Warren G: Regulate…G Funk Era

IN THE early to mid ‘80s, two of the most successful rap records concerned vigilantism. The Rake’s 'Street Justice' and Kool Moe Dee’s 'Wild Wild West' were rich, melodic bits of black songcraft, wedding spare, bass-heavy funk to evocative narrative poetry. Now 'Regulate' — first unveiled on the Above the Rim soundtrack album, but included here as well — by Warren G (Griffin) and Nate Dogg (Hale) has climbed to the top of the charts by tapping classic territorial imperatives near and dear to the black community’s heart.