On this date three decades ago, Death Row Records producer and Dr. Dre’s brother Warren G dropped his debut album ‘Regulate…G Funk Era’.
Executive produced by the late Chris Lighty, The Def Jam/Violator signee took his solo act on the road and brought it cross country to NYC to distinguish himself from the rest of his legendary peers from Death Row Records. The strategy worked, with the album being certified platinum by the RIAA two years following its release.
The album’s title track is by far the most memorable track from the album, however, another track entitled “So Many Ways” made it into the 1995 Martin Lawrence/Will Smith silver screen smash Bad Boys.
Salute to Warren G, the late Nate Dogg, the late Chris Lighty, Dr. Dre, the Violator squad and Def Jam for this timeless piece of Hip Hop History!
Snoop Dogg is known for being a prolific artist, as he featured on hundreds of songs and made a ton of tracks for his solo catalog. He has already been a part of a new album from his close pals, Tha Dogg Pound, called W.A.W.G. (We All We Got). D-O-G-G was on eight of Kurupt and Daz Dillinger’s 14 cuts and in addition, he has a solo release today. For this single, “Cali 2 Canada”, Snoop Dogg is working with more California greats, this time in the form of Warren G.
While there is a chance this is just a loosie, this record does have some affiliation with something larger. According to Vibe, Snoop and Warren will be heading up to our friends up north in Canada. In fact, they will be making their way up there in just a couple of days, as the Cali To Canada Tour begins on June 3. It features 11 dates and will go through June 25 in Vancouver.
Listen To “Cali 2 Canada” By Snoop Dogg & Warren G
Also joining them is the equally pivotal figure DJ Quik, so it should be one heck of a tour. On “Cali 2 Canada”, Snoop Dogg and Warren G are trading bars with ease and providing the ol’ reliable bounce of G-funk. This track may not be anything too special, but it is a solid formula that both artists have nailed throughout the course of their storied careers. You can check out the single with the link above.
What are your thoughts on “Cali 2 California” by Snoop Dogg and Warren G? Is this the best song that Snoop has been a part of today, why or why not? Do you think a new album could be in the works? What was your favorite aspect of the track? Who had the better performance? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Snoop Dogg and Warren G. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Quotable Lyrics:
These n****s keep singin’ like makin’ a band For instance, my interests, we makin’ it grand Snoop and Warren, we tourin’ again, soarin’ again Flyin’ to the highest of heights A lot of motherf***ers wanna try to live this life But they can’t, and they won’t
Warren G is Death Row royalty. The rapper was one of the key members of the West Coast crew, courtesy of hits like “Regulate” and “This DJ.” According to Death Row co-founder Suge Knight, however, Warren G didn’t always get along with his peers. During the April 14 episode of Knight’s podcast, Collect Call With Suge Knight, he claimed that Warren G was beaten up by his own step brother, Dr. Dre. The claim that was denied by the Regulator himself.
Suge Knight started the episode by reflecting on Death Row’s heyday, but things took a turn for the awkward when Knight switched to the Warren G story. “You know when you was trying to use the phone when you wasn’t supposed to in front of Andre — your brother — slapped your a*s around,” he stated. “You start[ed] saying, ‘Okay blood. Okay blood. Please don’t do it no more, I’m sorry.’ You can say that that didn’t happen, but everybody knows it’s true.”
Despite Knight’s insistence that the incident was true, Warren G wasn’t having it. The rapper hopped on Instagram to call out Knight. “History would repeat itself, because n***a you wasn’t the only n***a in the room, n***a,” he reasoned. “You wasn’t by yourself. It was other people in the room, too. I’m not gonna say no names because like you said, we don’t talk…So why you on here talking? Let that sh*t go, man.” Warren G also criticized Knight’s reputation as a tough guy. He claims he defended Death Row’s honor whenever Knight got into trouble in the 1990s. “When you was at the comedy store,” Warren G added. “Fighting that little buff a*s n***a, who saved your muthaf***in ass? Me.”
To call Suge Knight’s reputation dubious would be an understatement. The ex-bodyguard is currently serving 28 years in prison, and will not be eligible for parole until 2034. Warren G, meanwhile, is getting ready to go on tour with fellow West Coast icons Snoop Dogg and DJ Quik. The trio will be embarking on the Cali To Canada tour, which kicks off June 3rd in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Snoop Dogg is a busy man. He’s been one of the hardest working figures in hip-hop history since he arrived on the scene, and he’s going to maintain his packed schedule with an upcoming tour in Canada. Snoop announced the tour on his Instagram, which will bear the catchy title of the “Cali to Canada Tour.” To really hammer the point home, the Doggfather is wearing a maple leaf hockey jersey on the poster. Snoop’s opening acts will be fellow west coast legends DJ Quik and Warren G.
The tour will span several Canadian cities, including Toronto, Calgary, Quebec City and Montreal. This is not the first time Snoop has toured the Sunshine Province, as he went on a joint tour with Wiz Khalifa in summer 2023. What makes the “Cali to Canada Tour” different, however, is the emphasis on cities in the rural Prairie province. There will be 11 dates in total, starting with Halifax on June 3 and ending with Vancouver on June 25.
It’s a great time to book tickets to a Snoop show. The rapper is experiencing a career renaissance between the 30th anniversary of his album Doggystyle and the anticipation for his upcoming album with Dr. Dre, Missionary. Snoop and Dre are selling Missionary as a spiritual sequel to Doggystyle, as evidenced by its personnel and suggestive album title. Snoop talked about the recording process for Missionary during an appearance on All the Smoke with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. He praised Dre for challenging him as a rapper, and bringing out the “grown” side of his songwriting.
Tickets for the “Cali to Canada Tour” go on sale at 10 am on Friday, April 5th. The presale for the tickets kicks off on Thursday, April 4th, with additional pre-sale options throughout the week. Snoop also gave fans a code (“CALI2CANADA”) that will expedite the ticket buying process on sites like Ticketmaster. If you don’t get to see Snoop in Canada, the rapper will also be performing at the Lovers & Friends festival. The festival will be held in Las Vegas on May 4, and tickets are currently available.
On this date in 2011 in Long Beach, California, Nathaniel Hale, better known as rap/R&B crooner Nate Dogg, died from complications after suffering several strokes. He was 41 years old.
Introduced to the rap game by his Long Beach homie Snoop Dogg via their trio 213, which was the group that was brought to Dr. Dre by his little brother Warren G that made everyone in the trio West Coast legends. Nate was a trailblazer in the rap/R&B fusion, with smash hits with Fabolous, Mobb Deep, Mos Def, Ludacris and many more, earning four Grammy nods.
Salute and condolences to the entire 213 family from the Mind Squad, The Source Magazine and the entire Northstar Media Group. Nate was an intricate member of our culture and will truly be missed.
Veteran West Coast rapper Lichelle Marie Laws, better known as ’90s pioneer Boss, has reportedly died at the age of 54. According to multiple peers via Instagram, including Bun B, DJ Premier, and Warren G, news of the vet rapper’s passing came on Monday (March 11).
Although Boss was the first female rapper signed to the short-lived Def Jam West division of the groundbreaking label, she was originally born in Detroit. She relocated to Los Angeles after graduating high school, recording early work with DJ Quik and AMG. That work caught the attention of Russell Simmons, who signed her to the then-new West Coast division of Def Jam.
Her first and only album on the label, Born Gangstaz, released on May 25, 1993, and debuted at No. 22 on the Billboard 200. It debuted at No. 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and produced two singles: “Deeper” and “Recipe Of A Hoe.” Its ironic content made light of Boss’ middle-class upbringing with the unrelenting gangsta rap themes popular at the time in a commentary on the twisted expectations and stereotypes placed on rappers (and Black folks as a whole) in the early ’90s.
She eventually left Def Jam after the label rejected demos for a follow-up and became a radio DJ. She released two self-funded mixtapes in the 2000s. However, from 1999 on, she suffered from renal disease; in 2021, a GoFundMe created to raise $15,000 for a needed procedure was able to reach its goal only after it was publicized by NME.
Warren G’s story is a musical odyssey that began on the sun-kissed streets of Long Beach, California. Immersed in a community teeming with musical creativity, he found his voice and calling in hip-hop. Partnering with icons like Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, his early collaborations set the stage for a career that would influence a generation. The path to a net worth of $8 million in 2024, as reported by WealthyGorilla, had been laid. However, it would be filled with twists and turns.
Regulating The Charts: Hits, Collaborations & Milestones
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 10: Warren G performs during the V101.1 Holiday Jam. At Golden 1 Center on December 10, 2022 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)
The name Warren G is synonymous with the G-Funk era, a distinctive sound that blended melodic hooks with hard-hitting beats. His debut album, Regulate… G Funk Era, became a defining work, with the single “Regulate” reaching legendary status. Collaborations with artists like Nate Dogg only enhanced his reputation as a musical innovator. Yet, Warren G’s creativity didn’t stop there; his evolution as an artist and producer continued to shape the hip-hop landscape, cementing his place in musical history.
Behind The Mic: Personal Struggles & Triumphs
Josh Groban, Snoop Dogg, Bobby Brown and Warren G during 32nd Annual American Music Awards. Backstage and Audience at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. ***Exclusive*** (Photo by KMazur/WireImage)
Warren G’s rise to fame was not without its challenges. The pressures of the music industry, personal struggles, and hip-hop’s ever-changing landscape led to periods of introspection and self-discovery. Yet, Warren G’s passion for his craft never waned through it all. His resilience and commitment to his artistic vision have been instrumental in forging a career that remains relevant and respected.
Beats & Business: Entrepreneurial Moves
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 21: Warren G performs during warm ups prior to the game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Los Angeles Kings in Game Three. Of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 21, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NHLI via Getty Images)
Warren G’s talents aren’t confined to the recording studio. His business acumen has seen him venture into various entrepreneurial endeavors, contributing to his financial success. From his own record label to investments in technology and entertainment, his ability to spot opportunities has been key to building his wealth. These ventures reveal a mind attuned not just to the beats of music but to the rhythms of business.
Further, Warren G’s connection to his community runs deep, and his philanthropic efforts are a testament to his commitment to giving back. Supporting education, youth programs, and various community initiatives, he has used his platform to make a positive impact. This aspect of his life reflects a sense of responsibility and a desire to contribute to the well-being of others, underlining his multifaceted persona.
The G-Funk Legacy: A Career Wrapped In Rhythm
Nate Dogg and Warren G during People’s Liberation Launch Party Hosted by Eve – Arrivals in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by J.Sciulli/WireImage)
Warren G’s contributions to hip-hop have left an indelible mark on the genre. With a net worth of $8 million in 2024, as confirmed by WealthyGorilla, his financial success reflects his enduring influence. A pioneer, a collaborator, a businessman, and a community advocate, Warren G’s legacy is one of creativity, resilience, and an unwavering belief in the power of music.
On this date in 1992, Dr. Dre released his debut solo album The Chronic on his own Death Row Records imprint, which was distributed by Priority Records. This album introduced the world to the Death Row experience, G-Funk infused Hip Hop and the one and only Snoop Doggy Dogg.
Recorded in Death Row Studios in L.A., The Chronic album was created under the influence of some of the most powerful marijuana in the United States during that time, hence, the title. It was also fueled by Dre’s relentless passion to show his former crewmates from N.W.A. that he could make it on his own as well as prove to the world that he could do more than just make dope beats.
Timeless tracks where Dre shined on the lyrical side include “Let Me Ride”, “Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang” along with Snoop, and “The Day The Niggaz Took Over”, where Daz, Dre, and RBX went in about racial tensions during the 1992 L.A. riots.
Even with its conceptual perfection and trailblazing sound, which left an open market for artists like The Dogg Pound, 213, and Warren G., The Chronic is still Dre’s second best-selling album behind The Chronic: 2001, which went sextuple platinum.
Salute to everyone at Death Row Records who contributed to this gangsta rap classic! Cali love!!
The iconic G-Funk emerged in the early ‘90s, pioneered by acts like Dr. Dre, N.W.A., and Warren G. The Dove Shack made their appearance further down the decade. While the group cannot be regarded as originators of the genre, they certainly contributed to its development in the late ‘90s. Moreover, their debut album, This Is the Shack, helped push the sound further, solidifying the presence of G-Funk.
One-third of the trio, C-Knight, unfortunately passed away on November 7, 2023, due to complications of a stroke. The rapper’s death is certainly a blow to his family and friends. Rest in peace to the Long Beach legend. Although The Dove Shack is far from its early days in the mid-’90s, we’re looking back at one of the most exciting underground G-Funk groups of rap’s Golden Era.
Putting The Dove Shack Together
The Dove Shack was formed in the early 1990s in Long Beach, California. At its inception, the group members included Bo-Rock, 2Scoops, and the late C-Knight. All three members grew up with an ardent interest in Hip Hop and soon found themselves rapping together. Long Beach, a significant hub for West Coast Hip Hop, played a crucial role in bringing them together. Equally, the hub helped in shaping the group’s musical style.
It was through their affiliation with Warren G’s label, G-Funk Entertainment, that the group first gained recognition in 1995. Even back then, it took a lot to grasp listeners’ attention. Especially considering that many burgeoning rap stars were rising in the scene. With this in mind, it’s apparent that Warren G’s help was indispensable to The Dove Shack.
Warren G, a prominent figure in Hip Hop, contributed to the group’s early success by collaborating with them on “This Is the Shack.” The song was featured on Warren’s debut album Regulate… G Funk Era, and helped introduce listeners to The Dove Shack. Subsequently, the trio released their first album under G-Funk Entertainment, marking a proper entry into the Hip Hop industry.
This Is The Shack & More
Following their feature on Warren G’s track “This Is the Shack,” the group dropped their debut album of the same name. It was released on August 22, 1995, and peaked at No. 68 on the Billboard 200 chart. While it received mixed reviews from critics, it certainly had a few standout tracks that got shoutouts nonetheless. The most acclaimed track on the project was “Summertime in the LBC” ft. Arnita Porter, which was also the lead single. It received praise from critics and climbed to No. 54 on the Hot 100 chart.
“Summertime in the LBC” became a West Coast anthem, showcasing the group’s smooth style and laidback flow. The Dove Shack did not release any other projects in the ‘90s. Their sophomore album, Reality Has Got Me Tied Up, was released over a decade later, in 2006. This album featured guest appearances from Nate Dogg, Goldie Loc, and Kam, among others. However, it unfortunately did not achieve the same level of success as the first album. While all three group members went on to release solo projects between 2001 and 2015, Reality Has Got Me Tied Up was their last project as The Dove Shack.
West Coast G-Funk Legends
LONG BEACH, CA – AUGUST 05: Rapper C-Knight of The Dove Shack performs onstage during the Summertime in the LBC festival on August 5, 2017 in Long Beach, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
Despite their limited commercial success, The Dove Shack undeniably impacted G-Funk in the late ‘90s. Additionally, their music resonates with fans who appreciate their laidback style and catchy beats. Although the group’s mainstream success was limited to their earlier years, they will always be remembered by fans of classic West Coast Hip Hop.
Warren G recently say down for an episode of Drink Champs. During the interview, he spoke on a number of things. one in particular being his connection to 2pac. was gonna try to bail [2Pac] out. I got beat to the punch. I was going to put up the money and I didn’t want nothing, I swear to God,” he said during the episode. While the story seems nice at first, someone even closer to Pac emerged to refute the story and claim Warren was lying.
During the first episode of Collect Call With Suge Knight, Suge himself addressed Warren’s claims. “Warren G, best stop lying — you didn’t fuck with ’Pac and ’Pac didn’t fuck with you. On top of that, you couldn’t take care of yourself, how were you gonna get ’Pac out of prison? Everybody, all of a sudden, they want to get ’Pac out of prison,” he responded. It’s one of many times that Suge has come to the defense of 2pac recently. With his name back in the news a lot, the rapper’s former manager is attempting to make sure nobody misuses his name and legacy. Listen to the full podcast clip below.
The way Suge Knight has tried to defend 2pac contrasts with another recent story about him. Pac’s former manager claimed in a recent interview that the rapper had been “exploited financially” by Suge. She claimed to have witnessed the exploitation first hand, seeing Pac being taken advantage of with her own eyes.
Another former 2pac ally, Napoleon, is also standing up for the late rapper. He called out a handful of people, Snoop Dogg among them, for the way they talk about Pac today. “They do it in such a slick way so you can be like, ‘Oh wow, he’s not a hater,” he said. What do you think of Suge Knight’s claim that 2pac and Warren G never liked each other? Let us know in the comment section below.
