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Warren G Interview!

Written by Justin Melo

Friday, 24 October 2008

It's been over 14 years since west coast veteran Warren G dropped his debut album Regulate...G-Funk Era. With Nate Dogg appearing on the lead single, "Regulate" went on to be a major hit which catapulted the album to selling over two million copies. Needless to say, the pressure was on Warren G to come back with an even bigger hit on his sophomore effort. The second studio effort from Warren G, Take a Look Over Your Shoulder was released three years after the debut and spawned hits such as "I Shot the Sheriff" and Smokin Me Out" which featured the legendary Ronald Isley; the album was certified gold, but failed to reach the success that Regulate...G-Funk Era had seen just three years earlier.

Warren G's career since then, has seen many up and downs, including the successful third album I Want It All and the less than impressive 213 group effort (alongside Snoop Dogg & Nate Dogg). With his last three albums being released on three separate record labels, Warren G has been through it all when it comes to label politics which includes a sour stint at Universal Records for his forth album, The Return Of The Regulator.

After his latest album In The Mid-Nite Hour was a successful independent project, Warren G has once again switched labels to yet another independent label to release his sixth studio effort The G-Files. The album will feature guest appearances from Ray J, Travis Barker and many more. Warren G took the time to talk about the new album in this exclusive interview.

Raptalk.Net: We are right here with the legendary Warren G! Let everybody know how you’re doing right now.

I’m chilling; trying to live in-between the sky and the earth and I’m not cussing dirt nowhere.

Raptalk.Net: Beautiful! Let’s get right into it; let the fans know the title of your new album and when it’s dropping.

It’s called The G-Files and it’s dropping on October 28^th. (Editor’s note: album has been pushed back).

Raptalk.Net: What label is distributing the project?

It’s actually an independent company called TTL. They are distributed through Koch Distribution.

Raptalk.Net: How did you end up on Koch?

Actually the company TTL called me and they were interested in doing an independent record with me. I was just like “let’s go.” We came to an agreement and after that it’s been on ever since.

Raptalk.Net: Everybody knows you as the master of making G-Funk records; tell us about the reasoning behind the title of the album The G-Files.

I mean I feel like The G-Files is my own little musical filing cabinet that you can pull out and you can pull out one of the files and it says “Crush.” The file “Crush” is a song talking about a lot of beautiful women and it’s featuring Ray J. Its just music you can dance to, music you can smoke to; it’s just all of the above and every one of those files has got that. That’s every song that’s on the record. Every song is a file and it’s talking about that type of thing – records you can groove to, smoke to; just have fun to. We’re going through hard times right now with this recession so people want to feel good. That’s what I’m about, making people feel good with my music.

Raptalk.Net: Tell us about that “Crush” record and how the Ray J collaboration came about?

I and Ray J always talked about doing a record together. I’ve known him for a long time. Two of my guys that I know that come to the studio to work with me; one of them was like “I think you should put Ray J on that record.” The other guy didn’t even know about that dude saying that so when the other cat heard the record he was like “you know who sound good on there? Ray J.” I was like “wow, two different people at two different times said the same thing” so that’s magic. I went and called Ray J and he came up to the studio and made the hook; the rest is history.

Raptalk.Net: And is that the official lead single for the project?

That is the official lead single. It’s a great record man. The response I’ve received from it is incredible and I thank everybody for supporting Warren G and I do try to give them great music every time I come out. I’m very honored and privileged that people love the record.

Raptalk.Net: Is a video going to be shot for that?

Ofcourse! The video is going to be hot. You already know there’s going to be a lot of beautiful women. We’re going to have a good time with it. It’s not going to be an explicit video but it’s going to be a nice video because the song is about a beautiful young lady. I love women, Ray J loves women – that’s what it’s about; I mean I love women.

Raptalk.Net: So that’s going to be something for BET and MTV and so on?

It will be for BET, MTV, VH1, MTV2, whatever; the internet – youtube, world star hip-hop, whatever. It doesn’t matter, it’s for all of them; that’s hip-hop – it’s for everything.

Raptalk.Net: You’ve always put out three other records on the internet. Will “Mr. President” “Virgin” and “Ringtone” still be appearing on the album?

No. “Mr. President” was a record I did with an up and coming artist that I was working with. I just produced the track and they rapped on it and did a song to it. “Virgin” was a record I did for one of my other cats named Halla. We just did those records just to do them. There not going to be on the album but I have incredible records on this album. I can’t wait for the people to hear it, it’s incredible. I have a lot of great appearances. I have Travis Barker on the drums on a song called “Put It in the Air.” I’m talking to Akon and his people. I’m talking to Cee-Lo and his people. I have a bunch of young cats on there that are hot and incredible; Halla, Blac Nic, BJ, Bad Lucc, Joonie, Trevor Wesley; I have a bunch of cats. I got two young hot producers that are incredible – THX and Nottz. They got down and produced a couple of songs on the record. It’s incredible, I love the record and I’m happy with it. I can’t wait for what’s to come when people hear it and see what’s really going on with the G-Child and The G-Files; I got to do it!

Raptalk.Net: You mentioned THX & Nottz producing on the album; I however imagine you’re handling the bulk of the production?

Yeah, I did the bulk of the production. That’s what I do, I don’t know if you know that or not.

Raptalk.Net: Ofcourse I know that.

Ok, well shit - it’s all good! (Laughs) I did about 98% of it and I gave THX a sample that would have been difficult for me to cut up so I gave it to him and he cut it up and put it together. It’s a song called “Mr. DJ” and it’s a dedication to all the DJ’s for playing my records and keeping me in the game for this long. I did a song… plus I’m a DJ! It’s a great record. Nottz produced a song called “Nasty.” That’s a record talking about women, you know sometimes they want to be nasty; probably all the time they want to be nasty! That doesn’t mean nasty in terms of dirty, filthy, and nasty. I’m talking about sexy nasty! Coming home after you’ve been working hard all day and coming in with ya’ man, y’all kick back and watch some DVD’s, maybe smoke a joint, sip some wine, nibble on some cheese; You know, something like that – you got to do it!

Raptalk.Net: (Laughs) I like that!

Yeah!

Raptalk.Net: How did you hook up with Travis Barker?

I and Travis Barker did a show together at the Roxy in Hollywood. I went in and rocked out with him. We performed “Regulate” and we rocked the crowd. I had a good time and I was like “man we need to do something together, we got a good chemistry.” He came to the studio the next day and we got in there; I let him hear the record and I did something for his album. That was it.

Raptalk.Net: How would you describe the overall sound of the record?

It’s G-Funk; you know what I’m saying? Straight up G-Funk. G-Funk is music you can smoke to, you can dance to, you can get crunk to, you can drive to and that’s pretty much what you can with this album. It’s all of the above.

Raptalk.Net: How would you compare this album to the last one, “In the Mid-Nite Hour?”

I got a lot more young and up and coming artists on this one. On the last one I had more known artists. As far as production, it’s hot just like it was on “In the Mid-Nite Hour.” That was an incredible record by the way; I can’t even lie about that one.

Raptalk.Net: I agree.

Yeah, I mean this one is good too. That’s what I try to do. I try to stay consistent and so far I’ve been consistent for 14 years; it’s seemed to work out and I love it. I’m going to continue to do that.

Raptalk.Net: Bishop Lamont held a very big role on the last record. Is there any artist on this album that will hold a similar role in terms of appearing on multiple songs?

It’s pretty much balanced out. Like I said, the guys that are rapping on it are Blac Nic, Halla, Bad Lucc – it’s pretty much balanced out.

Raptalk.Net: Are you still working with Bishop Lamont at this time?

Yeah! We’re planning on doing stuff before I close this record out. We’re planning on doing songs together. He’s been on the road and stuff so it’s been for us to really connect. We will connect and get it popping before I close out the record and before he finishes with his record.

Raptalk.Net: Does that mean we can we expect to see you on his upcoming “Reformation” album?

Most definitely!

Raptalk.Net: Have you had any recent contact with Nate Dogg and how is he doing?

Nate is doing fine! He’s doing his therapy and getting himself back in shape and back right. He’s great, he’s doing fine! We go through things in life and that is something that just happened. We’re going to put it down! (Important editor’s note: interview was completed before Nate Dogg suffered a 2^nd stroke).

Raptalk.Net: It’d be great if you could get him on the album.

I have songs already that I could put on there but I think I’m going to save them for the next record.

Raptalk.Net: So that means this is definitely not the last Warren G album?

This definitely won’t be the last Warren G album! I’m going to make records until I’m 80 years old.

Raptalk.Net: Are you doing any more shows in the near future?

Yeah! Right now one of my cats is setting up a promo run for me. That’s going to start maybe in November if I’m not mistaken, it’s November. I’m going to hit a lot of the cities and just come and do a good show for everybody that wants to hear the classics and the new records.

Raptalk.Net: OK. What is your current relationship like with Dr. Dre?

Our relationship is good! That’s my folk, that’s my brother! Our relationship is great. He’s a cool cat. He’s working on the “Detox” getting that right. It’s going to be a great record!

Raptalk.Net: Have you submitted any material for “Detox?”

I submitted a couple of songs. You know (Dr.) Dre; you have to go hard with it to get that record on there. I mean he’s not that difficult, you just have to come with it! I sent him a few records that he liked – if he is going to use them, I don’t know. He liked some of the records that I gave him.

Raptalk.Net: You mentioned doing something with Travis Barker for his album, are we going to see Warren G pop up on any other records as a guest in the near future?

(DJ) Felli Fel is doing an album, I’m going to get on that – Felli Fel from LA, and he’s a DJ. Big Syphe and DLUX produced a track that I’m going to get down on. Right now, the next thing… I’m just maybe doing production for these artists out here in the field.

Raptalk.Net: A song I want to ask you about that you leaked on your myspace page a while ago is “My Boo” with Knoc-turn’al. When was that record made and what album was it for?

That was made for… damn that record is old man! (Laughs). That was going to be for my forth album The Return Of The Regulator. I never used it. That’s a great record though, that record is hot - I should’ve used it for this album.

Raptalk.Net: To be honest, that is one my favorite all-time Warren G tracks. Why didn’t it make the cut? It got tremendous feedback when it was put on your myspace.

I mean it’s all good! My website www.warreng.com is under construction right now. It’ll be up pretty soon and I’m going to let a lot of people get a lot of exclusives like that – records that I never put out but there good. People can be looking for that. Also, they can holler at me on myspace, I’m going to open that up so people can put “Crush” on there profile right now! It’s going to be fun.

Raptalk.Net: Have you had any recent contact with Knoc-turn’al?

I talked to him a couple of times. We haven’t talked in some months. That’s my guy; he knows how to reach me. Will link up again in a little bit.

Raptalk.Net: How do you feel about the current state of hip-hop in the west coast?

I mean hip-hop in the west coast is great. You have Game doing this thing, Snoop (Dogg) doing his thing, (Ice) Cube doing his thing, (Dr.) Dre is working on his record. I’m working on my record The G-Files which will be out on October 28^th once again. I mean it’s a good thing!

Raptalk.Net: Do you have a personal favorite new west artist?

There ain’t any new west artists. You mean west coast artists?

Raptalk.Net: Yeah, west coast artists.

I like that song that Game has out, the one with Keyshia Cole. I like the record that Ice Cube put out “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It.”

Raptalk.Net: What about young artists such as Bad Lucc?

Bad Lucc is my guy! He’s off the chain. I like that record he has with BJ, Soopafly and Damani.

Raptalk.Net: As for my last question, let the fans know why they should go and cop “The G-Files” when it’s in stores?

Go cop The G-Files because it’s banging! Every track on there is banging! Every song is talking about something that you can relate to. The music is just off the chain.

Raptalk.Net: Do you have any other additional last words for the fans before I let you go?

I want everybody to go out and support The G-Files! It’s coming October 28^th. (Album has been pushed back). It’s a great record; go out and get it. It’s incredible - It’s a great record! Go out and support your boy! I’m independent and doing my thing!

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