Regulate (song)
Encyclopedia
"Regulate" is a 1994 song performed by Warren G
and Nate Dogg
. Released in the summer of 1994, the track appears on the soundtrack to the film Above the Rim
and later Warren G.'s album Regulate...G Funk Era. The song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #8 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart. It is considered the breakout single for both artists and makes heavy use of a four-bar sample of the rhythm of Michael McDonald
's song "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)
".
The music video featured scenes from the movie Above the Rim
including an appearance by Tupac Shakur
.
It was number 98 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop and at number 108 on Pitchfork Media's
Top 200 Tracks of the 90s.
. However, in a recent interview Warren G claims to have recorded the song in his apartment.
During much of the summer of 1994, the video stayed number one on the MTV charts. In the video as played on MTV, the lyrics are censored with the word "cold" being blanked from the line "Nate Dogg is about to make some bodies turn cold"; an action that Spin
equated with racism because more explicit songs by white artists like Johnny Cash
were not being censored. The video contained "everyday footage" from the film Above the Rim, as well as new footage, although guest vocalist Nate Dogg did not appear due to conflict between Suge Knight and Def Jam.
The lyrics have been described as "a surreal pastiche of half-sung lyrics about fighting and fucking". Craig Marks recommended Regulate for its "lite rock synth lines and rippling base" but thought that Warren G's rapping abilities were "average".
1995 Grammy Awards
Warren G
Warren G , is an American West Coast rapper and hip hop producer. He is also Dr. Dre's half-brother.His biggest hit is the song "Regulate" with Nate Dogg released in 1994...
and Nate Dogg
Nate Dogg
Nathaniel Dwayne Hale , better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician. He is noted for his membership of rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Warren G, Tupac and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk...
. Released in the summer of 1994, the track appears on the soundtrack to the film Above the Rim
Above the Rim
Above the Rim is a 1994 drama directed by Jeff Pollack. The screenplay was written by Pollack and journalist-turned-screenwriter Barry Michael Cooper , from a story by Pollack and Benny Medina....
and later Warren G.'s album Regulate...G Funk Era. The song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #8 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart. It is considered the breakout single for both artists and makes heavy use of a four-bar sample of the rhythm of Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald (singer)
Michael McDonald is a five-time Grammy Award winning American singer and songwriter. McDonald is known for a soulful baritone singing style and a multi-octave range. He began his career singing back-up vocals with Steely Dan...
's song "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)
I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)
"I Keep Forgettin' " is a song by American singer-songwriter Michael McDonald, from his debut album If That's What It Takes. It was written by McDonald and Ed Sanford...
".
The music video featured scenes from the movie Above the Rim
Above the Rim
Above the Rim is a 1994 drama directed by Jeff Pollack. The screenplay was written by Pollack and journalist-turned-screenwriter Barry Michael Cooper , from a story by Pollack and Benny Medina....
including an appearance by Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
.
It was number 98 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop and at number 108 on Pitchfork Media's
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
Top 200 Tracks of the 90s.
Single
- "Regulate" - Warren GWarren GWarren G , is an American West Coast rapper and hip hop producer. He is also Dr. Dre's half-brother.His biggest hit is the song "Regulate" with Nate Dogg released in 1994...
(feat. Nate DoggNate DoggNathaniel Dwayne Hale , better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician. He is noted for his membership of rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Warren G, Tupac and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk...
) - "Pain" - 2Pac (feat. StretchStretchStretch can refer to:*Stretching is a form of exercise or a pre-exercise discipline, sometimes called Warming up*Stretch ceiling, a type of ceiling made from polymer.*Stretch ratio in the mechanics of materials*Stretched tuning of certain string instruments...
) - "Mi Monie Rite" - Lord G
- "Loyal to the Game" - 2Pac (feat. TreachTreachAnthony Criss , better known by his stage name Treach, is an American rapper and actor. He is best known as the lead rapper of the hip hop group Naughty by Nature.-Career:...
, Riddler)
Personnel
The song label says it was recorded and mixed at Track Record, Inc. in North Hollywood, California by Greg Geitzenauer, with bass by Andreas Straub, keyboards by Greg Geitzenauer, remixing by Marcus McAdam; with additional recording at G-Child Studio in Long Beach, CaliforniaLong Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
. However, in a recent interview Warren G claims to have recorded the song in his apartment.
Impact and analysis
"Regulate" became Def Jam's biggest single.During much of the summer of 1994, the video stayed number one on the MTV charts. In the video as played on MTV, the lyrics are censored with the word "cold" being blanked from the line "Nate Dogg is about to make some bodies turn cold"; an action that Spin
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
equated with racism because more explicit songs by white artists like Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
were not being censored. The video contained "everyday footage" from the film Above the Rim, as well as new footage, although guest vocalist Nate Dogg did not appear due to conflict between Suge Knight and Def Jam.
The lyrics have been described as "a surreal pastiche of half-sung lyrics about fighting and fucking". Craig Marks recommended Regulate for its "lite rock synth lines and rippling base" but thought that Warren G's rapping abilities were "average".
Awards and nominations
1995 MTV Movie Awards- Best Movie Song — Regulate by Warren G. & Nate Dogg (nominated)
1995 Grammy Awards
Grammy Awards of 1995
The 37th Grammy Awards were presented March 1, 1995. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year.-Award winners:*Record of the Year**Bill Bottrell & Sheryl Crow for "All I Wanna Do"*Album of the Year...
- Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group - Regulate by Warren G. and Nate Dogg (nominated)
Peak positions
| Chart (1994) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 2 |
| Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | 7 |
| Hot Rap Singles | 1 |
| Irish Singles Chart | 5 |
| Chart (2011) | Position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
45 |
End of year charts
| End of year chart (1994) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 22 |
Remixes and covers
- JadakissJadakissJason Phillips , better known as Jadakiss, is an American rapper. He is a member of the group The LOX. Jadakiss is one of the three owners of the imprint known as D-Block. In early 2007, Jadakiss signed to Roc-a-Fella Records / Def Jam Records.-Early life:By the age of 16, Jadakiss was a freestyle...
used the beat and teamed up with Nate Dogg in his song "Kiss Is Spittin'" from his album Kiss tha Game GoodbyeKiss tha Game Goodbye-Samples:*"Show Discipline"**"I've Been Watching You" by Southside Movement*"Put Your Hands Up"**"Boogieman" by Jackson 5*"We Gonna Make It"**"My Music" by Samuel Jonathan Johnson*"Kiss Is Spittin'"...
. - The song has been covered live by Umphrey's McGeeUmphrey's McGeeUmphrey's McGee is an American progressive rock jam band based in Chicago whose music is often referred to as "progressive improvisation", or "improg" ....
as early as 2007.