Rewind: Warren G 'Regulate... G Funk Era'

This one was released 15 years ago as of the 7th of June, but it still has a few essential summertime cuts and sample its share of summertime bangers. This post will look at the songs and source material of Warren G's 1994 debut album 'Regulate... G Funk Era'.

The album's biggest single is the West Coast classic cut 'Regulate', which famously samples Michael McDonald's 1981 single 'I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)' as well as the title track from Bob James' 1981 album 'Sign of the Times'. On 'Do You See', Warren G and Nate Dogg rhyme over samples of Junior's hit single 'Mama Used to Say' and Mtume's hit single 'Juicy Fruit'. Warren G samples Cameo's 'Why Have I Lost You' and One Way's 'Don't Stop (Ever Loving Me)' on 'Super Soul Sis'. Finally, for 'Runnin' Wit No Breaks', Warren G uses the ever useful break from Kool and the Gang's 'N.T.' as well as Les McCann's 'Go On and Cry' from his 1974 album 'Another Beginning'.

Upon release, the album garnered high critical praise as well as swift opening week sales.

The Lowdown:
Warren G 'Regulate', 'Do You See', 'Super Soul Sis', and 'Runnin' Wit No Breaks'
from 'Regulate... G Funk Era' (1994) (MP3/CD)
Michael McDonald 'I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)'
from 'If That's What it Takes' (1981) (MP3/CD)
Bob James 'Sign of the Times'
from 'Sign of the Times' (1981) (MP3/CD)
Junior 'Mama used to Say'
from 'Ji' (1982) (MP3 not available/Import CD)
Mtume 'Juicy Fruit'
from 'Juicy Fruit' (1983) (MP3/CD)
Cameo 'Why Have I Lost You'
from 'We All Know Who We Are' (1977) (MP3/CD not available)
One Way 'Don't Stop (Ever Loving Me)'
from 'Lady' (1984) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
Kool and the Gang 'N.T.'
from 'Live at P.J.'s' (1971) (MP3/CD not available)
Les McCann 'Go On and Cry'
from 'Another Beginning' (1974) (MP3/CD)

Rewind: UGK 'Underground Kingz' (Part 1)

UGK's 2007 album 'Underground Kingz' is a mix of triumph and tragedy. The double disc album contained their highest charting single to date, an instant classic, but the album and breakthrough single were followed by the untimely death of UGK's Pimp C less than half a year later. This two part post will cover the sample basis of the seventh album by one of Texas' finest rap groups.

The album's undeniably hot hit single is the DJ Paul and Juicy J (of Three 6 Mafia fame) produced 'Int'l Players Anthem (I Choose You)', a lyrical collaboration between UGK and Outkast. Three 6's team samples Willie Hutch's soundtrack for the film 'The Mack' (yet again) for the track's soul sample: 'I Choose You'. Along with Three 6's own 'Stay Fly', they almost cast ownership on the ability to remake Willie Hutch's tracks into new chunks of chart gold. Though a modest hit (only cracking the Billboard 100 singles chart), the track is a true underground anthem.

Pimp C samples Latimore's 'Let's Straighten It Out' aptly for the vitriolic 'Quit Hatin' the South' which ramps up the threats of physical violence to Mobb Deep levels. 'How Long Can it Last' utilizes a sample from the relatively obscure track 'Something in the Past' by the 80s unit One Way along with Al Hudson. The MoMo produced track 'Two Type of B----es' features a guest spot from UK emcee Dizzee Rascal and flips a sample from Gladys Knight and the Pips' 1973 track 'Daddy Could Swear, I Declare'.

Check back for part two of our look at 'Underground Kingz'.

The Lowdown:
UGK 'Int'l Players Anthem (I Choose You)', 'Quit Hatin' the South', 'How Long Can it Last', and 'Two Type of B----es'
from 'Underground Kingz' (2007) (MP3/CD)
Clean Edits: 'Int'l Players Anthem (I Choose You)', 'Quit Hatin' the South', 'How Long Can it Last', and 'Two Type of B----es'
Willie Hutch 'I Choose You'
from 'The Mack' (1973) (MP3 not available/CD)
Latimore 'Let's Straighten it Out'
from 'More, More, More' (1974) (MP3 not available/CD not available)
One Way Featuring Al Hudson 'Something in the Past'
from 'One Way Featuring Al Hudson' (1980) (MP3 not available/Import CD)
Gladys Knight and the Pips 'Daddy Could Swear, I Declare'
from 'Neither One of Us' (1973) (MP3 not available/CD not available)