during the chorus, while Warren G rapped.
I Want It All, released in 1999 and certified gold, 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, which helped the song to its peak of #13 on the Hot 100. Warren G fully embraced his less-gangsta image at this time.
The 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 and achieved gold status.
Music career
In 1990, Warren G formed the group 213 with Nate Dogg and Snoop Dogg. In 1992, Warren G introduced the group to his brother 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 for a while before releasing any group records, and the three artists pursued separate careers in the same style. 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. He also produced and rapped on Snoop Dogg's debut album Doggystyle.
Warren G's debut album Regulate... G Funk Era was released in 1994 on Def Jam. It was certified triple platinum in the United States and sold over 4.5 million units on soundscan worldwide. It featured the hit song "Regulate" featuring Nate Dogg, which samples Michael McDonald's classic hit, "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)." The lead single "Regulate" was certified platinum and peaked out at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Also on that disc was "This D.J.," a popular, track and hit video on MTV, and also a chart hit, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and being certified gold.
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," which became another top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold, the album was a commercial success achieving platinum status.
Together with Sissel Kyrkjebø they had a #1 hit across Europe in 1998 with Prince Igor, on the concept album The Rapsody Overture which combined American rappers with European opera singers. Sissel sang an aria from Borodin's opera Prince Igor during the chorus, while Warren G rapped.
I Want It All, released in 1999 and certified gold, 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, which helped the song to its peak of #13 on the Hot 100. Warren G fully embraced his less-gangsta image at this time.
The 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 and achieved gold status.
