In the early ‘90s a new form of gangsta rap that blended funk music with slow harmonic tones and anti-authoritarian lyrics emerged on the West Coast. Pioneered by Dr. Dre and Death Row records, the “G-Funk” sound took hip-hop by storm and catapulted the careers of artists like Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube. But it was Dre’s step brother and Long Beach native, Warren G, who was one of the sub-genre’s greatest practitioners. The 1995 release of the hit single “Regulate”—featuring smooth-voiced Nate Dogg—garnered the duo a Grammy Award nomination and national acclaim.
Well, the decade has turned and the hip-hop sound may have changed, but this master rapper remains classic. Blaze a bowl (of your favorite legal tobacco blend, of course) and show love to the 213 by seeing this Regulator live in his hometown this weekend. Because nobody does it better.
Sat., Nov. 1, 8 p.m., 2008
